Classifications

• • 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
  • B23K26/083—Devices involving movement of the workpiece in at least one axial direction
  • B23K26/0838—Devices involving movement of the workpiece in at least one axial direction by using an endless conveyor belt
• • 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
  • B23K26/02—Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
  • B23K26/03—Observing, e.g. monitoring, the workpiece
  • B23K26/032—Observing, e.g. monitoring, the workpiece using optical means
• • 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
  • B23K26/02—Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
  • B23K26/03—Observing, e.g. monitoring, the workpiece
  • B23K26/0342—Observing magnetic fields related to the workpiece
• • 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
  • B23K26/02—Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
  • B23K26/03—Observing, e.g. monitoring, the workpiece
  • B23K26/0344—Observing the speed of the workpiece
• • 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
  • B23K26/02—Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
  • B23K26/06—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
  • B23K26/064—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms
• • 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
  • B23K26/02—Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
  • B23K26/06—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
  • B23K26/064—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms
  • B23K26/0643—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms comprising mirrors
• • 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
  • B23K26/02—Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
  • B23K26/06—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
  • B23K26/064—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms
  • B23K26/0648—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms comprising lenses
• • 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
  • B23K26/02—Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
  • B23K26/06—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
  • B23K26/067—Dividing the beam into multiple beams, e.g. multi-focusing
  • B23K26/0673—Dividing the beam into multiple beams, e.g. multi-focusing into independently operating sub-beams, e.g. beam multiplexing to provide laser beams for several stations
• • 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
• • 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
  • B23K26/12—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring in a special environment or atmosphere, e.g. in an enclosure
  • B23K26/127—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring in a special environment or atmosphere, e.g. in an enclosure in an enclosure
• • 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
  • B41J2/471—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 using dot sequential main scanning by means of a light deflector, e.g. a rotating polygonal mirror
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
  • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
  • B42D25/40—Manufacture
  • B42D25/405—Marking
  • B42D25/41—Marking using electromagnetic radiation

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a high-speed laser marking machine and more particularly to a machine marking moving plastic cards, with or without a chip, when they are transferred to a conveying device.
• This laser marking machine can be incorporated into a smart card personalization machine.
• a marking machine of this type therefore requires interrupting the laser beam after marking a first card and remove and then set up a second card to mark in order to wait for a stabilization period to activate the laser beam.
• the machine as presented therefore requires a stopping of the marking so as to evacuate the marked card and load the next.
• the inertia of the transfer device and the delays to be applied for each sequence are penalizing for the rate, because generating time losses.
• the object of the present invention is to overcome certain disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a laser marking machine for card holders that makes it possible to reach high speeds.
• a laser marking machine of supports consisting in particular of plastic cards possibly comprising integrated circuits, characterized in that the laser marking machine comprises: a laser chamber covering at least one internal transfer device comprising at least two locations each receiving a support to be marked on at least one face, the internal transfer device moving the supports in the laser chamber from a first location to a second location , a position encoder detecting the displacement of each support and generating data, called position data, representative of the position of each support relative to the locations, a laser marking means generating a laser beam and comprising optical means for deflecting in real time the laser beam, according to the position data and marking data relative to each support, to a mobile marking area, in which is the support being marked, stopped on one of the locations, or moving from the first location to the second location,
• a transfer device external to the laser chamber, carrying the media to be marked or marked respectively to or out of the laser chamber.
• the external and internal transfer devices are a single device, the internal transfer device to the chamber consisting of a portion of the main transfer device.
• the internal transfer device is distinct from the external transfer device and moves in a path perpendicular to the path of the external transfer device.
• At least one loading / unloading device transports, on the one hand, the marking media of the external transfer device to the internal transfer device and, on the other hand, the marked supports of the internal transfer device. to the external transfer device.
• the laser marking means and the position coder communicate with a computer system comprising a database storing the marking data and comprising a conversion means generating orientation data, depending on the least, marking data and position data of the support, these orientation data being transmitted to the optical means of the laser marking means for deflecting the laser beam according to the position of the medium being marked.
• the laser marking means comprises an element for producing a laser beam and in that the optical means of the laser marking means comprise a deflection element of the laser beam produced to direct it towards the marking zone, the deflection element being controlled by the orientation data.
