JP2010208101A - Engraving apparatus, pattern forming method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form pattern-configuring dots at an accurate pitch. <P>SOLUTION: A head 30 having a plurality of stamping pins is positioned sequentially in such a manner that the head 30 does not move significantly to the array direction when the head 30 forms a two dimensional code comprising a plurality of dots on the stamping surface while moving in a stepping manner to the array direction. Thus, some errors caused when the head 30 moves significantly in a stepping manner are dispersed, and as a result, the pattern-configuring dots can be accurately formed in a matrix-like state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an engraving apparatus, a pattern forming method, and a program, and more specifically, an engraving apparatus that forms a pattern composed of a plurality of dots on the engraving surface, and forms a pattern composed of a plurality of dots on the engraving surface. The present invention relates to a pattern forming method and a program used for controlling an engraving apparatus.

  In recent years, in the production process of industrial products, for example, QR codes (registered trademark) and two-dimensional codes represented by data matrices are directly drawn or stamped on industrial products to realize product management and traceability. Direct marking technology is drawing attention.

  A two-dimensional code directly formed on an industrial product does not have to worry about being peeled off during the manufacturing process, such as a label, and has relatively little deterioration due to contamination or deterioration over time. For this reason, direct marking technology is becoming an indispensable technology in manufacturing processes under high temperatures and in poor environments exposed to chemicals.

This direct marking technique includes a method of marking a target without contact with a YAG laser, a CO ₂ laser, or the like, and a method of marking by marking the surface of the target with a stamping pin, for example.

  The method of marking by marking the surface of an object is a marking method often used for metal parts and the like, and is realized by, for example, a stamping apparatus described in Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent No. 4157261

  In a stamping apparatus represented by the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a final pattern is formed by stamping dots in a matrix at a predetermined pitch on an object. For this reason, for example, when marking a two-dimensional code on an object, the marking pin is accurately positioned in consideration of the relationship with the reading accuracy of the scanner that reads the code, and the dot of the desired diameter is accurately accurate to some extent. It is necessary to form with a small pitch.

  The present invention has been made under the circumstances described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an engraving apparatus and the like that can form dots constituting a pattern at an accurate pitch.

  In order to achieve the above object, an engraving apparatus of the present invention is an engraving apparatus for forming a pattern composed of a plurality of dots on an engraving surface of an object, one end of which is opposed to the engraving surface, and the engraving device A head having a plurality of stamping pins arranged at equal intervals with respect to a first direction along the surface; and the head along the stamping surface with respect to the object in the first direction and the first A moving means for relatively moving in a second direction crossing one direction; a marking means for driving the marking pin to form dots on the marking surface; and the dots adjacent to each other in the first direction. Comprises control means for controlling the moving means so as to be formed by the different stamping pins.

  Further, the control means moves the head in the first direction by the moving means to perform a line feed of the head, and an interval between the embossing pins is a minimum line feed for obtaining a necessary resolution. If the minimum line feed width is 1 pitch when the width is larger than the width, and the interval between the marking pins is m pitches, the number of line feed pitches at which the head makes a line feed is the arrangement width of the plurality of stamping pins When the number of pitches is less than the maximum number of line feed pitches corresponding to, and the number of pitches is not divisible when divided by the m pitch. The head may be moved so that a difference between different line feed pitch numbers becomes smaller than the m pitch.

  The engraving means drives the mover in the third direction by applying an electromagnetic force to the mover moving in the third direction orthogonal to the engraving surface together with the engraving pin. And a applying means for applying a pulse voltage to the stator.

  Further, the application means controls at least one of a pulse width and a voltage value of the pulse voltage, and controls the size of dots formed on the marking surface in accordance with the change in the resolution of the pattern. It is good to do.

  Further, the one end portion of the embossing pin may have a shape whose diameter increases toward the other end.

  Further, the first direction and the second direction may be orthogonal to each other.

  The pattern may be a two-dimensional code.

  The pattern forming method of the present invention drives a head having a plurality of stamping pins arranged at equal intervals in the first direction to form a pattern composed of a plurality of dots on the stamped surface of an object. A first step of sequentially forming the dots in the second direction by moving the head in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and each of the dots adjacent in the first direction The step of moving the head in the first direction so as to be formed by the different stamping pins is alternately repeated.

