Method and system for engraving, marking and labelling a workpiece using a laser plotter

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for engraving, marking and/or labelling a workpiece using a laser plotter, as well as a laser plotter in which at least one beam source in the form of a laser is provided in a housing of the laser plotter, into which the item to be machined is inserted. The workpiece is placed on a processing table, and a laser beam emitted by the beam source is sent via deflecting elements to at least one focusing unit, from which the laser beam is deflected in the direction of the workpiece and is focused for the processing. The control, in particular the position control of the laser beam to the workpiece, takes place via a software running on a control unit, so that the workpiece is processed line by line by movement of a sliding carriage. Preferably on an external component, in particular a computer or a control unit, a graphic and/or a text is created, which is transmitted to the control unit of the laser plotter, which performs a conversion of the transmitted data, in particular the graphic and/or the text, for controlling the individual elements of the laser plotter. A laser pointer of the laser is positioned on or in the area of the workpiece after insertion of the workpiece into the working area, whereupon after activation of the machining process or a focusing process preferably a position correction is performed. Subsequently, a distance measurement to a surface of the workpiece is performed, and the data acquired are transferred to the control unit, which then calculates a position of the working table for the optimum focal point of the laser, taking into account predetermined parameters, in particular the replaceable laser lens used, and subsequently the processing table is shifted.