CA2114109C - Improvements in or relating to laser marking arrangements - Google Patents
Improvements in or relating to laser marking arrangements Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2114109C CA2114109C CA002114109A CA2114109A CA2114109C CA 2114109 C CA2114109 C CA 2114109C CA 002114109 A CA002114109 A CA 002114109A CA 2114109 A CA2114109 A CA 2114109A CA 2114109 C CA2114109 C CA 2114109C
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- Prior art keywords
- mirror
- laser
- laser beam
- path
- displacing
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/435—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material
- B41J2/47—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using the combination of scanning and modulation of light
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
- B23K26/08—Devices involving relative movement between laser beam and workpiece
- B23K26/082—Scanning systems, i.e. devices involving movement of the laser beam relative to the laser head
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a laser marking system, using a displaceable mirror to cause the path of the laser beam to scan in one direction. The mirror is conveniently controlled by at least one flexure hinge driven by a piezoelectric device, an electro-stric-tive device or a magneto-strictive device. In one disclosed embodiment two mirrors (15, 16) are provided, each mirror (15 or 16) having a flexure hinge device (18, 19) individual thereto; and the displacements applied to the said flexure hinge devices (18, 19), via respective driving devices (20, 21), cause the mirrors (15; l6) to scan the path of the laser beam (13) in a series of steps in one direction of scan: A computer (11), arranged to drive the flexure hinge driving devices (20, 21), also controls the firing of the laser (l2) in accordance with a predetermined programme.
Description
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z~.l~~~o~ 16 AUGUST 1993 'vZMPROV~1TS IN OR RELATTNG TO LASER MARKING ARRArIG~NTS"
This invention relates to lasers and, more particularly, to laser dot-matrix -markang and printing, . hereinafter referred to as "marking". _ Laser marking is well known in the art and in one such laser marking arrangement a prz7.s~d laser beam is directed through an optical system including a laser beam deflecting means, the beam deflecting means is controlled by a computer and a programme in the computer controls the deflecting means to cause the path of the laser beam to be traversed through a fixed angle, thus to sweep or "scan" a target.
For most such arrangements the laser beam is caased to scan in one plane and the target is displaced in a direction at right angles to the said plane of laser beam displacement whereupon the scan of the laser beam in combination with the target displacement, allows marking over an area of the target.
The computer further controls the firing of the laser, -.; n . ~ ..,a nrf.
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r~.~ i ~~;~:r~acdo~all Application ~U~~ ~ a j ~ .~..~ ~~ a WO 93/03456 ~ ~~ . PGT/GB91/01264 'f .in pre-programmed positions along the scan path of the laser beam over each or selected . scans, ~1'~re~Oa a desired dot-matriu marldag over an area..qf..the target 18 obtained.
Such an arracgemeat, comprising a computer controlled laser with a laser beam deflecting means arranged to direct the .
laser beam to scan a target in one plane is, hereinafter referred to as "a laser marking system of the type defied".
The target area may comptiae a laminate, the euternal layer of which is~bur~nt swap or vaporized by the laser beam to use the sec:~d layer which is differently oolocred from the surface laye~c, or the tyeat generated by the beam may cause a distinctive disc~loratio~ of the target surface or the beam may etch the Surface of the target.
Any giv~eu target surface to be marked by a laser beam 5 requires a minim~na density of the beam over a p~ed~etes~ed dwell petiod to prod~u~ a satisfactory marking of ~ surface. the length of the laser pulse required for a given target surface 18 inversely Proporticcal to the available laser poorer and proportional to the area of the target surface in the path of tb~e laser beam whew the laser isvpvlsed.
A pzoblem exists ~rlth prior att~laser marking systems of the type defined in that cucreatlp proposed beam deflecting mesas are relatively slow to operate or are very erpeusive and i~efficieat.
2 5 By Way of one exa~le, the Urti.ted Patent Publication No. 2133352 discloses a laser marking system of the type defined wherein the output beam of an RF excited wave guide os now-rwave guide C02 laser is directed through an ac~usto-optic deflector, electronic control mesas synchronized ~~' ~ dtjve means drive the ac:ovsto-optic deflector so as to selectively deflect the laser pulses in space to produce a one-dimension array of pulses, sad an optical system focuses ~ ~~ ~ said array onto an 'article to be marked.
Acxuato-optic deflectors are relatively expensive, as also is 'the ogticel systeln'ptowided;to receive the output beam fran the ac~sasto-optic deflector to focus said beam and to g~.ve an ~~jt~~ 9 ) / 0 ) Z 6 ~
_ 3 21~.~~~.~~ ~~ r X9,93 acceptable scan dimensions for the focussed beam.
In other embodiments disclosed in the United Kingdom Patent Publication No 2133352 the acousto-optic deflector is replaced by a mirror arrangement, which may include a multi-faceted spinning mirror or a two mirror system in which one mirror is fixed and the other mirror is displaced by an electronic device, such as a piezoelectric transducer.
An object of the present invention is to provide a laser beam deflecting means of relatively cheap construction which affords a relatively wide range of scan, which affords a high degree of accuracy for the direction of the beam and which, in practise, offers a relatively fast rate of operation.
According to the present invention there is provided a laser marking arrangement wherein a laser beam deflecting means causes the path of a laser beam to scan in one plane, a target is displaced in a direction at right angles to the said plane of scan and a computer controls the firing of the laser at pre-programmed positions along the said scan path, over each or selected scans, whereupon a desired dot-matrix marking over an area of the target is obtained, the laser beam path deflecting means includes a mirror arranged in the path of the laser beam, a mirror displacing device is arranged to displace the said mirror between two extreme positions defining a predetermined angle and said predetermined angle def"anes the angle of scan for the path of the laser beam, characterised in that the said mirror displacing device is arranged to displace the said mirror through said predetermined angle in one direction at a rate of displacement faster than the rate of displacement in the other direction and the laser is controlled to fire only whilst the mirror is being traversed in the direction affording the slower rate of displacement.
Preferably the laser marking arrangement is characterised in that the mirror displacing device is arranged to displace the laser beam path through its predetermined angle of displacement in a series of steps and the laser is controlled to fire only when the path of the laser beam is relatively stable between successive said steps.
