Abstract

A laser marking system and method with a laser oscillator generating a laser beam that is scanned in a single direction onto a mask (such as a liquid crystal) that displays sequentially a plurality of divided pattern blocks, and a second deflector that deflects the scanned laser beams onto corresponding portions of the surface of a workpiece so as to mark on the surface of the workpiece a combination of the divided pattern blocks . In another embodiment a plurality of masks and a second optical system for combining the beams from the masks can be used to create the mark. The system can be used with a conveyor and a loading and unloading unit using a controller.