  The program of the present invention drives a head having a plurality of stamping pins arranged at equal intervals in the first direction to form a pattern of a plurality of dots on the stamping surface of an object. And a step of moving the head in a second direction intersecting the first direction to sequentially form the dots in the second direction, and the dots adjacent to each other in the first direction are different from each other. The procedure of moving the head in the first direction so as to be formed by the stamping pins is alternately executed.

  The dots constituting the pattern are formed with an accurate pitch.

It is a block diagram of the marking device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of a stamping unit. It is the figure which looked at the head from + Y side. It is a figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of a stamping pin. It is a block diagram of an embossing unit. FIG. 6A illustrates a pulse signal. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a curve representing the relationship between the displacement of the stamping pin and time. It is a figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of a marking unit. It is a figure which shows an example of the two-dimensional code formed in a target object. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the marking apparatus when marking a dot equivalent to 300 dpi. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the marking apparatus when marking a dot equivalent to 200 dpi. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of operation | movement of a stamping apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the conventional marking method.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an engraving apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The engraving apparatus 10 is an apparatus that engraves a two-dimensional code output from an external device or an external system on an object. This management information is information including the lot number and serial number of the object.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the stamping apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a main storage unit 12, an auxiliary storage unit 13, an input unit 14, a detection unit 15, an interface 16, and a stamping unit 20. ing.

  The main storage unit 12 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like. The main storage unit 12 is used as a work area for the CPU 11.

  The auxiliary storage unit 13 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory. The auxiliary storage unit 13 stores a program executed by the CPU 11 and various parameters necessary for executing the program. In addition, information including processing results by the CPU 11 is sequentially stored.

  The input unit 14 includes a power switch, an operation panel for inputting a command to the engraving apparatus 10, and the like. The user instruction is input via the input unit 14 and is notified to the CPU 11 via the system bus 10a.

  The stamping unit 20 forms a pattern such as a two-dimensional code composed of a plurality of dots on the surface of the object. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stamping unit 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the embossing unit 20 has a base member 21, a Y moving body 23 that is movable with respect to the base member 21 along the Y axis, and an X axis with respect to the Y moving body 23. An X moving body 24 movably provided along the head, a head 30 attached to the X moving body 24 via a holder 25, and a driver 26 for controlling the engraving unit 20 are provided.

  The base member 21 includes a plate-shaped first portion 21a parallel to the XY plane with the longitudinal direction as the X-axis direction and a plate-shaped second portion 21b parallel to the XZ plane with the longitudinal direction as the X-axis direction. This is a member having an L-shaped cross section. A support plate 22 having a longitudinal direction as the X-axis direction is fixed to the + Y side end portion of the first portion 21a formed on the base member 21.

  The −Y side surface of the support plate 22 and the + Y side surface of the second portion 21 b formed on the base member 21 are substantially parallel. And between the support plate 22 and the 2nd part 21b of the base member 21, one end part was fixed to the support plate 22, and the other end part was fixed to the 2nd part 21b, and let the longitudinal direction be a Y-axis direction. Cylindrical Y guides 52A and 52B are respectively installed.

  The Y moving body 23 includes a plate-like moving portion 23a whose longitudinal direction is the X-axis direction, and a pair of support portions 23b extending in the −Z direction from the + Y side end portion and the −Y side end portion of the moving portion 23a. It is a member. Further, a circular opening 23c penetrating in the Y-axis direction is formed at the center of the moving portion 23a of the Y moving body 23, and circular openings 23d are formed on the + X side and the −X side of the circular opening 23c, respectively. Yes. Between the pair of support portions 23b of the Y moving body 23, columnar X guides 51A and 51B having both ends fixed to the pair of support portions 23b and having the longitudinal direction as the Y-axis direction are respectively installed. Has been.

  The Y moving body 23 configured as described above is supported so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction with respect to the base member 21 by a pair of Y guides 52A and 52B inserted into the circular openings 23d of the moving portion 23a. ing.

  Further, in the circular opening 23c formed in the moving portion 23a of the Y moving body 23, the second portion 21b of the base member 21 and the support plate 22 are rotatably supported at the + Y side end portion and the −Y side end portion. The fed feed screw 60Y is screwed. The Y moving body 23 is moved in the Y-axis direction when the feed screw 60Y is rotated by the Y motor 50Y.