• the deflection element of the laser beam comprises an inlet opening, an outlet opening and at least two mirrors whose inclination of each is controlled by a galvanometric device, the mirrors being arranged vis-à-vis each other such that the laser beam produced by the laser beam producing element and passing through the inlet opening of the deflection element projects onto a first mirror which reflects the laser beam to a second mirror reflecting the laser beam towards the exit opening of the deflection element, the inclination of each of the two mirrors being actuated by a drive mechanism controlled by the computer system, depending on the orientation data, one of the two mirrors inclined along a vertical axis of rotation to deflect the laser beam horizontally and the other mirror inclined along a horizontal axis of rotation to make e deflect the laser beam vertically.
• the laser marking means comprises a laser beam refining element, such as a converging lens, disposed between the deflection element of the laser beam and the path of the marking zone comprising the support.
• a laser beam refining element such as a converging lens
• the computer system comprises a means for determining the identity of the medium and its face to be marked, a decision and recovery means, as a function of this identity determination, of the marking data stored in the document.
• database and related support brought to the marking area in the laser chamber by the external transfer device, means for recovering the position data of the carrier in the laser chamber, the converting means generating, according to the marker data and the position data, orientation data controlling the mechanisms of driving the mirrors deviating the laser beam based, on the one hand, the marking data to be engraved on the support of a card on the marking area targeted by the laser and, on the other hand, the progress or not of the medium being marked in the moving marking zone of the laser chamber.
• the means for determining the identity of the medium are contact reading means of identification data stored in the integrated circuit of the smart card.
• the means for determining the identity of the support are means for reading, without contact, by radio waves or optical waves or by camera, identification data written on the support of the card.
• the means for determining the identity of the medium are contactless reading means of identification data stored in an RFID chip of the smart card.
• the laser marking means is arranged facing the marking zone and the axis of symmetry of the laser beam produced by the laser marking means is projected in a plane perpendicular to the marking zone and can scan a field encompassing both locations.
• each entry and / or exit location of the laser chamber comprises a turning element comprising a rotary clamp whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to the internal transfer device and allowing, during a stop phase of the internal transfer device to return a marked support on one of these faces and to reposition it on the same location in order to mark the other face by the marking means in the direction opposite to the first face, the opening, the closure and rotation of the clamp of a turning element being actuated by an actuating mechanism, the drive mechanisms of the mirrors of the deflection element and the actuating mechanism of the reversing elements being alternately controlled by the computer system for providing the data necessary to mark one side of a support housed on a first location during the reversal, on the second location, of another support one of which is already marked.
• the computer system comprises a means for determining the end of the laser marking of a first face of a support, a means for determining the existence, in the database, of marking data intended for be engraved on the second face of the support and a decision means according to these determinations controlling or not the actuating mechanism of the turning element associated with a first location of the laser chamber housing the support to be returned during the laser marking another support housed on the second location of the laser chamber.
• the internal transfer device comprises a movable assembly for moving the movable marking area on both locations, the movable assembly being disposed in the same horizontal plane as the external transfer device and moving, in translation in both directions, perpendicularly to the same external transfer device for alternately interposing the locations in the external transfer device, so that the loading / unloading device loads and unloads the supports between the external transfer devices and internally, the translation of the moving assembly being actuated by a drive mechanism, the laser marking means being arranged facing the marking zone and the laser beam scanning a pyramid axis perpendicular to the plane of the marking zone .
• the computer system comprises a means for determining the stop of the displacement of the internal transfer device and the position of a first location vis-à-vis the external transfer device, a decision means, according to these determinations, controlling the progress of the external transfer device, a means for determining the stopping of the external transfer device and of placing a new support on the first location and a decision means, according to at least one of these determinations, controlling the displacement of the internal transfer device making it possible to bring the second location vis-à-vis the device external transfer.
• the machine comprises a device for unstacking the media to be distributed on the external transfer device and a device for stacking the media to be evacuated by the external transfer device for storing them in a magazine.
• the machine comprises a personalization device of the integrated circuit of a smart card, the computer system being connected to this personalization device and having, in its database, personalization data that can correspond to the data of the card. marking the support of the smart card, the computer system comprising a means of tracking the personalization of smart cards and the marking of their support.