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In one preferred embodiment the laser marking arrangement is characterised in that said laser beam deflecting means includes two mirror displacing devices.
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. ~ . ;, , In one such an embodiment the marking arrangement is characterised in that both said mirror displacing devices act on the mirror to displace the said mirror through its said predetermined enzgLe of displacement.
In another embodiment the laser marking arrangement is , characterised in that each said mirror displacing device is~
arranged to displace a mirror individual thereto and the path of the laser~beam~ is deflected by both mirrors to step through the full scan angle.
Preferably with such an embodiment one of said mirror displacing devices has a smaller displacement than the other of said devices and that displacing device having the smaller displacement makes a plurality of complete displacement cycles for each complete displacement cycle made by the other ~P~~B vice.
Preferably the laser marking arrangement is characterised in that the, or each, mirror displacing device includes an electrical device which undergoes a change of shape in response to electrical sigrnals.
Preferably the laser marking arrest is characterised .in that the, or each, said eleetrical device is of the groa~p including piezo-electric devices, electro-strictive devices sad magneto-strictive devices.
Preferably the, or each, mirror displacing means includes a flexure hinge device.
Preferably the laser marking arrest is characterised by a computer, arranged to drive the mirror displacing means and to control the firing of the Laser in accordance with a predetermined programme.
the invention will now be described further by way of e~ple with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
Fig. 1 shows, diagrammatically, a laser marking arrangement in accordance with the invention, ~.!, .,,.
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WO 93!03456 _ ~ ~ ' ~ ~, ~ ~ ,~ O ~ ~ ~~/GB91!~1264 fig. 2 shows, in greater detail, a displacing device suitable for use in the Fig. 1 ~bodimeat, .
Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C, show, graphically, the progression of the deflection in a scanning cycle for the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, ~y,$. t~ , d~.,agra~matically, s second embodiment for a displacing device, Fig. 5 shows, diagraamatically, a further arrangement for a laser marking arrangement.
Fig. 6. shows, graphically, the voltage form applied to the displacing devise shown in Fig. 5 and, Fig. 7 shaves, diatically, a further laser 1~ masl~ng arre~~ent in accordance faith the ~~ s In the laser me~rkix~g axr t illustrated in Fig. 1 a cocm~puter 11 controls the firing of a pulsing laser 12. The beam 13 from the laser 12 passes through a focussing leas 14 .to a fist mirror 15 and, is deflected thereby to a second mirror 16 which directs the beam 13 to a target T to be marked. The target T is displaciaag at uniform speed in a direc~ior~ at right araga.es to the sca~a~sig pleas of the besmb 13.
~e eater 11 ~cludes a programme for a desired marking to be app~.ied to the target T.
A se~asing device 1? in the path of the, target T
detects the leading edge of target T entering the masking zone and initiates the cater printing programme..
The mirror 15 is n~unted on a displacing device 18, 3 0 the second mirror 16 is mounted on a displacing device 19 and the devices 18 mid 19 include electrical devices 20 and 21 respectively which receive operating signals from the computer 11 via lines 22 and 23 respectively.
The electrical devices 20 and 21 comprise devices which vodesgo a ch~mge of shape in response to electrical .
signals and may coaveniP.ntly comprise electro-strictive~
devices, m~aeto-strictive devices, or piezo-electric devices.
The signals given to said devices 20 and 21 on lines 22 and 23 cause dimensional change of said devices 20 and 21 to effect ~Pt of the mirror displacing devices 18 and 19 respectively.
One e~ple of a mirror displacing device 18 is shown in Fig. 2 and comprises a so-called fleacure hinge device, wherein a block 24 of spring steel has a rectangular opening 25 ~~ through its mid-regions and has one end region (the upper ern1 as viewed in Fig. 2) mact~ed to define an irnierted prism block 26 supported by too narrow sections 27 sad 28 of the block material.
~~~ 27 e~cteads to the main body of the block 2~ 24 and the section 28 terminates at its lower end in a block 29, which connects to the main body of the block 24 via a narrow section of block material 30 substantially at right angles to the section 28.
A narrow section of block material 31 extends 2 5 d~o~wawar~ly from the block 29 and has a shoe 32 formed on its bottom end.
The electrical device 20, in this eagle a piezo electric device, fits snugly between the undersurface of the shoe 32 and the internal surface of the rectangular opening 25 3 0 re~te fiom the shoe 32.
~e;flat surface 26a on the prism block 26 is highly polished to comprise the mirror 15.
With the flexure hinge device as descr3.bed above the narrow section 27, the narrow section 28, the narrow section 30 3 5 ~ ~ ~~ section 31 all comprise flexure "hinges" and when s signal on the line 22 causes the electrical device 20 to 2I14i~9 end, the block 29 is displ~a~oed ~Sr~y~ 8t resistance to beading of the sections 27, 28, 30 amd 31 and the upward ~ loalding on the block 29 causes the prism block 26 to deflect and change the pls4e of the mirror surface 26a. ~ ~.
When, the prism block 26 has fully deflected and the signal on line 22 is terminated the prism block 26 is rapidly returned to its start position by the energy stored in the sections 27, 28, 30 sad 31.
It will be apQreciated that the reso~ce frequency of the flenire .hinge devices 18 or 19 can be chaaged by altering the characteristics of t~ sections 27, 28, 30 and 31 and thus the displacing device 19 is identical to the fle~oure hinge illustrated in Fig: 2 and described above, with the exception that ~ the sections 27, 28, 30 a~c~d. 31 are longer to alloy the ~.ection of the mirrored surface 26a to be greater than that of the device 18: The extension of the electrical device 21, as receipt of a aig~el. on the line 23, X7.1 also be greater thna that' of the device 20.
a device illustrated is Fig. 2 and abed shave is only one simple embodiment intended to ,~~trate the operation of such a hinge device and, as is well.
the art of flexiire hinges, each f'J.~ure hinge devices ca~a afford ~a wide range of deflections and can be readily ~,ig,~d to afford a desired d3splac:~ent under the action of a selected electrical device.
