In the modern industrial marking field, laser marking machines are widely used for surface marking of various materials such as metals, plastics, ceramics, and glass due to their high precision, permanence, and non-contact advantages. And within this sophisticated equipment, there is a crucial core component - the galvanometer system.
1. What is a galvanometer?
The galvanometer, whose professional name is "scanning galvanometer system", is mainly composed of scanning lenses, high-speed oscillating motors, servo control circuits, and positioning sensors. Its core principle is to drive the motor through a computer-controlled circuit, causing the reflecting lens to perform high-speed and precise deflection, thereby changing the propagation path of the laser beam.
In a laser marking machine, the galvanometer mirror is usually composed of two sets of scanning mirrors, the X-axis and the Y-axis. They work together to control the two-dimensional movement of the laser focus on the marking surface.
II. The Core Functions of the Mirrors: Precise Positioning and High-Speed Scanning
The galvanometer mirror plays an indispensable and irreplaceable role in laser marking machines. Its functions are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Core command and control function
The marking machine software converts the vector file information such as graphics, text or QR codes that need to be marked into a series of coordinate instructions. These instructions are sent in real time to the servo controller of the galvanometer system. The controller drives the X and Y motors to cause the lens to make a slight angle deflection. Every time the lens deflects by a small angle, the focus of the laser beam on the workpiece will move a small distance accordingly. Through thousands of such high-speed and continuous deflections, the laser point precisely follows the expected pattern trajectory.
Achieving high-speed and non-contact processing
The response speed of the galvanometer motor is extremely fast, and its oscillation speed can reach several thousand times per second or even higher. This enables the laser beam to scan the surface of the workpiece at an extremely high speed, thereby significantly improving the marking efficiency. It takes only a few seconds to complete a complex pattern. At the same time, this method of controlling the beam through lens deflection is completely non-contact, avoiding the possible damage or wear to the workpiece caused by traditional mechanical movement.
Ensure marking accuracy and consistency
The high-precision galvanometer motor and feedback system can ensure that the angle of each lens deflection is extremely accurate. This means that the laser focus can be positioned within the micrometer range of the theoretical position, thereby ensuring that the marking patterns have clear edges, fine details, and good overall consistency. Whether it's a complex logo or a tiny serial number, they can be presented clearly and perfectly.
III. How does the performance of the mirror affect the marking effect?
The overall performance of a marking machine is largely determined by the quality of the galvanometer system:
Marking speed: It is directly determined by the scanning speed of the galvanometer.
Marking accuracy: It is closely related to the repeatability positioning accuracy, linearity and calibration effect of the galvanometer.
Marking range: Under a specific field lens, the marking range is determined by the maximum deflection angle of the scanning mirror.
Stability and lifespan: High-quality galvanometer mirrors can ensure that the equipment operates continuously and stably for a long time.
The galvanometer mirror is the core component of a laser marking machine. Its precise control and rapid response capabilities are the guarantee for achieving efficient and high-quality marking. It plays a decisive role in engraving different content.