• FIG. 1A represents a front view of a card personalization machine according to an embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 1B represents a view of a front face of a card according to the present invention
• FIG. 1C represents a laser means of a marking station according to an embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 2A represents an illustrative perspective view of an embodiment of a marking station according to the present invention
• FIG. 2B represents an illustrative perspective view of an embodiment of a marking station according to the present invention
• FIG. 3 represents an illustrative perspective view of an embodiment of a marking station according to the present invention.
• a chip card (8) comprises a chip (80) or an integrated circuit inserted on a blank medium (81).
• the integrated circuit has at least contact or non-contact communication elements for communicating with another external device and a memory.
• One of the main aims of the invention is the marking of data on the support (81) of a chip card (8) by a laser marking device (5) at a high rate.
• the invention may also relate to the field of cards without a chip.
• the personalization machine consists of a table (1) mounted on legs (10, 11) on the plate of which is disposed a transfer device (2) main formed by a toothed belt continuous circulating between two end pulleys (20, 21) of which at least one end is driven by a motor.
• a transfer device (2) main formed by a toothed belt continuous circulating between two end pulleys (20, 21) of which at least one end is driven by a motor.
• gripping means 22, Figure 2A and Figure 3
• cleats for example, the distance between two of the cleats (22) consecutive can correspond to the length of a card (8) when it is transferred horizontally to the transfer device.
• Each pair of cleats (22) is adjacent to the next pair a shorter length than the distance between two cleats (22) of the same pair.
• the cleats (22) allow the cards (8) to be held while the cards (8) are being driven from one station to another while the belt is moving on the forward part of the transfer device (2), represented by the arrow (T) in FIG. 1.
• T forward part of the transfer device (2)
• An alternative embodiment of the transfer device and gripping means can be envisaged for transferring the cards vertically.
• the transfer device advances in steps, the distance of a step corresponding to the distance between two cards, that is to say two consecutive pairs of cleats (22). Referring to FIG.
• the table comprises a de-stacking device (3) which, from a stack of cards (8) stacked, distributes the cards (8) and inserts them one by one between each pair of cleats (FIG. 22).
• the unstacker device (3) comprises, for example, a double input magazine allowing the supply without stopping of the machine, so that the exchange of the stores is carried out in masked time (ie during the marking of the cards ).
• Each store is removable and has a capacity for example of 500 cards.
• the supports (81) to be marked and introduced into the transfer device (2) are brought to a substation. customizing (4) smart cards (8) for storing personalization data in the memory of the chip (80).
• This personalization data may be, for example, an identification number which will allow identification of the media (81) to be marked and an appropriate marking according to this personalization.
• a loading device (40) introduces the cards to be personalized into the personalization station (4) and an unloading device (41) discharges the personalized cards from the personalization station (4).
• the personalization machine according to the invention may or may not include this customization station (4) for recording data in the cards (8) chip. Once personalized, the cards (8) are brought by the transfer device (2) in front of a marking station (5, 5 ') comprising an internal transfer device.
• this internal transfer device may be constituted, for example, by a portion of the device of transfer (2) main personalization machine or may be constituted by another transfer device specific to the station (5, 5 ') marking.
• the transfer device in the marking station (5, 5 ') will be referred to as the transfer device internal because it allows the transfer of cards inside the marking station and the main transfer device will be called external transfer device because it allows the transfer of cards inside the marking station.
• the marking station (5, 5 ') comprises a laser chamber (59, 59') in which marking data will be marked on the support (81) of the cards (8) at the same time as the latter move on the internal transfer device at the marking station (5, 5 ').
• the cards are then conveyed by the belt of the main (or external) transfer device (2) to an ejection station (not shown).
• This ejection station can redirect to a hatch cards (8) whose personalization and / or marking were incomplete or defective. If customization and marking have succeeded, the cards are transferred to a stacker device (6) where they are stacked in a double magazine, operating on the same principle as the unstacker device (3) but in the opposite direction.
• the position of the personalization station (4) and the position of the marking station (5, 5 ') can be interchanged, the marking station (5, 5') being able to be arranged before the personalization station (4).
• a computer system (7) such as a computer, for example, is connected to the marking station (5, 5 ') and the personalization station (4).
• the computer system (7) includes a database (70) including personalization data to be integrated in the integrated circuit (80) of the card and engraving data on the medium (81) of the card.
• the computer system (7) sends to the customization station (4) the personalization data relating to the card to be personalized, the customization station (4) being responsible for transferring the personalization data in the memory of the chip (80) of the card, via communication elements with or without contact.
