Three dimensional processing data setting system, method for setting three-dimensional processing data, computer program for setting three-dimensional processing data, medium with three-dimensional processing data stored therein that is readable by computer and laser processing equipment operated by the three-dimensional data

A method for setting three-dimensional processing data for driving a laser marking device to process a three-dimensional work surface in a specified processing pattern with a laser beam focused in a specified direction on the three-dimensional work surface, said three-dimensional processing data setting method comprising the steps of;

• inputting pattern information representing a processing pattern in which a three-dimensional work surface is processed and displaying said processing pattern at a desired two-dimensional position according to said pattern information on a first display means;
• inputting profile information representing at least a three-dimensional profile of the three-dimensional work surface determined by selecting from a plurality of predetermined different profiles of the three-dimensional work surface and virtually displaying a work surface represented by said profile information;
• converting coordinate data of said processing pattern from two-dimensional plane coordinate data to three-dimensional space coordinate data so as to match a processing pattern represented by said pattern information with said work surface represented by said profile information in said two-dimensional coordinate position;
• and
• displaying said processing pattern described by said three-dimensional space coordinate data and said work surface represented by said profile information in three dimensions on a second display means.

A computer-readable storage medium in which a computer program is stored for setting three-dimensional processing data for driving a laser marking device to process a three-dimensional work surface in a specified processing pattern with a laser beam focused in a specified direction on the three-dimensional work surface, said computer program comprising:

• a function of inputting pattern information representing a processing pattern in which a three-dimensional work surface is processed and a two-dimensional position for display of said processing pattern;
• a function of displaying said processing pattern in two-dimensions at said two-dimensional position based on said pattern information on a first display means;
• a function of adjusting said processing pattern in a desired two-dimensional coordinate position on said first display means;
• a function of inputting profile information representing at least a three-dimensional profile of the three-dimensional work surface for processing said three-dimensional profile being selected from a plurality of predetermined different profiles of the three-dimensional work surface;
• a function of converting coordinate data of said processing pattern from two-dimensional plane coordinate data to three-dimensional space coordinate data so as to match the processing pattern represented by said pattern information with said three-dimensional work surface represented by said profile information in said two-dimensional coordinate position;
• and
• a function of displaying said work surface represented by said profile information and said processing pattern represented by said three-dimensional space coordinate data in three dimensions on a second display means.

A laser marking machine for processing a three-dimensional work surface with a laser beam focused in a specified direction on the three-dimensional work surface, said laser marking machine comprising:

• a laser source for generating a laser beam;
• a scanner for scanning a scan field with said laser beam;
• said scanner comprising:
• a beam expander for varying a focal distance of said laser beam;
• and
• scanning means for deflecting said laser beam emanating from said beam expander in two directions perpendicular to each other so as thereby to scan said scan field with said laser beam;
• pattern information input means for inputting pattern information representing a processing pattern in which a three-dimensional work surface is processed and a two-dimensional position for display of said processing pattern;
• two-dimensional display means for displaying thereon said processing pattern in two-dimensions at said two-dimensional position based on said pattern information;
• position adjusting means for adjusting said processing pattern in a desired two-dimensional coordinate position on said two-dimensional display means;
• profile information input means for inputting profile information representing at least a three-dimensional profile of work surface for processing said three-dimensional profile being selected from a plurality of predetermined different profiles of work surface;
• coordinate data conversion means for converting coordinate data of said processing pattern from two-dimensional plane coordinate data to three-dimensional space coordinate data so as to match a processing pattern represented by said pattern information with said work surface represented by said profile information in said two-dimensional coordinate position;
• three-dimensional display means for displaying thereon in three dimensions said work surface represented by said profile information and said processing pattern represented by said three-dimensional space coordinate data;
• and
• control means for exciting said laser source and driving said scanner on the basis of said three-dimensional processing data of said processing pattern so as to thereby process said work surface in said processing pattern.