JP2001242410A - Perforation forming apparatus and forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To form horizontal perforations at desired variable intervals as necessary while ensuring a sufficiently high perforation forming speed. A laser light source (1) for oscillating a laser beam (2) and scanning means (6, 8) for scanning the laser beam on a sheet (9) along a predetermined scanning surface. And control means (7) for controlling the scanning timing of the scanning means. By controlling the scanning timing of the scanning means, the interval between the first perforation formed by the first scanning and the second perforation formed by the subsequent second scanning can be set to a desired variable interval. Set to.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for forming perforations, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for forming horizontal perforations of continuous paper by laser processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a so-called continuous form is used as an output form of a computer. The continuous paper is a paper that extends long in one direction, and has a large number of horizontal perforations formed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, that is, in the width direction. Normally, the interval between two adjacent horizontal perforations (distance along the longitudinal direction: perforation interval) is constant, and the same size is obtained when continuous paper is cut along each horizontal perforation after output from the printer. The unit paper is configured to be obtained. As described above, the horizontal perforations are cutting perforations, and in some cases, also serve as folding perforations.

[0003] In the prior art, a horizontal perforation is formed using a so-called perforation blade. However, in a device using a sewing machine blade, the wear is severe, and the sewing machine blade needs to be replaced frequently. In particular, when a lot of paper to be processed is large, it is necessary to replace the sewing machine blade during processing of one lot. In addition, the use of the sewing machine blade generates paper dust or so-called burrs, so that the printing suitability of the printer is easily impaired due to the paper dust and burrs.

Accordingly, various laser processing apparatuses have been proposed which sequentially form horizontal perforations in the width direction of the paper by scanning a pulsed laser beam on paper. In the first type of laser processing apparatus, the paper is intermittently moved in the longitudinal direction, and the laser beam is scanned in the width direction while the paper is stopped to form horizontal perforations. In the second type of laser processing apparatus, while continuously moving the paper along the longitudinal direction,
A laser beam is scanned obliquely in the width direction by a polygon mirror scanner (rotating polygon mirror scanner) to form a horizontal perforation.

[0005]

However, in recent years,
Along with the variety of forms of continuous paper, there is a demand for a technique for forming an intermediate horizontal perforation in addition to a horizontal perforation for cutting to be formed at a constant interval. That is, in general, there is a demand for a technique for forming horizontal perforations for cutting at desired variable intervals.

In the first type of laser processing apparatus described above, since the paper is intermittently moved, the desired variable interval can be set by appropriately controlling the intermittent movement distance of the paper, that is, the paper feed distance. Separate transverse perforations can be formed. However, since laser processing is performed while the paper is intermittently moved, there is a disadvantage that the perforation forming speed is low and productivity is poor.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned laser processing apparatus of the second type, since the laser processing is performed while continuously moving the paper, the perforation forming speed is high and the productivity is good. However, since the laser beam scanned by the polygon mirror rotating at a constant speed of the polygon mirror scanner is irradiated on the paper moving at a constant speed, the perforation interval is inevitably constant, and a desired variable interval is provided. There is a disadvantage that a horizontal perforation cannot be formed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to form horizontal perforations at desired variable intervals as necessary while ensuring a sufficiently high perforation forming speed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a perforation forming apparatus and a forming method.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a sheet continuously moving along a first direction is moved along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. A laser light source for pulsating a laser beam and a scanning for scanning a laser beam emitted from the laser light source on a sheet along a predetermined scanning surface. Means for controlling the scanning timing of the scanning means, the control means comprising: a first perforation formed by a laser beam irradiated on a sheet by the first scanning of the scanning means. A desired perforation interval along the first direction between the laser beam and a second perforation formed by a laser beam irradiated on a sheet by a second scan subsequent to the first scan is desired. To set the variable spacing, it provides a perforation forming apparatus and controls the scanning timing of the scanning means.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the scanning means includes a galvanometer scanner for reciprocatingly rotating one reflecting mirror about a predetermined axis in accordance with a desired variable timing, and via the galvanometer scanner. And a condensing lens for converging the formed laser beam to form an image spot on paper. In this case, it is preferable that the galvanometer scanner and the condenser lens are configured such that the image spot moves linearly at a constant speed on the paper.

Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a scanning angle changing means for changing a scanning angle between an intersection line where a scanning surface of the scanning means intersects a sheet and the second direction. The control means forms a perforation along a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, so that a desired scanning angle corresponding to a moving speed of a sheet along the first direction is obtained. The scanning angle changing means is controlled. In this case, it is preferable that the scanning angle changing unit includes a stage unit for fixedly supporting the scanning unit and a driving unit for rotating the stage unit about a predetermined axis.