  The X moving body 24 is a rectangular parallelepiped member whose longitudinal direction is the Z-axis direction. A circular opening 24a penetrating in the X-axis direction is formed at the center of the X moving body 24, and circular openings 24b are formed on the + Z side and the −Z side of the circular opening 24a, respectively.

  The X moving body 24 configured as described above is supported so as to be movable in the X-axis direction with respect to the Y moving body 23 by X guides 51A and 51B inserted into the circular openings 24b.

  A feed screw 60 </ b> X that is rotatably supported at both ends by a support portion 23 b formed at the Y moving body 23 is screwed into the circular opening 24 a formed at the X moving body 24. The X moving body 24 is moved in the X-axis direction when the feed screw 60X is rotated by the X motor 50X.

  The head 30 is supported by a U-shaped holder 25 fixed to the + Y side surface of the X moving body 24. FIG. 3 is a view of the head 30 as viewed from the + Y side. As shown in FIG. 3, the head 30 includes nine stamping pins 33, a holding member 32 that holds each of the stamping pins 33 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction, and nine that are held by the holding member 32. Nine drive units 40 (not shown in FIG. 3, refer to FIG. 5) for driving each of the stamping pins 33, and a cylindrical casing 31 in which the drive unit 40 is accommodated.

  Each of the embossing pins 33 is shaped into a conical shape or a spherical shape in which the end on the −Z side becomes narrower downward. Then, with the −Z side end protruding from the holding member 32, the holding member 32 is held movably in the Z-axis direction with a predetermined stroke. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the position of the stamping pin 33 when the stamping pin 33 comes to the most + Z side (upward) is defined as the standby position, and the stamping pin 33 when the stamping pin 33 comes to the most -Z side (downward). The position is defined as the stamp limit position.

  As an example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4101158, the drive unit 40 moves the stamping pin 33 by electromagnetically driving the mover provided on the stamping pin 33 and the mover. A drive coil that drives in the Z direction and a spring that urges the stamping pin 33 in the + Z direction are included. When the drive coil is not energized, the drive unit 40 makes the stamping pin 33 stand by at the standby position by the elastic force of the spring, and when a voltage is applied to the drive coil, drives the mover to perform the stamping. The pin 33 is moved from the standby position toward the stamping limit position.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the marking pins 33. As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the punching pin 33 has a lower end (hereinafter also referred to as a contact portion) that contacts the object in the XY plane where the circumference of the circle C on the XY plane is It is held by the holding member 32 so as to be positioned above. Further, the stamping pin 33 is held by the holding member 32 so that the contact portions are separated by a distance d in the Y-axis direction. This distance d substantially corresponds to a distance twice as large as the diameter of the dot D2 constituting the pattern having a resolution of 200 dpi, and roughly corresponds to a distance three times as large as the diameter of the dot D3 constituting the pattern having a resolution of 300 dpi. . Hereinafter, the nine embossing pins 33, the most -Y in side embossing pins 33 displays the embossing pins 33 _1, + Y embossing pins ₃₃ 2 each embossing pins 33 in a direction, 33 _3, ... 33 ₉ both to display.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the stamping unit 20. The driver 26 is disposed on the + Y side of the second portion 21 b formed on the base member 21 and is electrically connected to the X motor 50 </ b> X, the Y motor 50 </ b> Y, and the head 30. Then, as can be seen with reference to FIG. 5, the X motor 50X and the Y motor 50Y are driven based on the instruction of the CPU 11 to move the head 30 in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction. Also supplies a pulse signal to the drive unit ₄₀ 1 to 40 ₉ respective drive coils for driving the embossing pins ₃₃ to 333 ₉ of the head 30.

FIG. 6A shows a pulse signal P2 and a pulse signal P3 that the driver 26 supplies to the drive coils of the drive units 40 ₁ to 40 ₉ . The pulse signal P2 is an example of a voltage signal for imprinting dots that form a pattern with a resolution of 200 dpi on the object, and the pulse signal P3 is a dot that forms a pattern with a resolution of 300 dpi on the object. Is an example of a voltage signal for imprinting. The pulse signal P2 is a rectangular wave having a maximum voltage of V2 and a pulse width of T. On the other hand, the pulse signal P3 is a rectangular wave having a maximum voltage V3 smaller than V2 and a pulse width T.