• the computer system (7) transmits the marking data to the marking station (5, 5 '), this marking station (5, 5') being responsible for register the marking data on the support (81) of the card (8).
• the marking data and personalization data of a card (8), stored in the database (70), can be correlated. For example, the serial number of a card can be saved in the memory of the chip (80) and be registered on the support (81) of the chip.
• the computer system (7) must therefore include means for tracking the personalization and marking of each card (8).
• the personalization machine comprises, for each station, one or more positioning device (s) and one or more detection device (s) for constantly monitoring the movement of the cards as they pass in front of different personalization machine positions. These positioning devices and these detection devices may be, for example, positioning or detection sensors, for example of mechanical, optical, electromagnetic, etc. type.
• a control system (not shown), for example controlled by the computer system (7), manages the sequential control of the personalization machine and receives information from the various positioning devices, the different detection devices allowing, for example, ensure that a card carried by the belt (2) is placed opposite the appropriate station.
• the mechanism for advancing step by step of the belt (2) of the transfer device is controlled by the control system.
• two consecutive steps of movement define a period of time in which the transfer device remains fixed for approximately two thirds of the period, for example 600ms, and moves for the remaining time of the period, for example 300ms.
• the external transfer device (2) while remaining stationary, allows unstacking of the cards (8) between two pairs of cleats (22) of the transfer device (2) by the unstacker device (3) and, concomitantly, stacking the cards out of the transfer device by the stacker device (6).
• the main objective of the invention is to increase the rate of marking of the cards (8). For example, to obtain a marking rate of 3600 cards / hour, it would burn a card in less than one second.
• the marking and the transfer of the cards are serialized and consecutive, the marking time for example between 500ms and 600ms, the transfer time of the cards of the transfer device (2) to the marking station (5) or vice versa for example between 400ms to 500ms and the unstacking time or stacking of a card by the unstacker (3) or the stacker (6) of the machine on the transfer device (2) being able to last about 600ms.
• the machine loses a lot of time during stopping of the transfer device (2), between two advancing steps, and during the loading / unloading of the cards between the marking station (5) and the transfer device (2) .
• the idea of the invention is to reduce and mask the loading / unloading time of the cards (8) in the laser chamber (59, 59 ') of the marking station.
• the invention makes it possible to mark the supports (81) of the cards both during their stopping in front of or under the marking station (5, 5 '), between two advancement steps, as during their movement in front of or under the marking station (5, 5 ') during progress steps.
• the invention makes it possible to mark the support of a card while the previous one is evacuated and makes it possible to continue marking it while moving it, in front of or under the marking station (5, 5 '), releasing a slot for loading another card.
• FIG. 2A shows an illustration of a marking station (5) of the supports (81) of the cards (8) according to a first embodiment.
• the marking station (5) generally comprises a radiation-tight laser chamber (59) and a laser marking means.
• the laser chamber (59) also has an internal transfer device and at least two locations (52a, 52b) for receiving the cards (8) to be marked.
• the internal transfer device simply consists of a portion of the device (2) of main transfer (external), as shown in Figure 2A, although the internal transfer device may naturally consist of a specific device of the marking station, for example simply located in the axis of the device (2) main transfer.
• the internal transfer device moves each card from a first location (52a), said input, to a second location (52a), said outlet, the two locations being arranged in alignment and consecutively relative to the 'other.
• the laser marking means (50) produces a moving laser beam directed toward a movable marking area. This movable marking area makes it possible to mark the cards in the laser chamber, either stopped at one of the input (52a, 52a ') or output (52b, 52b 1 ) locations, or moving from the input (52a) to the output location (52b), the laser beam scanning an axis pyramid (height) perpendicular to the plane of the marking area.
• the internal transfer device consists of a part of the external transfer device (2) passing in front of or under the marking station (5).
• the laser means (50) comprises optical means which are: a laser beam producing element (500), a deflecting element (501) of the laser beam for directing it to a laser beam two marking locations (52a, 52b) and a refining element (508) of the laser beam.
• the deflection element (501) of the laser beam comprises two tilting mirrors (502, 504) each held and actuated by an actuating mechanism (503, 505), the mirror planes (502, 504) being arranged in such a way that reflect the radius from one mirror to the other up to the marking area.