The displacing device 18 is arranged to make a xnrober of eamplete displacement c5r~l.es ~~ complete .
di8p18Cemeilt Cycle of the d3ap18C~11t device 19.
Wig. ~ ~~trates the wave form for the displacement of the mirror 15 end, as will be readily sees from the figure, the wave form is a saw-tooth form with the expansion of the device 20 generating the slope and the return, under the action of the sections 27 and 30 of the fleiau'e huge, almost vertical.
Fig: 38 illustrates the wave fore for the displacemeat of the mirror l6 and, as ~rtll be seen from the figure 3B, the ~~'~~'~ ' a ' .
wave form is also a sap tooth form with the e~peaASion of the device 21 generating the slope and the return under the actia~
of the sections 27, 28, 30 and 31 of the fle~oure hinge device almost vertical.
Fig.. 3C sho~rs, graphically, how the high frequency, ~ .
low amplitude displacements of the mirror 15 superimposed on the low freq«cp, high amplitude displacements of the mirror 16 produce a "staircase" gave form for the displacement of the path of the laser beam 13 reflected by the mirror 16 towards the ta~cget T and Whereby the Laser beam path is angularly displaced through a series of small angular displacements, with a dwell period between the ad3acent displacements, Whilst the device 21 is e~cte~ing and returns rapidly ( in one cycle of the mirror l5) n the signal to the device 2l is tesmfnated.
1S The base line-80 wad the final position-6F before the device 21 retinas deteradne the e~ct:reme positions for the laser beam path bnt, as the laser 12 is arranged to fire only rhea the path of the Laser beam is statioc~sry the laser can fi=e only at positions ~91 to $7 lllClusive and thus the angle '8'1 2 0 to -'89 defines the effective scan angle -90 to 6~I of the laser bea~ 13.
Thous, as stated above, the laser 12, under the control of ccm~uter 11, is arraa~ged to fare only whilst the laser beam path is in a dwell period ~1 to 9'7 inclusive and dwell 25 p~~ ~1 tovA7 inclusive define the total rnmaber of spot markings which can be made in each scan of the path of the laser beam 13.
It will also be seen that as the laser 12 fires only whilst the path of the laser beam 13 is in a dwell period, the 30 length of the laser p~u~lse can be equal to the length of the dell. period, end thus a most effective marking of the target T
can be obtained.
In Fig. 3C there are seven dwell periods 91 to $7 inclusive for each complete displacement movement of the mirror 35 16 and, if the laser beam 13 scans the target T five times, ~r ~ be controlled to mark a character on a 7 a 5 dot-WO 93/03456 ~ PGT/GB91/01264 matrix arrangement.
The target T mep comprise any article to be marxed and in practise a pha~ality of targets T map be displaced successively throutgh the path of the laser beam 13 by a conveying means and said targets T can be marked with identical~or different marking, dependant upon the programme or probes stored in the canputer.
A.s laser 12 is fired in response to signals from the computer, which cxintains the desired probe of the marking to be applied to the target T, and as the mirror 16 can perfoan any desired rn~mber of scans for the target area of each target T passing tbrougb the path of the beam 13, the laser 12 can be fired to produce any desired dot-matrix pattern the computer can accept.
As the e~sion of a piezo-electric device in a flexure hinge device as proposed herein is very rapid the marking arsa~gemeat according to the invention can wo=k at very Fta.~ther, as the expansion of a piezo-electric device, 0 at~ea actuated, is constant within very fine lim3.ts ovrer a large rn~ber of operations the laser marking system proposed'by the t ~ntion maintains its accuracy over long operating ~ With the minima of maintenance.
Fig. 4 shows a second e~abodiment for displacing the 2 5 laser beam l3 and wherein two electrical devices 41 , 42, which may be of identical form to the devices 20 and 21 respectively, act between a fixed base R and a common mirror 43. As with the earlier embodiment the conoputer sends signals to the devices 41 and 42 to cause said devices to expand and contract, the device 30 41 eking and contracting with high frequency, low amplitude, ~ilst the device 42 operates at low frequency high amplitude.
Thus, when operating with the mirror 43 in the path of the laser beam 13, the surface of the mirror presented to the 3 5 laser beam l3 displaces in a manner app~aodmatting a '"staircase"
wave form to displace the laser beam path through a succession of small angular displacements with a dwell. period betpeen said successive angular displacement mov~nts.
In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 a laser 51 is arranged to direct its beam 52 onto a mirror 53, supported by a displacing device .54, wad the mirror 53 reflects the beam 52 .
towards ~a target T displacing in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the scan angle 6S of the laser beam 52. A
focussi:~g lens 55~ is located to focus the beam 52 to the desired spot size at the plane of marking on the target T.
Tt~e displacing device 54 may be similar to the displacing device illustrated in Fig. 2 and will then comprise an electrical device 56 and a fle~oure hinge device 57.
The displacing device 54 is driven by a computer 58 which e~ctends a stepping voltage signal, as shown in Fig. 6, to the electrical device 56 and whereupon the electadcal device 56 extends in a series of steps to cause the path of the laser beam to sweep its fi~oed angle of scan.
bus, ~i.th the embodia~ent as described and on detection of a target to be marked, the computer 58 causes the mirror 53 to step the path of the laser beam 52 through its fi~aed angle of scan and the computer 58 activates the laser 51, in accordance with a predetenmiued Programme for marking, whilst the path of the laser beam 52 is substantially stable between successive steps of the mirror 53, thereby to obtain 2 S the pulse length of the beam on each spot on the target necessary to effectively mark the target.
Fig. 6 sho~rs voltage Y plotted against time t for the signals tre~aitted by the com~ruter to the eleetrical device 56 in the Fig. 5 embodiment and wherein the stepping voltage defines 7 dwell periods "D" within which the voltage is substantially stable and the laser 51 can be fired.
In~all, the above embodiments the dwell period between successive steps when the laser beam is held substantially stable will be arranged to be of sufficient duration as to ~~ ~e her beam to effectively mark the target.
