Laser marker system

Abstract

A laser marker system for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length and a single laser source. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The single laser source is arranged so that its energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The single laser source includes segmented reflecting means for generating a plurality of output energy beams to create a column of spots on the substrate with a higher resolution. The segmented reflecting means is comprised of a back-reflecting mirror which is formed of a plurality of different mirror segments. A device is provided for moving each of the plurality of different mirror segments between a lasing position and a non-lasing position to vary the number of output energy beams and thus the number of spots on the substrate.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A laser marking system for marking indicia onto a substrate comprising: a) an exit lens having a focal length, the surface of the substrate to be marked being positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens;   b) a single laser source .[.arranged so that its energy output.]. .Iadd.operable to produce output energy .Iaddend.beams .Iadd.which .Iaddend.are oriented in a generally parallel relationship; and   c) said single laser source including segmented reflecting means.Iadd., each movable between lasing and non-lasing positions, .Iaddend.for .Iadd.selectively .Iaddend.generating .[.a plurality of.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.output energy beams .Iadd.directed to said exit lens .Iaddend.to create .[.a column of.]. spots on the substrate. .[.with a higher resolution..].   
     
     
       2. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said segmented reflecting means is comprised of a back-reflecting mirror which is formed of a plurality of different mirror segments. 
     
     
       3. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 2, .[.further comprising.]. .Iadd.wherein said segmented reflecting means includes .Iaddend.means for moving each of said plurality of different mirror segments between a lasing position and a non-lasing position to vary the number of output energy beams and thus the number of spots on the substrate. 
     
     
       4. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said .[.plurality of mirror segments are located on an end of.]. .Iadd.laser source includes .Iaddend.an enclosure containing a gas-filled chamber.[...]..Iadd., said back reflecting mirror being positioned on an end of the enclosure in operative relation with the gas-filled chamber.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       5. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said .[.plurality of mirror segments are located outside of.]. .Iadd.laser source includes .Iaddend.an enclosure containing a gas-filled chamber.[...]..Iadd., said back reflecting mirror being positioned adjacent said enclosure in operative relation with the gas-filled chamber..Iaddend. 
     
     
       6. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 5, .[.wherein.]. .Iadd.further comprising .Iaddend.an IR window .[.is.]. positioned on the end of .[.the enclosure containing.]. the gas-filled chamber. 
     
     
       7. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said single laser source is formed in a multi-cavity block so as to define multiple laser channels. 
     
     
       8. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a plurality of barriers in which each is disposed between adjacent channels so as to reduce interaction of one energy beam with another one. 
     
     
       9. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for moving each of said plurality of different mirror segments includes means for rotating said mirror segments. 
     
     
       10. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for moving each of said plurality of different mirror segments includes means for flexing said mirror segments. 
     
     
       11. A laser marker system for marking indicia onto a substrate, comprising: a) a single laser source .[.including segmented reflecting means for generating a plurality of energy.]. .Iadd.operable to produce .Iaddend.output .Iadd.energy .Iaddend.beams .[.arranged so that its energy output beams.]. .Iadd.which .Iaddend.are oriented in a generally parallel relationship;   .Iadd.b) a delivery tube through which the output .Iadd.energy .Iaddend.beams travel.[.s.].;   c) an exit lens disposed at the end of the delivery tube remote from said .Iadd.single .Iaddend.laser source .[.and onto which the energy output beams are directed for focusing.]..Iadd., said exit lens focusing said .Iaddend.output .Iadd.energy .Iaddend.beams onto said substrate .Iadd.which is .Iaddend.positioned .Iadd.generally .Iaddend.at the focal plane of the lens .[.to create a column of spots on the substrate..]..Iadd.; and   d) said single laser source including segmented reflecting means each movable between lasing and non-lasing positions for selectively generating said output energy beams directed to said exit lens to create spots on the substrate..Iaddend.   
     
     
       12. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said segmented reflecting means is comprised of a back reflecting mirror which is formed of a plurality of different mirror segments. 
     
     
       13. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 12, .[.further comprising.]. .Iadd.wherein said segmented reflecting means includes .Iaddend.means for moving each of said plurality of different mirror segments between a lasing position and a non-lasing position to vary the number of output energy beams and thus the number of spots on the substrate. 
     
     
       14. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said .[.plurality of mirror segments are located on an end of.]. .Iadd.single laser source includes .Iaddend.an enclosure containing a gas-filled chamber.[...]..Iadd., said back reflecting mirror being positioned on an end of said enclosure in operative relation with the gas-filled chamber..Iaddend. 
     
     
       15. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said .[.plurality of mirror segments are located outside of.]. .Iadd.laser source includes .Iaddend.an enclosure containing a gas-filled chamber.[...]..Iadd., said back reflecting mirror being positioned adjacent said enclosure in operative relation with the gas-filled chamber..Iaddend. 
     
     
       16. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 15, .[.wherein.]. .Iadd.further comprising .Iaddend.an IR window .[.is.]. positioned on the end of .[.the enclosure containing.]. the gas-filled chamber.[...]. .Iadd.opposite said back reflecting mirror for transmitting said output energy beams to said delivery tube..Iaddend. 
     
     
       17. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said single laser source is formed in a multi-cavity block so as to define multiple laser channels. 
     
     
       18. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a plurality of barriers in which each is disposed between adjacent channels so as to reduce interaction of one energy beam with another one. 
     
     
       19. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said means for moving each of said plurality of different mirror segments includes means for rotating said mirror segments. 
     
     
       20. A laser marker system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said means for moving each of said plurality of different mirror segments includes means for flexing said mirror segments. 
     
     
       21. A laser marker system for generating a plurality of coherent energy beams to mark indicia on a substrate comprising: a) an exit lens having a focal length, the surface of the substrate to be marked being positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens;   b) a single laser source .[.arranged so that its energy output.]. .Iadd.operable to produce output energy .Iaddend.beams .Iadd.which .Iaddend.are oriented in a generally parallel relationship; and   c) said single laser source .[.directed at a.]. .Iadd.including .Iaddend.segmented reflecting means.Iadd., each movable between lasing and non-lasing positions, .Iaddend.for .Iadd.selectively .Iaddend.generating .[.a plurality of.]. said output energy beams .Iadd.directed to said exit lens, .Iaddend.each of said beams .Iadd.being .Iaddend.of sufficient energy to create a spot on the substrate.