• a first mirror (502) is inclined to face the inlet opening (506) of the deflection member and receives the laser beam (509) emitted by the laser element (500).
• the first mirror (502) is actuated in rotation, for example along a vertical axis, by a first actuating mechanism (503) for deflecting, for example horizontally, the projected laser beam (509), the first mirror (502) thereby reflecting this laser beam (509) to the second mirror (504).
• the laser beam (509) enters the laser chamber (59, 59 ') by a lateral face of the latter, but in the case where the laser beam (509) would enter, for example, through the upper face, the axis of rotation of the first mirror (502) would naturally be horizontal of vertically deflecting the laser beam (509) to the second mirror (504).
• the second mirror (504) is inclined to face the exit aperture (507) of the deflection member and receives the laser beam (509) reflected by the first mirror (502).
• the second mirror (504) is rotated along a horizontal axis by the second actuating mechanism (505) for vertically deflecting the laser beam (509) reflected towards the outlet opening (507) of the element deviation.
• the transport of the cards (8) is carried out vertically, the marking station (5) being placed in such a way that the axis of symmetry of the laser beam projects perpendicular to the support ( 81) of the cards (8) and scanning a pyramid axis perpendicular to the plane of the marking area.
• the axis of rotation of the second mirror (504) is vertical so as to horizontally deflect the laser beam (509) towards the cards.
• the invention allows of course many embodiments of the deflection element (501) of the laser beam according to the orientation of the cards on the (s) device (s) transfer.
• the mirror (s) of the deflection element (501) of the laser beam may (or may) have any orientation appropriate to the deflection of the laser beam towards the marking area.
• the first and second actuating mechanisms (503, 505) are arranged in the deflection element and may each comprise a controlled motor.
• the laser beam will be refined by the refining element (508) which may consist, for example, of a convergent lens and will then project towards the marking zone following the inclination of the two mirrors.
• the actuating mechanisms (503, 505) of the vertical or horizontal inclination of the two mirrors (502, 504) are, for example, controlled by the computer system (7) of the personalization machine, for example controlling a galvanometric device (510).
• the computer system (7) retrieves, in its database (70), the data to be engraved on the card and generates, by a conversion means, orientation data to be sent to the galvanometric device controlling the rotation mechanisms (503, 505) of the mirrors (502, 504) deviating the laser beam (509).
• an encoder (9) located near the transfer device (2), is connected to the transfer device (2) and to the computer system (7). This encoder makes it possible to detect the position of the cards (8) with respect to the laser chamber (59), both with respect to the external transfer device and to the internal transfer device, since these have advancement steps. synchronous or are even possibly identical, as in the present embodiment.
• the encoder (9) detects the forward position of the transfer device (2) and thus detects the position of the cards present in the marking area between the input and output locations, for example with respect to a fixed reference mark of the laser chamber (59).
• the stops and the successive advancements of the transfer device during the successive steps are thus detected by the coder (9) which informs the computer system (7) by sending him data, called position data, representative of the position of the cards on the transfer device.
• position data representative of the position of the cards on the transfer device.
• This encoder allows the computer system to be informed of the presence and position of the media (81) to be marked on one or both locations of the chamber, during the advancement of the transfer device.
• the invention allows many embodiments of this encoder which can be located both inside and outside the chamber, insofar as the spacings between the cards are constant.
• This encoder (9) may consist of a device for mechanical detection of the position of the cards or optical detection, or radioelectric etc.
• different types of position encoder may be used, the main thing being that this encoder informs the computer system (7) on the displacement and the position of the supports (81) to be marked with respect to the laser (509) scanning the zone of mobile tagging covering locations entry and exit.
• the computer system (7) will therefore retrieve the position data indicating the progress of the transfer device (2) and will integrate them with the conversion means to generate orientation data comprising, on the one hand, data of orientation relating to the card mark data and, on the other hand, orientation data relating to the positioning offset representative of the progress of the transfer device (2), for directing the laser (509) towards the one or other of the marking locations, successively fixed and mobile in the laser chamber (59).
• This orientation data is then sent to the galvanometric device (510) of the deflection element (501) for controlling the mirror drive mechanisms (502, 504) deflecting the laser beam (509).
• the position offset may be centered on the first location of the laser chamber and, when the transfer device is not moving, the position offset is zero and therefore does not add to the orientation data.
• the transfer device moves and the offset varies by representing the displacement of the card from the entry location to the exit location.