In all the foregoing examples the laser beam is WO 93/03456 - 11 - 21 ~ 4 j O 9 ~/GB91/01264 . ~ , , .
stepped through its angle of scan arid the laser is fired only during d~rell periods of the laser beam and, with the laser beam static when the laser is fired, the marking spots applied to the target are of substantially uniform shape and oonfiguratiaa. and a most acc~cate and clear marking of the target is thereby obtained.
In the example illustrated in Fig. 7 a computer 61 ~~ols a laser 62 and extends sigpals to a piezo-electric device 63 driving a device 64. The flexure hinge device 64 su~orts a mirror 65 and the laser beam 66 from the laser 62 passes through a focussing lens 67 to strike the mi~cror 65 and be deflected thereby onto a target T.
The computer 61 sends a continuously increasing signal to the piezo~-electrical device to cause said device to DIY and, on terndnation of the signal, the piezo-electrical device immediately returns to its start position.
Thus, with thin arrest, the mirror 65 is ~~ly in one direction under the action of the piezo-electric device and, contrary to the previous exano~ples, the computer 61 is arra~~ged to fire the laser 62 whilst the mdrtor 65 is being displaced in the direction caused by the expansion of the piezo-electric device 63.
The computer 6I is arranged to fire the laser 62 at a rn~ber of preselected signal stacengths for the cont3.mousl~
increasing signal to the piezoelectric device 63, and thus at a predetermined rnm~ber of spaced apart locations along the path of scan, so that successive firings of the laser 62 are spaced apart in the scan direction of the laser beam.
Whilst this method of marking does require the mirror 65 to be displacing when the laser 62 fires, and some elongation, in the direction of scan, of the spot applied to the target will. take place, practise has shoran that with a relatively short laser pulse an acceptable, marking of the tat8et T can be obtained:
z~.l~~~o~ 16 AUGUST 1993 'vZMPROV~1TS IN OR RELATTNG TO LASER MARKING ARRArIG~NTS"
This invention relates to lasers and, more particularly, to laser dot-matrix -markang and printing, . hereinafter referred to as "marking". _ Laser marking is well known in the art and in one such laser marking arrangement a prz7.s~d laser beam is directed through an optical system including a laser beam deflecting means, the beam deflecting means is controlled by a computer and a programme in the computer controls the deflecting means to cause the path of the laser beam to be traversed through a fixed angle, thus to sweep or "scan" a target.
For most such arrangements the laser beam is caased to scan in one plane and the target is displaced in a direction at right angles to the said plane of laser beam displacement whereupon the scan of the laser beam in combination with the target displacement, allows marking over an area of the target.
The computer further controls the firing of the laser, -.; n . ~ ..,a nrf.
. . . . ' ,.m . C . ...
r~.~ i ~~;~:r~acdo~all Application ~U~~ ~ a j ~ .~..~ ~~ a WO 93/03456 ~ ~~ . PGT/GB91/01264 'f .in pre-programmed positions along the scan path of the laser beam over each or selected . scans, ~1'~re~Oa a desired dot-matriu marldag over an area..qf..the target 18 obtained.
Such an arracgemeat, comprising a computer controlled laser with a laser beam deflecting means arranged to direct the .
laser beam to scan a target in one plane is, hereinafter referred to as "a laser marking system of the type defied".
The target area may comptiae a laminate, the euternal layer of which is~bur~nt swap or vaporized by the laser beam to use the sec:~d layer which is differently oolocred from the surface laye~c, or the tyeat generated by the beam may cause a distinctive disc~loratio~ of the target surface or the beam may etch the Surface of the target.
Any giv~eu target surface to be marked by a laser beam 5 requires a minim~na density of the beam over a p~ed~etes~ed dwell petiod to prod~u~ a satisfactory marking of ~ surface. the length of the laser pulse required for a given target surface 18 inversely Proporticcal to the available laser poorer and proportional to the area of the target surface in the path of tb~e laser beam whew the laser isvpvlsed.
A pzoblem exists ~rlth prior att~laser marking systems of the type defined in that cucreatlp proposed beam deflecting mesas are relatively slow to operate or are very erpeusive and i~efficieat.
2 5 By Way of one exa~le, the Urti.ted Patent Publication No. 2133352 discloses a laser marking system of the type defined wherein the output beam of an RF excited wave guide os now-rwave guide C02 laser is directed through an ac~usto-optic deflector, electronic control mesas synchronized ~~' ~ dtjve means drive the ac:ovsto-optic deflector so as to selectively deflect the laser pulses in space to produce a one-dimension array of pulses, sad an optical system focuses ~ ~~ ~ said array onto an 'article to be marked.
Acxuato-optic deflectors are relatively expensive, as also is 'the ogticel systeln'ptowided;to receive the output beam fran the ac~sasto-optic deflector to focus said beam and to g~.ve an ~~jt~~ 9 ) / 0 ) Z 6 ~
_ 3 21~.~~~.~~ ~~ r X9,93 acceptable scan dimensions for the focussed beam.
In other embodiments disclosed in the United Kingdom Patent Publication No 2133352 the acousto-optic deflector is replaced by a mirror arrangement, which may include a multi-faceted spinning mirror or a two mirror system in which one mirror is fixed and the other mirror is displaced by an electronic device, such as a piezoelectric transducer.
An object of the present invention is to provide a laser beam deflecting means of relatively cheap construction which affords a relatively wide range of scan, which affords a high degree of accuracy for the direction of the beam and which, in practise, offers a relatively fast rate of operation.
According to the present invention there is provided a laser marking arrangement wherein a laser beam deflecting means causes the path of a laser beam to scan in one plane, a target is displaced in a direction at right angles to the said plane of scan and a computer controls the firing of the laser at pre-programmed positions along the said scan path, over each or selected scans, whereupon a desired dot-matrix marking over an area of the target is obtained, the laser beam path deflecting means includes a mirror arranged in the path of the laser beam, a mirror displacing device is arranged to displace the said mirror between two extreme positions defining a predetermined angle and said predetermined angle def"anes the angle of scan for the path of the laser beam, characterised in that the said mirror displacing device is arranged to displace the said mirror through said predetermined angle in one direction at a rate of displacement faster than the rate of displacement in the other direction and the laser is controlled to fire only whilst the mirror is being traversed in the direction affording the slower rate of displacement.