  Here, the reason why different dots must be engraved at resolutions of 200 dpi and 300 dpi will be described. In the present invention, adjacent dots are arranged so that their external shapes do not overlap. Considering the case where a continuous line is imprinted with a resolution of 300 dpi, the diameters of the dots to be imprinted must be such that they do not overlap each other and appear to be continuous. Therefore, in this case, the dot diameter is a diameter at which the outer diameters are in contact with each other at the maximum. Next, when a dot at 200 dpi is engraved with the same dot diameter as 300 dpi, the dot arrangement interval at 200 dpi is wider than the arrangement interval at 300 dpi, and thus becomes a dotted line instead of a continuous line.

  In order to solve this problem, even when dots are printed at 200 dpi, the dot diameters need to be large enough not to overlap each other and seem to be continuous. . Specifically, it is necessary to make the dot diameter at the time of engraving dots at 200 dpi larger than the dot diameter at 300 dpi. Thus, in the case of forming a 200 dpi pattern and the case of forming a 300 dpi pattern, it is necessary to select an appropriate dot diameter according to the resolution. This is the reason why the dot diameter has to be changed between the case where the resolution is 200 dpi and the case where the resolution is 300 dpi.

As an example, in FIG. 6 (B), the embossing pins 33, curves S2 and a curve S3 shows the relationship between the displacement and the time from the standby position D ₀ is shown. A curve S2 is a curve showing the relationship between the displacement of the stamping pin 33 and time when the pulse signal P2 is supplied to the drive unit 40. A curve S3 is a curve showing the relationship between the displacement of the stamping pin 33 and time when the pulse signal P3 is supplied to the drive unit 40.

As can be seen from the curves S2 and S3, the embossing pin 33 starts moving with a slight delay from the time t1 when the pulse signal becomes high level. The stamping pin 33 that has started to move is accelerated until time t2 when the pulse signal becomes low level, and continues to move even after the pulse signal becomes low level, so that the displacement becomes _DT. Reach the abutting position. Then, the flow returns to the standby position which is displaced after remained in that position while the D _0.

Since FIG. 6B is a curve representing time and displacement, the magnitude of the inclination is equivalent to the speed. For this reason, the slope of the curve at the displacement _DT when the embossing pin 33 abuts on the object is the speed at which the embossing pin 33 abuts on the object.

In FIG. 6B, the slope of the displacement _DT when the embossing pin 33 contacts the object is larger on the curve S2 than on the curve S3. That is, the speed of the stamping pin 33 driven by the pulse signal P2 is faster than the speed of the stamping pin 33 driven by the pulse signal P3. Therefore, the stamping pin 33 driven by the pulse signal P2 has a larger kinetic energy.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the object is composed of a member softer than the stamping pin 33. Further, the contact portion of the stamping pin 33 with the object is shaped conically or spherically. For this reason, when the embossing pin 33 abuts on the object, the abutting portion bites into the object according to the magnitude of the kinetic energy of the embossing pin 33. That is, if the kinetic energy is large, the bite is deep, and if it is low, the bite is shallow.

  In this way, dots are formed when the contact portion of the stamping pin 33 bites into the object, but the contact portion of the stamping pin 33 with the object is formed in a conical shape or a spherical shape. The diameter of the formed dot differs depending on the depth at which the contact portion bites into the object. Specifically, the diameter of the dot increases as the abutment portion bites deeper.

  As described above, the stamping pin 33 driven by the pulse signal P2 has a larger kinetic energy than the stamping pin 33 driven by the pulse signal P3. Therefore, the abutting portion of the embossing pin 33 driven by the pulse signal P2 penetrates deeper into the object. Accordingly, the dot diameter is increased. On the other hand, the diameter of the dot formed by the marking pin 33 driven by the pulse signal P3 is smaller than that when driven by the pulse signal P2.

  Thus, by changing the conditions of the pulse signal, a desired dot diameter can be obtained. In the present embodiment, the dot diameter obtained by the pulse signal P2 is a dot diameter for forming a 200 dpi pattern, and the dot diameter obtained by the pulse signal P3 is a dot diameter for forming a 300 dpi pattern. Is set to

  In this embodiment, the dot diameter is changed by changing the drive voltage. However, the dot diameter can also be changed by changing the pulse width, for example.

