High speed and high power laser scribing methods and systems
A method of scribing a graphic on a material is provided, in which laser output is applied to the material. The laser output is moved relative to the material at a high speed greater than 10 m per second, and at a high power greater than 500 W, to scribe a graphic on a surface of the material. Also provided is a system for scribing a graphic on a material. The method and system of the invention are especially useful in the scribing of building materials.
1. A method of laser scribing a graphic onto a workpiece, comprising:
applying control information from a controller operable at a controller speed in a range of 10,000 pixels per second to 50,000 pixels per second to a laser operated to produce a laser beam, and laser scribing a graphic onto a surface of a workpiece with the laser beam based on the control information, said laser scribing comprises moving the laser beam at a relative scan speed in a range of 10 m/s to 50 m/s and lasing the surface of the workpiece without burning through the workpiece, wherein the laser is operable to produce the laser beam with a power output in a range of 500 W to 5000 W.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the laser is operable to produce the laser beam with the power output in a range of greater than 500 W to 5000 W.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the controller speed is operable in a range of 20,000 pixels per second to 50,000 pixels per second.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the relative scan speed is in a range of 30-50 m/s, and wherein the laser is operable to produce the laser beam with the power output greater than 1000 W.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said laser scribing further comprises applying the laser beam to the workpiece over a scan length of at least 0.9 m.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to change the power output every 1 to 4 pixels.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the workpiece is denim.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the workpiece is leather.
9. A method of imparting a visually perceptible change to a workpiece, comprising:
providing a laser and an operably associated controller operable to change the power output every 1 to 4 pixels;
providing a workpiece;
providing a controller operable at a controller speed in a range of 10,000 pixels per second to 50,000 pixels per second;
selecting denim as the workpiece;
applying control information from the controller to the laser to produce a laser beam having a power output; and
laser scribing a graphic onto the workpiece using the laser beam of the laser based on the control information.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the graphic has a resolution of 32 to 60 laser lines per inch.
11. A method of imparting a visually perceptible change to a workpiece, comprising:
providing a laser and an operably associated controller operable at a controller speed in a range of 10,000 pixels per second to 50,000 pixels per second;
providing a workpiece;
applying control information from the controller to the laser to produce a laser beam having a power output; and
laser scribing a graphic onto the workpiece using the laser beam of the laser based on the control information.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of selecting denim as the workpiece.