• the positional offset may be centered on any mark and, when the transfer device is not moving, the position offset is fixed and consists of a constant added to the orientation data until the transfer device moves and the position offset varies, the variable value of this offset being then added in real time to the orientation data.
• the computer system (7) controls the stopping of the laser emission and the laser beam, which is then oriented towards the exit location, is redirected to the laser. entry location that receives a new card to mark.
• the object of the invention is to carry out a continuous marking of the data on the support (81) of the printed cards (8) which have a sequential and irregular displacement, as a function of the advancement steps of the transfer device (2).
• the deflection element (501) of the laser beam (509) makes it possible to enlarge the laser marking field which can thus cover, for example, a field of 180 mm by 180mm, while maintaining a good marking accuracy thanks to the refining element (508) of the laser beam (509).
• a marking cycle of the front of the support (81) of a card will now be described with reference to Fig. 2A, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• the cycle follows the period of time between two consecutive steps of movement.
• a card to be marked is brought to the entry location (52a) of the marking station.
• the laser beam is directed towards the new card and begins to burn a part of the support (81) of the card, the latter does not move.
• the actuating mechanism of the transfer device (2) is activated to control the advance of the transfer device (2) thus causing the card to the output location (52b), while the marking of the support (81) of the card (8) continues.
• the encoder (9) detects the progress of the transfer device (2) and informs the computer system (7) in real time of the position of the card by sending the position data (the offset).
• the conversion means of the computer system (7) takes into account these data by adding, in its orientation data, the offset relating to the progress of the card.
• the orientation data is then sent to the galvanometric device (510) of the deflection element (501).
• the ray is deflected to mark the last data on the medium (81) of the card (8) by following in real time the movement thereof to the output location (52b).
• the transfer device (2) brings a new card to mark the entry location (52a) of the marking station (5).
• the laser beam is redirected to the entry location (52a) to mark the new card.
• the marking time of a card must be less than the period of movement between two consecutive steps of the transfer device (2) to allow time for the laser beam to return to the entry location (52a) before the end of this period.
• the marking station (5) can perform the marking of the two faces of a support (81) of a card (8).
• a turning element (520a, 520b) for example disposed near each of the locations (52a, 52b) of entry and exit of the laser chamber, makes it possible to return the cards which are housed on these locations (52a). , 52b) during a stopping phase of the transfer device (2).
• Each turning element (520a, 520b) comprises, for example, a rotary clamp whose axis of rotation is, for example, perpendicular to the transfer device (2) and allows, for example, a rotation of 180 ° in both sense of rotation.
• Each rotary gripper (520a, 520b) is used to capture a card housed between two tabs (22) located at a location (52a, 52b) input or output of the chamber. Closing, opening and rotation of each rotary gripper (520a, 520b) is actuated by an actuation mechanism controlled by the computer system (7).
• FIG. 2B an example of the marking cycle, according to the present invention, of the two faces of the support (81) of a card (8) is presented below.
• a first card is brought by the transfer device (2) to the input location (52a).
• the laser beam is directed to the first card and begins to burn part of the face of the support (81) of the card (8), the latter does not move.
• the actuating mechanism of the transfer device (2) is controlled and activates the advancement of the transfer device (2) thus driving the card towards the output location (52b ), while the marking of the support (81) of the card (8) continues.
• the laser continues to mark the front face of the first card following the movement thereof, thanks to the position data generated by the encoder (9) position.
• a second card is brought to the input slot (52a).
• the marking of the front face of the first card is completed and the laser beam is directed to the entry location (52a) to mark the face-up of the new card present on the input location (52a).
• the rotary clamp (520b) of the exit slot (52b) is actuated to return the first card on its reverse side, directly on the exit slot (52b).
• the laser is directed towards the exit slot (52b) to mark the reverse side of the first card, for example in the direction opposite to the front face.
• the rotary gripper (520a) of the input slot (52a) is actuated to return the second card to its reverse side, directly to the input slot (52a).
• the laser is directed towards the second card to mark the reverse side of the latter, for example in the opposite direction to the front face.
• the actuating mechanism of the transfer device (2) is controlled and activates the advancement of the transfer device (2) thus causing the second card to the output location (52b), while the marking the support (81) of this card (8) continues.
• a new card to be marked on these two faces is brought by the transfer device (2) to the entry location (52a) and so on.