Preferably the laser marking arrangement is characterised in that the mirror displacing device is arranged to displace the laser beam path through its predetermined angle of displacement in a series of steps and the laser is controlled to fire only when the path of the laser beam is relatively stable between successive said steps.
t.;:;~;a,a ~~j,~,~ om atent ~ffiee -~.
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In one preferred embodiment the laser marking arrangement is characterised in that said laser beam deflecting means includes two mirror displacing devices.
~~in~~~;a.~ ..°r;~.:,..,7m atent ~e . r ,~~ .._ ; ,.,#rn .- :--.~.,~,~,- .: , .,. .
_. . ..... ~V~~~ . .s.~ ~U~~TI~UT
WO 93/03456 ~ PCT/GB91/01264 ' w' ~ _ ~ , a . ~ ..:.<.
. ~ . ;, , In one such an embodiment the marking arrangement is characterised in that both said mirror displacing devices act on the mirror to displace the said mirror through its said predetermined enzgLe of displacement.
In another embodiment the laser marking arrangement is , characterised in that each said mirror displacing device is~
arranged to displace a mirror individual thereto and the path of the laser~beam~ is deflected by both mirrors to step through the full scan angle.
Preferably with such an embodiment one of said mirror displacing devices has a smaller displacement than the other of said devices and that displacing device having the smaller displacement makes a plurality of complete displacement cycles for each complete displacement cycle made by the other ~P~~B vice.
Preferably the laser marking arrangement is characterised in that the, or each, mirror displacing device includes an electrical device which undergoes a change of shape in response to electrical sigrnals.
Preferably the laser marking arrest is characterised .in that the, or each, said eleetrical device is of the groa~p including piezo-electric devices, electro-strictive devices sad magneto-strictive devices.
Preferably the, or each, mirror displacing means includes a flexure hinge device.
Preferably the laser marking arrest is characterised by a computer, arranged to drive the mirror displacing means and to control the firing of the Laser in accordance with a predetermined programme.
the invention will now be described further by way of e~ple with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
Fig. 1 shows, diagrammatically, a laser marking arrangement in accordance with the invention, ~.!, .,,.
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WO 93!03456 _ ~ ~ ' ~ ~, ~ ~ ,~ O ~ ~ ~~/GB91!~1264 fig. 2 shows, in greater detail, a displacing device suitable for use in the Fig. 1 ~bodimeat, .
Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C, show, graphically, the progression of the deflection in a scanning cycle for the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, ~y,$. t~ , d~.,agra~matically, s second embodiment for a displacing device, Fig. 5 shows, diagraamatically, a further arrangement for a laser marking arrangement.
Fig. 6. shows, graphically, the voltage form applied to the displacing devise shown in Fig. 5 and, Fig. 7 shaves, diatically, a further laser 1~ masl~ng arre~~ent in accordance faith the ~~ s In the laser me~rkix~g axr t illustrated in Fig. 1 a cocm~puter 11 controls the firing of a pulsing laser 12. The beam 13 from the laser 12 passes through a focussing leas 14 .to a fist mirror 15 and, is deflected thereby to a second mirror 16 which directs the beam 13 to a target T to be marked. The target T is displaciaag at uniform speed in a direc~ior~ at right araga.es to the sca~a~sig pleas of the besmb 13.
~e eater 11 ~cludes a programme for a desired marking to be app~.ied to the target T.
A se~asing device 1? in the path of the, target T
detects the leading edge of target T entering the masking zone and initiates the cater printing programme..
The mirror 15 is n~unted on a displacing device 18, 3 0 the second mirror 16 is mounted on a displacing device 19 and the devices 18 mid 19 include electrical devices 20 and 21 respectively which receive operating signals from the computer 11 via lines 22 and 23 respectively.
The electrical devices 20 and 21 comprise devices which vodesgo a ch~mge of shape in response to electrical .
signals and may coaveniP.ntly comprise electro-strictive~
devices, m~aeto-strictive devices, or piezo-electric devices.
The signals given to said devices 20 and 21 on lines 22 and 23 cause dimensional change of said devices 20 and 21 to effect ~Pt of the mirror displacing devices 18 and 19 respectively.
One e~ple of a mirror displacing device 18 is shown in Fig. 2 and comprises a so-called fleacure hinge device, wherein a block 24 of spring steel has a rectangular opening 25 ~~ through its mid-regions and has one end region (the upper ern1 as viewed in Fig. 2) mact~ed to define an irnierted prism block 26 supported by too narrow sections 27 sad 28 of the block material.
~~~ 27 e~cteads to the main body of the block 2~ 24 and the section 28 terminates at its lower end in a block 29, which connects to the main body of the block 24 via a narrow section of block material 30 substantially at right angles to the section 28.
A narrow section of block material 31 extends 2 5 d~o~wawar~ly from the block 29 and has a shoe 32 formed on its bottom end.
The electrical device 20, in this eagle a piezo electric device, fits snugly between the undersurface of the shoe 32 and the internal surface of the rectangular opening 25 3 0 re~te fiom the shoe 32.
~e;flat surface 26a on the prism block 26 is highly polished to comprise the mirror 15.
With the flexure hinge device as descr3.bed above the narrow section 27, the narrow section 28, the narrow section 30 3 5 ~ ~ ~~ section 31 all comprise flexure "hinges" and when s signal on the line 22 causes the electrical device 20 to 2I14i~9 end, the block 29 is displ~a~oed ~Sr~y~ 8t resistance to beading of the sections 27, 28, 30 amd 31 and the upward ~ loalding on the block 29 causes the prism block 26 to deflect and change the pls4e of the mirror surface 26a. ~ ~.
When, the prism block 26 has fully deflected and the signal on line 22 is terminated the prism block 26 is rapidly returned to its start position by the energy stored in the sections 27, 28, 30 sad 31.