According to another aspect of the present invention, perforations are sequentially formed along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction on a sheet continuously moving in the first direction. A first forming step of forming a first perforation on a sheet by performing a first scan of a pulsed laser beam along a predetermined scanning surface, and following the first scan. The second scan causes a second
A second forming step of forming a perforation of
In order to set the perforation interval along the first direction between the perforation and the second perforation at a desired variable interval, the scanning timing in the first forming step and the second forming step is set. Provided is a perforation forming method characterized by controlling.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, the first
For the paper moving continuously along the direction, the first
In a laser processing apparatus that performs laser processing along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the direction, a light source for outputting a laser beam, and the laser beam output from the light source is scanned on a sheet along a predetermined scanning surface. And a control unit for controlling a scanning timing of the scanning unit, wherein the control unit performs a first scan of the scanning unit to form a laser beam irradiated on the sheet by the first scan. The distance along the first direction between a first laser processing line and a second laser processing line formed by a laser beam irradiated on a sheet by a second scan following the first scan is desired. The laser processing apparatus is characterized in that the scanning timing of the scanning means is controlled in order to set the variable interval.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the perforation forming apparatus of the present invention,
Lateral perforations along the width direction are sequentially formed on the paper that moves continuously along the longitudinal direction. For this purpose, the apparatus of the present invention includes a pulsed laser light source such as a carbon dioxide laser light source, and scanning means for scanning a laser beam emitted from the laser light source on paper. I have. Here, for example, a galvanometer scanner can be used as the scanning means.

In the galvanometer scanner, one reflecting mirror is reciprocated about a predetermined axis in accordance with a desired variable timing. The scanning timing of the galvanometer scanner, that is, the operation timing of the reciprocating rotation of the reflecting mirror is controlled by a suitable control means. The laser beam passing through the galvanometer scanner is condensed through a condensing lens and forms an image spot on paper.

Therefore, in the present invention, a first horizontal perforation is formed by the laser beam irradiated on the sheet by the first scanning of the galvanometer scanner. Next, a second horizontal perforation is formed by the laser beam radiated on the sheet by the second scan that is chronologically subsequent to the first scan. At this time, the first
The scanning timing of the galvanometer scanner is appropriately controlled by the control means so that the interval between the horizontal perforation and the second horizontal perforation becomes a desired variable interval.

As described above, in the present invention, since the laser processing is performed while the paper is continuously moved, the perforation forming speed is high and the productivity is good. Also, unlike a polygon mirror scanner that rotates a polygon mirror at a constant speed, for example, a scanning unit such as a galvanometer scanner that reciprocates one reflecting mirror according to a desired variable timing is used, so that a desired variable interval is used. Horizontal perforations can be formed. As a result, in the present invention,
It is possible to form horizontal perforations at desired variable intervals as needed, while ensuring a sufficiently high perforation forming speed.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a perforation forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated apparatus includes, for example, a carbon dioxide laser light source 1 as a pulse oscillation type laser light source. The laser beam 2 emitted from the laser light source 1 is
, And enters the first mirror 4.

The laser beam 2 reflected by the first mirror 4 is deflected again by the second mirror 5 and then enters the reflecting mirror 6a of the galvanometer scanner 6. The galvanometer scanner 6 reciprocates one reflecting mirror 6a around a predetermined axis in accordance with a desired timing. Scanning timing of the galvanometer scanner 6,
That is, the operation timing of the reciprocating rotation of the reflecting mirror 6a is controlled by the control unit 7.

The control unit 7 controls ON / OFF of the pulse oscillation of the laser light source 1 and controls the repetition frequency and the duty ratio of the pulse oscillation. In this manner, the control unit 7 appropriately sets the perforation formation state (the processing diameter, the processing depth, and the like) by appropriately controlling the pulse oscillation repetition frequency and the duty ratio in the laser light source 1.

The reflecting mirror 6 of the galvanometer scanner 6
The laser beam 2 reflected by a is condensed through a condenser lens 8 and then forms an image spot on a continuous sheet 9 to be processed. As described above, the reflecting mirror 6a
Rotates reciprocally according to a desired variable timing.
Therefore, the laser beam 2 is scanned along the predetermined scanning plane from the position indicated by the reference numeral 2a to the position indicated by the reference numeral 2b by the action of the reflecting mirror 6a which rotates clockwise in FIG. Also in the above, the imaging spot is scanned along the linear trajectory 10 shown by the broken line in the figure. Further, the galvanometer scanner 6 and the condenser lens 8 are configured such that the imaging spot moves on the continuous paper 9 along the linear trajectory 10 at a constant speed.

