Direct marking of parts with encoded symbology method, apparatus and symbolody

• US 6,533,181 B1
• Filed: 07/22/2000
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microscan Systems Inc (Omron Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (Omron Corporation)
• Inventors: Mann, Stephanie, Roxby, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US09/620,541
• Time in Patent Office: 969 Days
• Field of Search: 235/486, 235/492, 235/494, 235/487, 235/456, 235/462.01, 235/472.01, 235/454, 235/455, 235/435
• US Class Current: 235/494
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26

Abstract

The present invention describes an automated method for creating impressions of machine-readable encoded symbology using thermojet type solid object printing technology. This is accomplished by electronically transmitting a software file containing a part identification symbol representation in Computer Assisted Drawing (CAD) software format to a ThermoJet™ type solid object printer where tiny droplets of a wax like material are deposited in successive layers to form a three-dimensional pattern insert containing representations of the encoded symbology for combination with a pattern replica of a part to be encoded by said symbology. A casting mold is thereafter formed from the combined pattern and a casting is made from the mold to result in a machine readable 2D Data Matrix type encoded, directly marked, part.

Claims

1. A process for applying encoded symbology to a part so as to be integral therewith during the manufacture of the part, comprising:

(a) forming a part replica pattern from a pattern material having a pattern material melting temperature, and so as to include as part of said part replica pattern machine readable encoded symbology;

(b) including with said part replica pattern, during the formation thereof, at least one pattern sprue extending out from said part replica pattern;

(c) encasing said part replica pattern, and said at least one pattern sprue, in a casting mold fabricated from a mold material having a melting temperature that is higher then said pattern material melting temperature;

(d) forming a casting cavity for a part with encoded symbology within said casting mold by subjecting said mold encased part replica pattern with said at least one pattern sprue to a melting temperature sufficient to melt said part replica pattern with said at least one pattern sprue so that said pattern material flows from said encasing mold through at least one sprue opening formed through said encasing mold as said at least one pattern sprue so melts;

(e) filling said casting cavity with casting material through said at least one sprue opening to form a cast part with integral encoded symbology; and

(f) seperating said mold and casting.

2. The process of claim 1, including:

(a) forming said machine readable encoded symbology part of said part replica pattern as a machine readable encoded symbology pattern insert;

(b) forming said said part replica pattern separate from said encoded symbology pattern insert; and

(b) combining said part replica pattern and said pattern insert to form said part replica pattern with machine readable encoded symbology.

3. The process of claim 2 including forming said machine readable encoded symbology as a 2D Data Matrix type symbol.

4. The process of claim 3, including:

(a) forming said 2D Data Matrix type symbol with binary 1 representing data cells and binary 0 representing data cells disposed in an array to create said symbol; and

(b) forming said binary 1 representing data cells as inwardly extending recesses.

5. The process of claim 4, including spacing adjacent binary 1 data cells from each other by separating walls.

6. The process of claim 5, including forming said data cell recesses to a predetermined depth such that when light is directed at a predetermined angle towards said data cells said separating walls create shadows which cover bottom walls of said recesses.

7. The process of claim 6, including forming bottom surfaces of said binary 1 representing recesses and surfaces representing binary 0'"'"'s so that when light impinges upon such surfaces there is a contrast in reflected light between said binary 1'"'"'s and binary 0'"'"'s.

8. The process of claim 3, including:

(a) forming said 2D Data Matrix type symbol with binary 1 representing data cells and binary 0 representing data cells disposed in an array to create said symbol; and

(b) forming said binary 1 representing data cells as outwardly extending projections.

9. The process of claim 8, including spacing adjacent binary 1 data cells from each other by separating channels.

10. The process of claim 9, including forming said data cell projections to a predetermined height such that when light t is directed at a predetermined angle towards said data cells they create shadows which cover bottom walls of said channels.

11. The process of claim 10, including forming upper surfaces of said binary 1 representing projections and surfaces representing binary 0'"'"'s so that when light impinges upon such surfaces there is a contrast in reflected light between said binary 1'"'"'s and binary 0'"'"'s.

12. The process of claim 2, including forming said pattern insert by utilizing a ThermoJet type solid object printer that sprays said pattern forming material to first form a base portion for same and then form selected data cells by depositing said pattern forming material in selected positions upon said base portion and to a predetermined and selected height above said base portion.