It will be apQreciated that the reso~ce frequency of the flenire .hinge devices 18 or 19 can be chaaged by altering the characteristics of t~ sections 27, 28, 30 and 31 and thus the displacing device 19 is identical to the fle~oure hinge illustrated in Fig: 2 and described above, with the exception that ~ the sections 27, 28, 30 a~c~d. 31 are longer to alloy the ~.ection of the mirrored surface 26a to be greater than that of the device 18: The extension of the electrical device 21, as receipt of a aig~el. on the line 23, X7.1 also be greater thna that' of the device 20.
a device illustrated is Fig. 2 and abed shave is only one simple embodiment intended to ,~~trate the operation of such a hinge device and, as is well.
the art of flexiire hinges, each f'J.~ure hinge devices ca~a afford ~a wide range of deflections and can be readily ~,ig,~d to afford a desired d3splac:~ent under the action of a selected electrical device.
The displacing device 18 is arranged to make a xnrober of eamplete displacement c5r~l.es ~~ complete .
di8p18Cemeilt Cycle of the d3ap18C~11t device 19.
Wig. ~ ~~trates the wave form for the displacement of the mirror 15 end, as will be readily sees from the figure, the wave form is a saw-tooth form with the expansion of the device 20 generating the slope and the return, under the action of the sections 27 and 30 of the fleiau'e huge, almost vertical.
Fig: 38 illustrates the wave fore for the displacemeat of the mirror l6 and, as ~rtll be seen from the figure 3B, the ~~'~~'~ ' a ' .
wave form is also a sap tooth form with the e~peaASion of the device 21 generating the slope and the return under the actia~
of the sections 27, 28, 30 and 31 of the fle~oure hinge device almost vertical.
Fig.. 3C sho~rs, graphically, how the high frequency, ~ .
low amplitude displacements of the mirror 15 superimposed on the low freq«cp, high amplitude displacements of the mirror 16 produce a "staircase" gave form for the displacement of the path of the laser beam 13 reflected by the mirror 16 towards the ta~cget T and Whereby the Laser beam path is angularly displaced through a series of small angular displacements, with a dwell period between the ad3acent displacements, Whilst the device 21 is e~cte~ing and returns rapidly ( in one cycle of the mirror l5) n the signal to the device 2l is tesmfnated.
1S The base line-80 wad the final position-6F before the device 21 retinas deteradne the e~ct:reme positions for the laser beam path bnt, as the laser 12 is arranged to fire only rhea the path of the Laser beam is statioc~sry the laser can fi=e only at positions ~91 to $7 lllClusive and thus the angle '8'1 2 0 to -'89 defines the effective scan angle -90 to 6~I of the laser bea~ 13.
Thous, as stated above, the laser 12, under the control of ccm~uter 11, is arraa~ged to fare only whilst the laser beam path is in a dwell period ~1 to 9'7 inclusive and dwell 25 p~~ ~1 tovA7 inclusive define the total rnmaber of spot markings which can be made in each scan of the path of the laser beam 13.
It will also be seen that as the laser 12 fires only whilst the path of the laser beam 13 is in a dwell period, the 30 length of the laser p~u~lse can be equal to the length of the dell. period, end thus a most effective marking of the target T
can be obtained.
In Fig. 3C there are seven dwell periods 91 to $7 inclusive for each complete displacement movement of the mirror 35 16 and, if the laser beam 13 scans the target T five times, ~r ~ be controlled to mark a character on a 7 a 5 dot-WO 93/03456 ~ PGT/GB91/01264 matrix arrangement.
The target T mep comprise any article to be marxed and in practise a pha~ality of targets T map be displaced successively throutgh the path of the laser beam 13 by a conveying means and said targets T can be marked with identical~or different marking, dependant upon the programme or probes stored in the canputer.
A.s laser 12 is fired in response to signals from the computer, which cxintains the desired probe of the marking to be applied to the target T, and as the mirror 16 can perfoan any desired rn~mber of scans for the target area of each target T passing tbrougb the path of the beam 13, the laser 12 can be fired to produce any desired dot-matrix pattern the computer can accept.
As the e~sion of a piezo-electric device in a flexure hinge device as proposed herein is very rapid the marking arsa~gemeat according to the invention can wo=k at very Fta.~ther, as the expansion of a piezo-electric device, 0 at~ea actuated, is constant within very fine lim3.ts ovrer a large rn~ber of operations the laser marking system proposed'by the t ~ntion maintains its accuracy over long operating ~ With the minima of maintenance.
Fig. 4 shows a second e~abodiment for displacing the 2 5 laser beam l3 and wherein two electrical devices 41 , 42, which may be of identical form to the devices 20 and 21 respectively, act between a fixed base R and a common mirror 43. As with the earlier embodiment the conoputer sends signals to the devices 41 and 42 to cause said devices to expand and contract, the device 30 41 eking and contracting with high frequency, low amplitude, ~ilst the device 42 operates at low frequency high amplitude.
Thus, when operating with the mirror 43 in the path of the laser beam 13, the surface of the mirror presented to the 3 5 laser beam l3 displaces in a manner app~aodmatting a '"staircase"
wave form to displace the laser beam path through a succession of small angular displacements with a dwell. period betpeen said successive angular displacement mov~nts.
In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 a laser 51 is arranged to direct its beam 52 onto a mirror 53, supported by a displacing device .54, wad the mirror 53 reflects the beam 52 .
towards ~a target T displacing in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the scan angle 6S of the laser beam 52. A
focussi:~g lens 55~ is located to focus the beam 52 to the desired spot size at the plane of marking on the target T.
Tt~e displacing device 54 may be similar to the displacing device illustrated in Fig. 2 and will then comprise an electrical device 56 and a fle~oure hinge device 57.
The displacing device 54 is driven by a computer 58 which e~ctends a stepping voltage signal, as shown in Fig. 6, to the electrical device 56 and whereupon the electadcal device 56 extends in a series of steps to cause the path of the laser beam to sweep its fi~oed angle of scan.
bus, ~i.th the embodia~ent as described and on detection of a target to be marked, the computer 58 causes the mirror 53 to step the path of the laser beam 52 through its fi~aed angle of scan and the computer 58 activates the laser 51, in accordance with a predetenmiued Programme for marking, whilst the path of the laser beam 52 is substantially stable between successive steps of the mirror 53, thereby to obtain 2 S the pulse length of the beam on each spot on the target necessary to effectively mark the target.
Fig. 6 sho~rs voltage Y plotted against time t for the signals tre~aitted by the com~ruter to the eleetrical device 56 in the Fig. 5 embodiment and wherein the stepping voltage defines 7 dwell periods "D" within which the voltage is substantially stable and the laser 51 can be fired.
In~all, the above embodiments the dwell period between successive steps when the laser beam is held substantially stable will be arranged to be of sufficient duration as to ~~ ~e her beam to effectively mark the target.
In all the foregoing examples the laser beam is WO 93/03456 - 11 - 21 ~ 4 j O 9 ~/GB91/01264 . ~ , , .
stepped through its angle of scan arid the laser is fired only during d~rell periods of the laser beam and, with the laser beam static when the laser is fired, the marking spots applied to the target are of substantially uniform shape and oonfiguratiaa. and a most acc~cate and clear marking of the target is thereby obtained.
In the example illustrated in Fig. 7 a computer 61 ~~ols a laser 62 and extends sigpals to a piezo-electric device 63 driving a device 64. The flexure hinge device 64 su~orts a mirror 65 and the laser beam 66 from the laser 62 passes through a focussing lens 67 to strike the mi~cror 65 and be deflected thereby onto a target T.
The computer 61 sends a continuously increasing signal to the piezo~-electrical device to cause said device to DIY and, on terndnation of the signal, the piezo-electrical device immediately returns to its start position.
Thus, with thin arrest, the mirror 65 is ~~ly in one direction under the action of the piezo-electric device and, contrary to the previous exano~ples, the computer 61 is arra~~ged to fire the laser 62 whilst the mdrtor 65 is being displaced in the direction caused by the expansion of the piezo-electric device 63.
The computer 6I is arranged to fire the laser 62 at a rn~ber of preselected signal stacengths for the cont3.mousl~
increasing signal to the piezoelectric device 63, and thus at a predetermined rnm~ber of spaced apart locations along the path of scan, so that successive firings of the laser 62 are spaced apart in the scan direction of the laser beam.
Whilst this method of marking does require the mirror 65 to be displacing when the laser 62 fires, and some elongation, in the direction of scan, of the spot applied to the target will. take place, practise has shoran that with a relatively short laser pulse an acceptable, marking of the tat8et T can be obtained:
Claims (10)
1. A laser marking arrangement wherein a laser beam deflecting means causes the path of a laser beam to scan in one plane, a target is displaced in a direction at right angles to the said plane of scan and a computer controls the firing of the laser at pre-programmed positions along the said scan path, over each or selected scans, whereupon a desired dot-matrix marking over an area of the target is obtained, the laser beam path deflecting means includes a mirror (16, 26a, 43, 53, 65) arranged in the path of the laser beam (13, 52, or 66), a mirror displacing device (18, 19, 24, 41, 42, 57, 64) is arranged to displace the said mirror (16, 26a, 43, 53, 65) between two extreme positions defining a predetermined angle and said predetermined angle defining the angle of scan for the path of the laser beam (13, 52, 66) characterised in that the said mirror displacing device (18, 19, 24, 41, 42, 57, 64) is arranged to displace the said mirror (16, 26a, 43, 53, 65) through said predetermined angle in one direction at a rate of displacement faster than the rate of displacement in the other direction and the laser (12, 51, 62) is controlled to fire only whilst the mirror (16, 26a, 43, 53, 65) is being traversed in the direction affording the slower rate of displacement.
2. A laser marking arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the mirror displacing device (18, 19, 24, 41, 42, 57, 64) is arranged to displace the laser beam path through its predetermined angle of displacement in a series of steps and the laser (12, 51, 62) is controlled to fire only when the path of the laser beam (13, 52, 66) is relatively stable between successive said steps.
3. A laser marking arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said laser beam deflecting means includes two mirror displacing devices (18, 19, 24, 41, 42).
4. A laser marking arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that both said mirror displacing devices (41, 42) act on the mirror (43) to displace the said mirror (43), through its said predetermined angle of displacement.
5. A laser marking arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that each said mirror displacing device (18, 19) is arranged to displace a mirror (15, 16) individual thereto and the path of the laser beam (13) is deflected by both mirrors (15, 16) to step through the full scan angle.
6. A laser marking arrangement according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterised in that one of said mirror displacing devices (18, 24, 41) has a smaller displacement than the other of said devices (19, 24, 42) and that displacing device (18, 24, 41) having the smaller displacement makes a plurality of complete displacement cycles for each complete displacement cycle made by the other displacing device (19, 24, 42).
7. A laser marking arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the, or each, mirror displacing device (18, 19, 24, 41, 42, 57, 64) includes an electrical device (20, 21, 41, 42, 56, 63) which undergoes a change of shape in response to electrical signals.
8. A laser marking arrangement according to claim 7, characterised in that said electrical device (20, 21, 41, 42, 56, 63) is of the group including piezi-electric devices, electro-strictive devices and magneto-strictive devices.
9. A laser marking arrangement according to any preceding claim.characterised in that the, or each, mirror displacing means (18, 19, 24, 57, 64) includes a flexure hinge device.