On the other hand, the continuous paper 9 is conveyed continuously and at a constant speed along its longitudinal direction (indicated by an arrow F1 in the figure). Although not shown, a known transport unit using an endless belt conveyor or the like can be used as a transport unit for the continuous paper 9. The crossing line between the scanning surface of the galvanometer scanner 6 and the surface of the continuous paper 9, that is, the linear trajectory 10 is set obliquely with respect to the width direction of the continuous paper 9, and the angle θ of the continuous paper 9 will be described later. It is adjusted according to the moving speed.

For this purpose, the second mirror 5, the galvanometer scanner 6, and the condenser lens 8 are fixedly supported on a stage 11. The stage 11
Is formed with a notch 11a for passing the laser beam 2 reflected by the reflecting mirror 6a of the galvanometer scanner 6 and traveling toward the condenser lens 8. Further, for example, a servo motor 12 is provided as a driving unit for driving the stage 11 to rotate about the central axis of the laser beam 2 incident on the second mirror 5.

When the stage 11 is driven to rotate by the servo motor 12, the galvanometer scanner 6 and the condenser lens 8 are driven to rotate integrally, and the scanning surface of the galvanometer scanner 6 changes.
As a result, the scanning angle θ formed between the linear trajectory 10 and the width direction of the continuous paper 9 changes. The control unit 7 drives the stage 11 to rotate by the servo motor 12 based on the moving speed information supplied from the conveying means of the continuous paper 9, and controls the scanning angle θ by the galvanometer scanner 6.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the moving speed of the continuous paper and the scanning angle, and the relationship between the scanning timing of the galvanometer scanner and the perforation interval. For example, when forming a horizontal perforation over the entire width of the continuous paper 9, the processing length of the horizontal perforation matches the width dimension W of the continuous paper 9. Then, assuming that the scanning time required to form one horizontal perforation is t1, the moving speed of the continuous paper 9 is v, and the distance that the continuous paper 9 moves while forming one horizontal perforation is L1. , The following equation (1) holds.

L1 = v × t1 (1) Therefore, in order to accurately form a horizontal perforation in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the continuous paper 9 (that is, along the width direction), the following expression (2) ) Must be established. θ = tan ^-1 (v × t1 / W) (2)

In the equation (2), the width W of the continuous paper 9
Is constant. Further, the scanning time t1 depends on the scanning speed of the imaging spot and, consequently, the scanning timing of the galvanometer scanner 6, and its value is known. Therefore, the control unit 7 obtains a desired scanning angle θ based on the moving speed information of the continuous paper 9 (that is, information on v) and Expression (2), and determines the obtained desired scanning angle θ and the actual scanning angle θ. The drive control of the servo motor 12 is performed so that the values of. In this way, by appropriately adjusting the scanning angle θ according to the moving speed of the continuous paper 9, horizontal perforations are formed in a direction exactly perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the continuous paper 9.

In this embodiment, 1 is set via the scanning time t1.
After the formation of one horizontal perforation 9a is completed, a waiting time t2 is provided until the formation of the next horizontal perforation 9b is started. Specifically, the reflecting mirror 6a of the galvanometer scanner 6 scans the laser beam 2 along the linear trajectory 10 while rotating clockwise in FIG. Thereafter, the reflecting mirror 6a quickly reversely rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 to return to the origin position (initial position), and maintains a rest state without rotating at the origin position. Then, after a lapse of the waiting time t2 from the end of scanning along the linear trajectory 10, the reflecting mirror 6a restarts clockwise rotation to form the next horizontal perforation 9b.

As described above, in the galvanometer scanner 6, the reflecting mirror 6a reciprocates according to a desired variable timing. That is, the control unit 7 controls the scanning timing of the galvanometer scanner 6 to freely set the scanning time t1 and the standby time t2. In this case, the distance L2 that the continuous paper 9 moves during the standby time t2 and the perforation interval L are expressed by the following equation (3).
And (4). L2 = v × t2 (3) L = L1 + L2 = v × (t1 + t2) (4)

As described above, in this embodiment, for example, horizontal perforations at desired variable intervals are sequentially formed by repeating laser processing while keeping the scanning time t1 constant and changing the standby time t2 appropriately. Can be. Further, generally, the scanning time t1 and the waiting time t2
By repeating the laser processing while appropriately changing the total time for each perforation, the horizontal perforations at desired variable intervals can be sequentially formed.

