US 7,126,619 B2 · System and method for direct laser engraving of images onto a printing substrate

Abstract

An optical scanning system and method for laser engraving a plurality of data subrasters into a substrate to form a raster of engraved data defining an image on the substrate. Each subraster has a length dimension and a width dimension. The system includes a transport assembly having an objective lens and a mirror, the mirror capable of reflecting a substantially collimated scanning beam incident thereon in a direction transverse to an axis of the incident beam such that it is directed to the objective lens. The objective lens is capable of focusing the scanning beam on the substrate to engrave a set of data in the width dimension of the subraster and the objective lens and mirror combination is capable of moving along the axis of the incident beam to allow subsequent engraving of other sets of data in the width dimension until a complete subraster is formed along its length dimension. The objective lens and mirror combination is also capable of returning to its starting position to begin engraving of a subsequent subraster of the plurality of subrasters forming the raster of engraved data. A thermoset plastic substrate is also identified as being particularly suitable for use with the aforementioned system and method.

Claims42

Dependent claims

An optical scanning system for laser engraving of a plurality of subrasters of data into a substrate to form a raster of engraved data, each subraster having a length dimension and a width dimension, the system comprising:

a scanner capable of deflecting an input laser beam incident thereon from a first beam direction to create a scanning beam in a second direction, centered about a second axis;
a beam expander centered on the second axis capable of receiving the scanning beam and forming it as an expanded and relayed scanning beam centered about the second axis;
and
a transport assembly having an objective lens and a mirror, the mirror capable of reflecting the expanded scanning beam in a third beam direction transverse to the second beam direction transverse to the first beam direction such that it is incident on the objective lens, the objective lens and mirror capable of moving along an axis defined by the first beam direction;
wherein the objective lens is capable of focusing the expanded scanning beam on the substrate to engrave a set of data oriented in the width dimension of the subraster;
wherein the objective lens and mirror combination is capable of moving along the first beam axis to allow subsequent engraving of other sets of data oriented in the width dimension until a complete subraster is formed to define the length dimension;
and
wherein the objective lens and mirror combination is capable of returning to its starting position to initiate engraving of a subsequent subraster.

5 more elements

a polygon scanner capable of deflecting an input laser beam incident thereon from a first beam direction to create a scanning beam in a second direction, centered about a second axis;
a beam expander centered on the second axis capable of receiving the scanned beam and forming it as an expanded and relayed scanning beam centered about the second axis;
a transport assembly having an objective lens and a mirror, the mirror capable of reflecting the expanded scanning beam in a third beam direction transverse to the second beam direction transverse to the first beam direction such that it is incident on the objective lens, the objective lens and mirror being movable in a direction along the length dimension of the subraster;
and
a receptor assembly disposed substantially parallel to the objective lens of the transport assembly and capable of supporting the substrate and translating it relative to the transport assembly in the direction along the width dimension of the subraster;
wherein the objective lens focuses the expanded scanning beam on the substrate to engrave a set of data in the width dimension of the subraster;
wherein the objective lens and mirror combination moves in the direction along the length dimension of the subraster to allow subsequent engraving of other sets of data in the width direction until a complete subraster is formed;
and
wherein the objective lens and mirror combination returns to its starting position and the substrate is translated to initiate engraving of a subsequent subraster.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for direct laser engraving of images onto a printing substrate

Life of this patent

System and method for direct laser engraving of images onto a printing substrate

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims42