COMBINATION EXTRUSION AND LASER-MARKING SYSTEM, AND RELATED METHOD
First Claim
1. A combination extrusion and laser-marking system comprising:
- an extruder operable to pass an extrudable material through a die and discharge an extrudate having a markable surface;
a laser operable continuously with the extruder for forming an image on the markable surface of the extrudate discharged from the extruder; and
a controller system operable to measure a rate of speed at which the extrudate is discharged from the extruder and provide a feedback signal for controlling operation of the laser.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combination extrusion and laser marking system and corresponding method are provided for creating an extruded article with a surface graphic image. The system includes an extruder, a laser, and a controller or encoder. The extruder is operable to pass an extrudable material through a die and discharge an extrudate having a markable surface. The laser is operable with the extruder for forming an image on the markable surface of the extrudate discharged from the extruder. The encoding system is operable to measure a rate of speed at which the extrudate is discharged from the extruder and provide a feedback signal for controlling operation of the laser. The combination may further include an ink printer to form an additional image on the extruded article.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A combination extrusion and laser-marking system comprising:
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an extruder operable to pass an extrudable material through a die and discharge an extrudate having a markable surface; a laser operable continuously with the extruder for forming an image on the markable surface of the extrudate discharged from the extruder; and a controller system operable to measure a rate of speed at which the extrudate is discharged from the extruder and provide a feedback signal for controlling operation of the laser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for extruding an article and creating an image in a surface of the article, the method comprising:
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extruding an extrudable material through a die to provide an extrudate; delivering the extrudate to a processing line; lasing a surface of the extrudate on the processing line to form said image; measuring a rate of movement of the processing line with a controller; generating a feedback signal based on the measured rate of movement; and adjusting said lasing based on said feedback signal to coordinate the steps of extruding said extruded article and lasing said surface to form said image. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A combination laser marking system and an extrusion system for applying a laser to an extruded article off-line of the extrusion process thereby creating an image on a surface of said extruded article, said combination comprising:
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a laser system for applying a laser to form an image on a surface of said extruded article; and a controller system to measure a speed of said extrusion line and delivering a feedback signal to said laser system to control the laser system based on said feedback signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification