Laser light generator, line beam optical system, laser marking apparatus, and miter saw

A line beam optical system comprising:

• a laser light generator including;
• a semiconductor laser that emits laser light;
• a switching element that switches the semiconductor laser on and off;
• a selecting unit that selects one of a plurality of operation modes;
• and
• a controlling unit that controls the switching element to drive the semiconductor laser based on a combination of a drive frequency and an ON duty ratio that corresponds to the operation mode selected by the selecting unit;
• a collimator lens that converts the laser beam emitted from the laser light generator;
• and
• a rod lens that converts the collimated light into a line beam.

A laser marking apparatus comprising:

• a line beam optical system, including:
• a laser light generator including:
• a semiconductor laser that emits laser light;
• a switching element that switches the semiconductor laser on and off;
• a selecting unit that selects one of a plurality of operation modes;
• and
• a controlling unit that controls the switching element to drive the semiconductor laser based on a combination of a drive frequency and an ON duty ratio that corresponds to the operation mode selected by the selecting unit;
• a collimator lens that converts the laser beam emitted from the laser light generator;
• and
• a rod lens that converts the collimated light into a line beam;
• and
• a support mechanism that supports the line beam optical system.

A miter saw comprising:

• a base on which a material to be cut is placed;
• a support unit supported on the base;
• a circular saw cutting unit pivotally supported by the support unit;
• and
• a laser light generator that is disposed on either one of the support unit and the circular saw cutting unit and that irradiates laser light on the material to be cut, the laser light generator including:
• a semiconductor laser that emits laser light;
• a switching element that switches the semiconductor laser on and off;
• a selecting unit that selects one of a plurality of operation modes;
• and
• a controlling unit that controls the switching element to drive the semiconductor laser based on a combination of a drive frequency and an ON duty ratio that corresponds to the operation mode selected by the selecting unit.

A miter saw comprising:

• a base on which a material to be cut is placed;
• a support unit supported on the base;
• a circular saw cutting unit pivotally supported by the support unit;
• and
• a laser light generator that is disposed on either one of the support unit and the circular saw cutting unit and that irradiates laser light on the material to be cut, the laser light generator including:
• a semiconductor laser that emits laser light;
• a switching element that switches the semiconductor laser on and off;
• a selecting unit that selects one of a flashing mode and a continuous mode;
• and
• a controlling unit that controls the switching element to drive the semiconductor laser at a prescribed frequency when the flashing mode is selected by the selecting unit and that controls the switching element to drive the semiconductor laser to emit continuous light when the continuous mode is selected by the selecting unit.