The driver 26 selectively supplies a pulse signal P2 and a pulse signal P3 having different maximum voltage values and pulse widths to the drive units 40 ₁ to 40 ₉ according to instructions from the CPU 11. As a result, the speed of the speed of the embossing pins ₃₃ to 333 ₉ commensurate with resolution when abutting the object, the object constituting the dot resolution constitutes a 300dpi pattern, a pattern resolution 200dpi A dot can be selectively stamped.

  As can be seen from the stamping unit 20 configured as described above, the head 30 is positioned above the belt conveyor 120, for example, with the upper surface of the base member 21 being substantially horizontal, as can be seen from FIG. It is supported by a support member (not shown). Further, in the present embodiment, the upper surface of the object 100 placed on the belt conveyor 120 is in a state located between the standby position of the stamping pin 33 and the stamping limit position.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the detection unit 15 detects the object 100 below the marking unit 20 and outputs information including the detection result.

  The interface 16 includes an input port such as a serial interface or a LAN (Local Area Network) interface, and a buffer for temporarily storing information input to the input port. In the present embodiment, an external device such as a personal computer is connected to the interface 16, and the management information of the object 100 is notified to the CPU 11 via the interface 16 and the system bus 10a.

  The CPU 11 reads a program and the like stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 and comprehensively controls each unit such as the embossing unit 20 according to the program.

  Next, operation | movement of the marking apparatus 10 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated. As a premise, as shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the object 100 is conveyed below the stamping unit 20 and detected by the CPU 11 via the detection unit 15. In this embodiment, as an example, the two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 8 is formed by imprinting dots corresponding to a resolution of 300 dpi on a matrix of 174 rows and 174 columns. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the matrix of 174 rows and 174 columns is simply referred to as a code matrix (CM).

  First, when a two-dimensional code is supplied from an external device or the like, the CPU 11 generates a pattern to be formed on the object 100 from this management information. In the present embodiment, the two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 8 is generated.

Next, the CPU 11 controls the stamping unit 20 to stamp the generated two-dimensional code on the upper surface of the object 100. Hereinafter, this operation will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, each of the embossing pins 33 _{1 to} 33 ₉ is assigned a number from 1 to 9, and is indicated by a circle surrounding the number. Further, the movement distance in the Y-axis direction is indicated by using 1/300 inch as D.

The CPU 11 moves the head 30 to position the embossing pins 33 _{7 to} 33 ₉ on the + X side of the first row, the fourth row, and the seventh row of the code matrix CM as shown in FIG. Then, from this state, while moving the head 30 in the -X direction, and drives the embossing pins ₃₃ 7-33 ₉ respectively, first line of code matrix CM, 4 row, the seventh row, two-dimensional The dots that make up the code are engraved.

When the first line, the fourth line, and the seventh line of the code matrix CM are completed, the CPU 11 moves the head 30 in the + Y direction by a distance of 10D, and the second, fifth, and eighth lines of the code matrix CM. The embossing pins 33 _{4 to} 33 ₉ are positioned on the + X side of the 11th, 14th, and 17th rows. From this state, the marking pins 33 _{4 to} 33 ₉ are driven while moving the head 30 in the −X direction, and the second, fifth, eighth, and eleventh lines of the code matrix CM are driven. , The dots constituting the two-dimensional code are imprinted on the 14th and 17th lines.

When the second, fifth, eighth, eleventh, fourteenth, and seventeenth lines of the code matrix CM are completed, the CPU 11 moves the head 30 by a distance of 10D in the + Y direction, On the + X side of the third, sixth, ninth, twelfth, fifteenth, eighteenth, twenty-first, twenty-fourth, and twenty-seventh rows of the matrix CM, the marking pins 33 _{1 to} 33 are arranged. ₉ is positioned. From this state, the marking pins 33 _{1 to} 33 ₉ are driven while moving the head 30 in the −X direction, and the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth lines of the code matrix CM are driven. In the 15th line, 18th line, 21st line, 24th line, and 27th line, dots constituting the two-dimensional code are imprinted.

When the third, sixth, ninth, twelfth, fifteenth, eighteenth, twenty-first, twenty-fourth, and twenty-seventh lines of the code matrix CM are completed, the CPU 11 30 is moved in the + Y direction by a distance of 7D, and the 10th line, 13th line, 16th line, 19th line, 22nd line, 25th line, 28th line, 31st line, 34th line of the code matrix CM Bruno + X-side, positioning the embossing pins ₃₃ to 333 _9. Then, from this state, while moving the head 30 in the -X direction, by driving the embossing pins ₃₃ to 333 _9, respectively, line 10 of the code matrix CM, 13 row, 16 row, 19 row In the 22nd line, 25th line, 28th line, 31st line, and 34th line, dots constituting the two-dimensional code are imprinted.

  Thereafter, the CPU 11 repeats the above-described operation and imprints dots constituting the two-dimensional code for all the rows of the code matrix CM. And CPU11 will complete | finish a process, if the production | generation of the two-dimensional code with respect to the target object 100 is completed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when forming a two-dimensional code composed of a plurality of dots arranged on the code matrix on the object 100, the amount of movement of the head 30 in the column direction, that is, the amount of line feed Does not grow significantly. For this reason, the pitch shift in the column direction that occurs in the pattern formed on the object 100 can be suppressed. Therefore, the dots constituting the pattern are arranged at an accurate pitch, and as a result, a pattern such as a two-dimensional code with less noise components can be formed on the object.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, as compared with the case where dots are formed on the object 100 while the head 30 is sequentially moved in the + Y direction by the distance D, the distance D, and the distance 25D. The head 30 does not move significantly in the + Y direction at a time. For example, in FIG. 12, the head 30 must be moved by 25D in the + Y direction in order to engrave the 28th line after engraving the 27th line. There is no longer to do. For this reason, in this embodiment, the positioning error of the head 30 caused by the head 30 moving significantly is dispersed, and the dots are uniformly arranged on the code matrix.

Specifically, according to the moving method of the head 30 as shown in FIG. 12, when the first to 27th lines are engraved, the head 30 is moved in the + Y direction by 1D. The positioning error of 30 is also small. Therefore, the dots can be arranged on the code matrix with high accuracy.

  However, in order to engrave the 28th line after engraving the 27th line, the head 30 must be moved by 25D in the + Y direction. Therefore, the positioning error due to the significant movement increases, and the positioning accuracy of the 28th row with respect to the position where the 27th row is imprinted is deteriorated. For example, the dot position stamped on the 28th line is separated from the dot position stamped on the 27th line than usual.

On the other hand, according to the moving method as shown in the present embodiment, it does not move significantly as compared with the moving method as shown in FIG. Therefore, as a result, a pattern such as a two-dimensional code with less noise components can be formed with high accuracy.

In the present embodiment, the head 30 is moved as follows in order to eliminate the significant movement as shown in FIG. In other words, the minimum line feed width for obtaining the resolution required in the present embodiment as one pitch, when the spacing between the embossing pins 33 _to 333 ₉ are m pitch, line feed number of pitches head 30 a new line , along with a smaller number of pitches than the maximum line break pitch number corresponding to the distance from the embossing pins 33 _to 333 ₉ Sort width or embossing pins 33 ₁ of the central axis to the center axis of the embossing pins 33 _9, wherein The number of pitches is such that it cannot be divided when divided by m pitches. When line feeds are performed with different pitch numbers in the preceding and following line feeds, the difference between the different line feed pitch numbers is smaller than the m pitches. The head is moved as follows.

Further, in the present embodiment, by changing the voltage and pulse width of the embossing pins ₃₃ to 333 ₉ of the drive unit ₄₀ 1 to 40 ₉ pulse signal supplied to each resolution pattern and resolution of 200 dpi 300dpi Both patterns can be formed.

Hereinafter, the operation of the stamping apparatus 10 when stamping a 200 dpi pattern will be described with reference to FIG. As a premise, the two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 8 is formed by imprinting dots corresponding to a resolution of 200 dpi on a 116 × 116 code matrix CM2. Further, the moving distance in the Y-axis direction, the 1/200 inches as _{D 2,} and illustrates using the _{D 2.}

The CPU 11 moves the head 30 and, as shown in FIG. 10, on the + X side of the second row, fourth row, sixth row, and eighth row of the code matrix CM2, the marking pins 33 _{6 to} 33 _9. Positioning. Then, from this state, while moving the head 30 in the -X direction, and drives the embossing pins ₃₃ 6-33 ₉ respectively, the second line of the code matrix CM2, 4 row, the sixth row, the eighth row Next, the dots constituting the two-dimensional code are engraved.