10. A laser marking arrangement according to any preceding claim characterised by a computer (11, 58, 61) arranged to drive the mirror displacing means (18, 19, 24, 41, 42, 57, 64) and to control the firing of the laser in accordance with a predetermined programme.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB909003268A GB9003268D0 (en) | 1990-02-13 | 1990-02-13 | Improvements in or relating to lasers |
| PCT/GB1991/001264 WO1993003456A1 (en) | 1990-02-13 | 1991-07-26 | Oscillating mirrors for laser printer |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2114109A1 CA2114109A1 (en) | 1993-02-18 |
| CA2114109C true CA2114109C (en) | 2002-05-28 |
Family
ID=37398888
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002114109A Expired - Fee Related CA2114109C (en) | 1990-02-13 | 1991-07-26 | Improvements in or relating to laser marking arrangements |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5600478A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0596880B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH08500059A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE146887T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2114109C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69123854T2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2097812T3 (en) |
| GB (2) | GB9003268D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993003456A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT1242638B (en) * | 1990-11-15 | 1994-05-16 | Hal 9000 Informatica Srl | ALTERNATIVE LASER LIGHT DEFLECTOR |
| DE29514319U1 (en) * | 1995-09-07 | 1997-01-16 | Sator Alexander Paul | Device for labeling objects |
| US5915063A (en) * | 1997-01-15 | 1999-06-22 | Colbourne; Paul | Variable optical attenuator |
| US5864417A (en) * | 1997-06-25 | 1999-01-26 | Ho; Ko-Liang | Laser audio-visual equipment |
| US6706995B2 (en) * | 1998-07-16 | 2004-03-16 | Ball Corporation | Laser light marking of a container portion |
| US20030024913A1 (en) * | 2002-04-15 | 2003-02-06 | Downes Joseph P. | Laser scanning method and system for marking articles such as printed circuit boards, integrated circuits and the like |
| US6528762B2 (en) * | 2001-02-12 | 2003-03-04 | W. A. Whitney Co. | Laser beam position control apparatus for a CNC laser equipped machine tool |
| US20040144760A1 (en) * | 2002-05-17 | 2004-07-29 | Cahill Steven P. | Method and system for marking a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer and laser marker for use therein |
| AUPS326102A0 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2002-07-18 | Clvr Pty Ltd | Scanning device and method of scanning an optical beam over a surface |
| AU2003240315B2 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2009-07-16 | Cv Laser Pty Ltd | Scanning device and method of scanning an optical beam over a surface |
| US7064810B2 (en) * | 2003-09-15 | 2006-06-20 | Deere & Company | Optical range finder with directed attention |
| US6839127B1 (en) | 2003-09-15 | 2005-01-04 | Deere & Company | Optical range finder having a micro-mirror array |
| US7916898B2 (en) * | 2003-09-15 | 2011-03-29 | Deere & Company | Method and system for identifying an edge of a crop |
| US20060189091A1 (en) * | 2004-11-11 | 2006-08-24 | Bo Gu | Method and system for laser hard marking |
| US7705268B2 (en) * | 2004-11-11 | 2010-04-27 | Gsi Group Corporation | Method and system for laser soft marking |
| RU2457522C1 (en) * | 2011-03-02 | 2012-07-27 | Государственное Научное Учреждение "Институт Физики Имени Б.И. Степанова Национальной Академии Наук Беларуси" | Laser labelling apparatus |
| CN107430269B (en) * | 2015-03-06 | 2020-10-02 | 英特尔公司 | Acousto-optic deflector and mirror for laser beam steering |
Family Cites Families (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1520281A (en) * | 1974-07-10 | 1978-08-02 | Canon Kk | Electrophotographic recording apparatus |
| JPS5574511A (en) * | 1978-11-30 | 1980-06-05 | Toshiba Corp | Driving system of optical scanning device |
| JPS55111917A (en) * | 1979-02-22 | 1980-08-29 | Toshiba Corp | Reciprocating photo scanner |
| US4388652A (en) * | 1979-04-30 | 1983-06-14 | Harris Corporation | Synchronized, variable speed capstan motor drive system for facsimile recorder |
| DE3035315C2 (en) * | 1980-09-18 | 1984-07-12 | Erwin Sick Gmbh Optik-Elektronik, 7808 Waldkirch | Piezoelectric light deflection device |
| GB2133352B (en) * | 1983-01-13 | 1985-09-11 | Laser Applic Limited | A laser marking system |
| US4497465A (en) * | 1983-03-31 | 1985-02-05 | Storage Technology Partners Ii | Pivotal mechanism upon which tracking mirrors and the like used in optical systems may be mounted |
| JPS61117517A (en) * | 1984-11-13 | 1986-06-04 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Method for correcting scanning speed of galvanometer |
| GB2175705B (en) * | 1985-05-24 | 1989-04-19 | Stc Plc | Dirigible reflector and mounting made of crystal material |
| US4648683A (en) * | 1985-05-28 | 1987-03-10 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Adjustable length slotless female contact for connectors |
| US4714310A (en) * | 1986-04-21 | 1987-12-22 | Sri International | Method and apparatus for dynamic focusing control of a radiant energy beam |
| JPS6314117A (en) * | 1986-07-04 | 1988-01-21 | Konica Corp | Laser recording device |
| US4971413A (en) * | 1987-05-13 | 1990-11-20 | Nikon Corporation | Laser beam depicting apparatus |
-
1990
- 1990-02-13 GB GB909003268A patent/GB9003268D0/en active Pending
-
1991
- 1991-02-12 GB GB9102868A patent/GB2241592B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-07-26 WO PCT/GB1991/001264 patent/WO1993003456A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1991-07-26 ES ES91913797T patent/ES2097812T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-07-26 JP JP3513007A patent/JPH08500059A/en active Pending
- 1991-07-26 AT AT91913797T patent/ATE146887T1/en active
- 1991-07-26 US US08/185,854 patent/US5600478A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-07-26 CA CA002114109A patent/CA2114109C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-07-26 DE DE69123854T patent/DE69123854T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-07-26 EP EP91913797A patent/EP0596880B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69123854T2 (en) | 1997-07-31 |
| GB9003268D0 (en) | 1990-04-11 |
| GB2241592A (en) | 1991-09-04 |
| GB9102868D0 (en) | 1991-03-27 |
| WO1993003456A1 (en) | 1993-02-18 |
| DE69123854D1 (en) | 1997-02-06 |
| US5600478A (en) | 1997-02-04 |
| ES2097812T3 (en) | 1997-04-16 |
| ATE146887T1 (en) | 1997-01-15 |
| EP0596880A1 (en) | 1994-05-18 |
| EP0596880B1 (en) | 1996-12-27 |
| CA2114109A1 (en) | 1993-02-18 |
| GB2241592B (en) | 1994-10-05 |
| JPH08500059A (en) | 1996-01-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20030728 |