In the present embodiment, the tie-cut pattern can be arbitrarily set for each horizontal perforation by appropriately controlling on / off of the pulse oscillation in the laser light source 1 by the control unit 7. Further, in the present embodiment, the length of the sewing machine stop can be arbitrarily set by appropriately controlling on / off of the pulse oscillation in the laser light source 1 by the control unit 7.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the laser processing is performed while continuously moving the continuous paper 9 along the longitudinal direction, the perforation forming speed is high and the productivity is good. Further, since the galvanometer scanner 6 that reciprocates the reflecting mirror 6a according to a desired variable timing is used, horizontal perforations at desired variable intervals can be formed. As a result, in the present embodiment, it is possible to form horizontal perforations at desired variable intervals as necessary, while ensuring a sufficiently high perforation forming speed.

In the above-described embodiment, the perforations are formed by pulse oscillation type laser processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is not limited to general laser processing other than perforations. The invention can be applied.

[0034]

As described above, in the perforation forming apparatus and the forming method of the present invention, since the laser processing is performed while the paper is continuously moved, the perforation forming speed is high and the productivity is good. In addition, for example, a scanning unit such as a galvanometer scanner that reciprocates one reflecting mirror according to a desired variable timing is used.
Horizontal perforations at desired variable intervals can be formed. As a result, in the present invention, it is possible to form horizontal perforations at desired variable intervals as needed, while ensuring a sufficiently high perforation forming speed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a perforation forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a moving speed of continuous paper and a scanning angle, and a relationship between scanning timing of a galvanometer scanner and a perforation interval.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser light source 2 Laser beam 3 Collimator lens 4, 5 mirror 6 Galvanometer scanner 7 Control part 8 Condensing lens 9 Continuous paper 10 Linear trajectory of an imaging spot 11 Stage 12 Servo motor

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C058 AB08 AB23 AE03 AE04 AE08 AF06 LA27 LB13 LC02 LC06 LC25 2H045 AB33 AB43 BA02 CA98 4E068 AE01 CA13 CD11 CE02 CE04 DB09

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A perforation forming apparatus for sequentially forming perforations in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction on a sheet continuously moving in a first direction, wherein the laser beam is emitted. A laser light source for pulse oscillation; a scanning unit for scanning a laser beam emitted from the laser light source on a sheet along a predetermined scanning surface; and a control unit for controlling a scanning timing of the scanning unit. The control means includes: a first perforation formed by a laser beam irradiated on a sheet by a first scan of the scanning means; and a second scan subsequent to the first scan, on the sheet. A scanning tie of the scanning means for setting a perforation interval along the first direction with a second perforation formed by the laser beam irradiated to the laser beam at a desired variable interval. Perforation forming apparatus characterized by controlling the ring. 2. The scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the scanning unit is configured to reciprocally rotate one reflecting mirror about a predetermined axis in accordance with a desired variable timing, and condenses a laser beam via the galvanometer scanner. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a condenser lens for forming an image spot on the sheet. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the galvanometer scanner and the condenser lens are configured such that the image spot moves linearly at a constant speed on a sheet. . 4. A scanning angle changing means for changing a scanning angle formed by an intersection line between a scanning surface of the scanning means and a sheet and the second direction, wherein the control means comprises: Controlling the scanning angle changing means so as to obtain a desired scanning angle corresponding to the moving speed of the sheet along the first direction in order to form a perforation along a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said scanning angle changing means includes stage means for fixedly supporting said scanning means, and driving means for rotating said stage means about a predetermined axis. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein 6. A perforation forming method for sequentially forming perforations in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction on a sheet continuously moving in the first direction, wherein the pulse oscillation is performed. Forming a first perforation on the sheet by a first scan of the laser beam along a predetermined scanning surface; and forming a second perforation on the sheet by a second scan subsequent to the first scan. And forming a perforation along the first direction between the first perforation and the second perforation at a desired variable interval. And controlling a scanning timing in the first forming step and the second forming step. 7. A laser processing apparatus for performing laser processing on a sheet moving continuously along a first direction in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, for outputting a laser beam. A light source, scanning means for scanning a laser beam output from the light source on a sheet along a predetermined scanning surface, and control means for controlling a scanning timing of the scanning means, wherein the control The means comprises: a first laser processing line formed by a laser beam irradiated on the sheet by a first scan of the scanning means; and a laser beam irradiated on the sheet by a second scan subsequent to the first scan. The second beam forms
A laser processing apparatus for controlling a scanning timing of the scanning means in order to set a distance between the laser processing line and the laser processing line along the first direction to a desired variable distance.