• the encoder (9) detects the progress of the transfer device (2) and informs in real time the computer system (7) on the position of the card by sending him position data (offset).
• the computer system conversion means (7) takes into account these position data by adding the offset relating to the advancement of the card in the orientation data and sends this orientation data to the element. deviation (501).
• the ray is deflected to mark the last data on the support (81) of the card (8) and to follow at the same time the movement thereof to the output location (52b).
• the computer system (7) comprises a means for determining the end of the laser marking of a first face of a card (8), a means of determining the existence, in the database. (70), marking data to be etched on the second face of the card and decision means, depending on these determinations, controlling or not the actuating mechanism of the turning element (520a, 520b). associated with a location (52a, 52b) housing a smart card during laser marking of another card housed at the other marking location (52b, 52a).
• Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
• the laser means (50 ') of the marking station (5') is identical to the laser means (50) of the marking station (5) of the embodiment described above.
• the internal transfer device (25) of the marking station (5 ') is distinct from the external transfer device (2) and arranged in the same horizontal plane as the transfer device (2) external to the laser chamber.
• the internal transfer device (25) may, for example, comprise a movable assembly allowing displacement, in translation, of the internal transfer device (25) perpendicularly or parallel to the direction of movement of the external transfer device (2). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the displacement of the internal transfer device (25) is perpendicular to the movement of the main (or external) transfer device (2).
• the internal transfer device (25) comprises at least two locations (52a 1 , 52b 1 ) covered by the movable marking area. These locations are aligned with each other and alternate between the gripping tabs (22) of the external transfer device (2).
• a loading / unloading device (250) consisting, for example, of an articulated arm provided with a clamp or a lifting device, allows, on the one hand, to load, on the internal transfer device (25), marking cards supplied by the external transfer device (2) and, on the other hand, discharging, to the external transfer (2), labeled cards present on the internal transfer device (25).
• the translational movement of the movable assembly constituting the internal transfer device (25) is actuated by a drive mechanism that can be controlled by the computer system (7).
• the marking means (50 ') produces a laser beam whose axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the support of the cards housed in the two locations (52a 1 , 52b').
• the scanning of the laser beam makes it possible to cover the entire mobile marking zone in which the moving assembly moves perpendicularly to the transfer device (2).
• An encoder (9 ') for example placed close to the moving assembly, is connected to the moving assembly and to the computer system (7).
• the encoder (9 ') detects the advancing position of the moving assembly and informs the computer system (7) by sending in real time the position data of the moving assembly (the offset).
• the computer system (7) comprises conversion means which generates orientation data relating to the marking data, data representative of the target marking location and also the position offset of the moving assembly.
• a first location (52a 1 ) comprising an already marked map is presented vis-à-vis the transfer device (2), in a so-called loading / unloading position and a second location (52b ') houses a second card to be marked in a position called first marking position.
• the moving assembly remains at first immobile and the laser means (50 ') directs its laser beam towards the second location (52b 1 ) and starts marking the second card during the renewal of the card at the first location (52a') .
• This renewal of the card can be achieved in different ways according to the embodiments.
• this renewal may consist of the following steps: The loading / unloading device (250) discharges the first marked card from the first location (52a). 1 ) to the transfer device (2), then the transfer device (2) advances by one transfer step, then the loading / unloading device (250) loads a third card to be marked on the first marking location (52a 1 ).
• the loading / unloading device (250) consists of an articulated arm provided with a clamp and the renewal of the card consists of the following steps: The loading / unloading device (250) unloads the first marked card from the first location (52a ') to the transfer device (2) and load a third card to be marked on this first marking location (52a 1 ), and then the transfer device (2) advances by a transfer step.
• the transfer device (2) advances by a transfer step, then the loading device / Unloading (250) discharges the first card marked from the first location (52a 1 ) to the transfer device (2) and loads a third card to be marked on that first location (52a ') of marking.
• the embodiments of the transfer devices (2) main and transfer (25) internal allow many variants, particularly with regard to the sequence of events and the examples provided here should not be considered limiting way.
• the movable assembly of the internal transfer device (25) then moves in horizontal translation, in a first direction of translation, to bring the second location (52b ') at the main transfer (2) in the unloading / unloading position, while the marking of the second card (8) present at this second location (52b ') continues.