Second line of code matrix CM2, 4 row, the sixth row, the embossing line 8 is completed, CPU 11 is a head 30 a distance 9D ₂ only + Y is moved in the direction, the first line of code matrix CM2, third row, fifth row, the seventh row, the ninth row, 11 row, 13 row, 15 row, on the + X side of the line 17, to position the embossing pins 33 _to 333 _9. Then, from this state, while moving the head 30 in the -X direction, by driving the embossing pins 33 _to 333 _9, respectively, the first line of code matrix CM2, 3 row, fifth row, seventh row In the ninth, eleventh, thirteenth, fifteenth and seventeenth lines, dots constituting the two-dimensional code are imprinted.

When the first line, the third line, the fifth line, the seventh line, the ninth line, the eleventh line, the thirteenth line, the fifteenth line, and the seventeenth line of the code matrix CM2 are completed, the CPU 11 30 is a moved distance 9D ₂ only in the + Y direction, 10 line of code matrix CM2, 12 row, 14 row, 16 row, 18 row, 20 row, 22 row, 24 row, 26 row the eyes of the + X side, positioning the embossing pins ₃₃ to 333 _9. Then, from this state, while moving the head 30 in the -X direction, by driving the embossing pins ₃₃ to 333 _9, respectively, line 10 of the code matrix CM2, 12 row, 14 row, 16 row In the 18th line, the 20th line, the 22nd line, the 24th line, and the 26th line, dots constituting the two-dimensional code are imprinted.

  Thereafter, the CPU 11 repeats the above-described operation and imprints dots constituting the two-dimensional code for all rows of the code matrix CM2. And CPU11 will complete | finish a process, if the production | generation of the two-dimensional code with respect to the target object 100 is completed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a QR code (registered trademark) or the like is formed on the object 100, the two-dimensional code is formed according to the resolution of the scanner that reads the two-dimensional code. The resolution of the pattern can be changed. Accordingly, when a pattern with low resolution is formed, for example, a 200 dpi pattern is formed, and when a pattern with high resolution is formed, for example, a 300 dpi pattern is formed, so that the low resolution pattern can be formed in a short time. Can be formed.

  Specifically, the size when QR code (registered trademark) model 2 Ver3 (29 × 29 cells) is marked with 6 dots per cell at a resolution of 300 dpi is 14.73 × 14.73. The number of times of stamping is 30,276 times (= 174 × 174). On the other hand, when the above-mentioned QR code (registered trademark) is marked with a resolution of 200 dpi, the dot size is large, so that the number of dots per cell can be composed of 4 dots. Therefore, the required number of dots to be imprinted is 13,456, and a QR code (registered trademark) can be formed with an imprint number of about 44% when imprinted at 300 dpi. Therefore, the same pattern can be formed in a short time. In addition, since the number of times of stamping is reduced, it is possible to suppress the degradation of the stamping pins.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited by the said embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, when forming a pattern with a resolution of 300 dpi, a case has been described in which dots are formed on the object 100 while the head 30 is sequentially moved in the + Y direction by the distance 10D, the distance 10D, and the distance 7D. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as can be seen with reference to FIG. 11, dots are formed on the object 100 while moving the head 30 sequentially in the + Y direction by a distance 8D, a distance 8D, and a distance 11D. It may be formed.

  Further, the amount of movement in the + Y direction can be determined by the arrangement pitch of the stamping pins 33 in the Y-axis direction, and various other movement patterns can be considered.

  In the present embodiment, the diameter of the dot formed on the object is changed by changing the voltage value and the pulse width of the pulse signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the maximum voltage or the pulse width of the pulse signal is changed. It is good also as changing the diameter of the dot formed in a target object by changing only any of these.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where a pattern having a resolution of 200 dpi and 300 dpi is formed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various resolutions can be achieved by controlling the speed of the embossing pin 33 when contacting the object. The dots constituting the pattern can be imprinted. In general, the speed of the stamping pin when contacting the object and the dot diameter are in a proportional relationship. By utilizing this characteristic and controlling the speed of the marking pin 33, dots constituting various resolution patterns can be stamped.

  In the above embodiment, the case has been described in which the head 30 is moved in the row direction (X-axis direction) and the dots are imprinted for each row. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the head is arranged in the column direction (Y-axis direction). 30 may be moved and dots may be imprinted for each column. In this case, a head having embossing pins arranged at equal intervals in the row direction is used, and this head is moved in the X-axis direction sequentially by a distance 10D, a distance 10D, and a distance 7D, or in the X-axis direction. It is only necessary to form dots on the object 100 while sequentially moving the distance 8D, the distance 8D, and the distance 11D.

  In the present embodiment, the pattern is formed on the object 100 while moving the head 30 with respect to the object 100, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the object 100 may be moved with respect to the head 30.

  In the embossing unit 20 according to the present embodiment, the case where the head 30 is moved in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction orthogonal to each other has been described. Any configuration that can move along the surface is acceptable.

  In the above embodiment, the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 of the marking apparatus 10 is a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto-Optical). A device that executes the above-described processing may be configured by storing and distributing the program in a computer-readable recording medium such as disk) and installing the program.

  Further, the program may be stored in a disk device or the like of a predetermined server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and may be downloaded, for example, superimposed on a carrier wave.

  Note that when the above functions are realized by sharing an OS (Operating System) or when the functions are realized by cooperation between the OS and an application, only the part other than the OS may be stored in a medium and distributed. You may also download it.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be variously modified and modified without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the above-described embodiment is for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the embodiments but by the claims. Various modifications within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the equivalent invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

  The stamping apparatus of the present invention is suitable for stamping dots on an object to form a pattern composed of dots. Moreover, the pattern formation method and program of this invention are suitable for forming the pattern which consists of the dot stamped on the target object.

10 Stamping device 11 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Main memory | storage part 13 Auxiliary memory | storage part 14 Input part 15 Detection part 16 Interface 20 Stamping unit 21 Base member 21a 1st part 21b 2nd part 22 Support plate 23 Y moving body 23a Moving part 23b Support part 23c, 23d Circular opening 24 X moving body 24a, 24b Circular opening 25 Holder 26 Driver 30 Head 31 Casing 32 Holding member 33 Stamping pin 40 Drive unit 50X X motor 50Y Y motor 51A, 51B X guide 52A, 52B Y guide 60X, 60Y Feed screw 100 Object 120 belt conveyor

Claims (9)

A stamping device that forms a pattern of a plurality of dots on a stamped surface of an object,
A head having a plurality of stamping pins, one end of which is opposed to the stamping surface and arranged at equal intervals in a first direction along the stamping surface;
Moving means for moving the head relative to the object in the first direction and in a second direction intersecting the first direction along the marking surface;
Engraving means for driving the engraving pins to form dots on the engraving surface;
Control means for controlling the moving means so that each of the dots adjacent in the first direction is formed by the different stamping pins;
A stamping device comprising: The control means moves the head in the first direction by the moving means to perform a line feed of the head, and an interval between the embossing pins is smaller than a minimum line feed width for obtaining a necessary resolution. Is also large,
When the minimum line feed width is 1 pitch and the interval between the marking pins is m pitches, the number of line feed pitches at which the head makes a line feed is the maximum number of line feed pitches corresponding to the arrangement width of the plurality of stamping pins. The number of pitches is less than the number of pitches, and when divided by the m pitch, the number of pitches is not divisible. 2. The stamping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head is moved so that the difference is smaller than the m pitch. The engraving means is
A mover that moves in a third direction perpendicular to the marking surface together with the marking pin;
A stator that drives the mover in the third direction by applying an electromagnetic force to the mover;
Applying means for applying a pulse voltage to the stator;
A stamping device according to claim 1 or 2.   The application unit controls at least one of a pulse width and a voltage value of the pulse voltage, and controls the size of dots formed on the marking surface in accordance with the change in the resolution of the pattern. The stamping device according to claim 3.   The stamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one end portion of the stamping pin has a shape whose diameter increases toward the other end.   The stamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other.   The embossing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pattern is a two-dimensional code. A pattern forming method for driving a head having a plurality of embossing pins arranged at equal intervals with respect to a first direction to form a pattern composed of a plurality of dots on an embossed surface of an object,
A first step of sequentially forming the dots in the second direction by moving the head in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
Moving the head in the first direction so that each dot adjacent to the first direction is formed by the different stamping pins;
A pattern forming method in which is repeated alternately. In a control unit of an engraving apparatus that drives a head having a plurality of embossing pins arranged at equal intervals in the first direction to form a pattern composed of a plurality of dots on the engraving surface of an object.
Moving the head in a second direction intersecting the first direction to sequentially form the dots in the second direction;
Moving the head in the first direction such that each of the dots adjacent in the first direction is formed by the different stamping pins;
A program for alternately executing

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