• the encoder (9 1 ) detects the progress of the moving assembly (25) and informs in real time the computer system ( J) on the position of the card by sending the position data (the offset).
• the offset corresponds to the displacement of the moving assembly made perpendicularly with respect to the external transfer device (2).
• the conversion means of the computer system (7) takes into account these data by adding the offset concerning the progress of the card in these orientation data and sends this orientation data to the deflection element (501), for example to the galvanometric device (510).
• the radius is deflected to mark the last data on the support (81) of the second card (8) and to follow at the same time the movement thereof.
• the third card to be marked, present on the first location (52a 1 ) is then in a position called second marking position and the second card in marking course on this second location (52b 1 ) is in the unloading / unloading position.
• the laser means (50') directs its laser beam towards the first location (52a 1 ), in the second marking position, and starts marking the third card during the renewal of the card on the second location (52b ') by the transfer device (2) and the loading / unloading device (250).
• This renewal makes it possible to unload the second card marked from the second location (52b 1 ) towards the transfer device (2) and to load a fourth card to be marked on the second location (52b ').
• the movable assembly of the internal transfer device (25) then moves in horizontal translation, in a second direction of translation, opposite to the first direction, to bring the third card present on the first location (52a 1 ) at the main transfer (2), in the unloading / unloading position, while the marking of the third card (8) present at this first location (52a ') continues.
• the third card, present on the first location (52a J ) is then in the unloading / unloading position and the fourth card to be marked on the second location (52b 1 ) is in first marking position, ready to receive the laser beam to continue the cycle.
• the computer system conversion means (7) takes into account the marking data corresponding to the card to marking, the data indicating the marking location on which is housed the card to be marked and the displacement offset of the moving assembly generated by the encoder (9 ').
• the computer system (7) comprises means for determining the stopping of the translation of the movable assembly (25) of the internal transfer device and the position of a first location.
• marking means in relation to the transfer device (2) a decision means, according to these determinations, for controlling the advance of a step of the external transfer device (2), a means for determining the stopping the transfer device (2) and the position of a new card on the first location (52a 1 ) and decision means, based on these determinations, to control the translation of the moving assembly allowing bringing the second location (52b) opposite the transfer device (2).
• reversal elements may be present and arranged on the moving assembly and respectively close to each of the locations (52a 1 , 52b ') of the laser chamber.
• Each turning element operates in a distinct manner to return to its unmarked face a map placed on the associated location and marked on one face, while the laser means mark the visible face of a map disposed on the opposite location of the moving set.
• the flipping elements are controlled by the computer system (7).
• the tracking of the marking data is carried out by the computer system (7), which comprises a means for determining the identity of the card and its marking face brought by the device. transferring (2) into the laser chamber (59, 59 ') at a location (52a, 52b, 52a', 52b ').
• These means for determining the identity of the card to be marked may consist of a reading device placed upstream of the marking station (5, 5 ').
• This reading device can thus read an identity data card, stored in the memory of their integrated circuit (80).
• This reading device may comprise contactless reading means by radio wave or optical wave coming, for example, establishing a contactless connection, for example with an RFID chip present in the card (8).
• This reading device may also consist of a station for reading card identity data, for example by means of a contact link with the chip (80).
• the means for determining the identity of the card to be marked may also consist of a video processing of information present on the supports (81) of the cards and captured by a camera.
• the reading device is connected to the computer system (7) to communicate to it the identity data read from the card to be marked.
• These determination means may also be a card tracking means whose integrated circuit has just been personalized by the customization station (4) placed upstream of the marking station (5, 5 '), the computer system (7) ) making the connection between the personalization data of the chip (80) of the card (8) and the marking data of the same card (8).
• a decision and recovery means After determining the identity of the card, a decision and recovery means, according to this identification determination, of the marking data stored in the database (70) allows the computer system to retrieve the tag data. which must be engraved on the map.
• This position encoder may, depending on the embodiments, be internal or external to the laser chamber. These orientation data control the drive mechanisms of the mirrors (502, 504) deviating the laser beam (509), at least according to the marking data to be engraved on the support of a card housed in the slot (52a).
• the computer system can also control the speed of movement of the internal transfer device (25) of the laser chamber as a function of the scanning speed of the laser beam, the computer system based on the position data of each card issued by the position encoder (9, 9 '), preferentially internal to the chamber in this case.

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