In particular force and distance synchronous measuring device for equipping a timepiece component

Abstract

The invention relates to a combined device (100) for applying an axial force to a timepiece component and simultaneously measuring the axial distance between a reference and the surface (10) of the component, comprising a support seat (1) carrying a measuring body (2) comprising means (3) for axially measuring the position of the surface (10), and control means (6) operated by a user or an automatic manipulator (7) to apply a characteristic axial force to the surface (10), which is transmitted to a resting measuring pin (5) by a calibrated axial elastic return means (9), and to a method for using the device (100), in which a specific stack assembly of flat elastic elements (90) is characterized in that, according to the combined force characteristic of the axial stroke applied to the control means (6), said control means (6) are given a rotational or axial stroke corresponding to a specific axial force to be applied.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus, in particular for equipping a timepiece, for applying an axial force to a timepiece component and simultaneously measuring the axial distance between a reference and the surface of said component, said apparatus comprising a support seat carrying at least one measuring body, said measuring body comprising at least one measuring device arranged to make an axial measurement of the position of said surface of the timepiece component in an axial direction, said measuring device comprising a measuring rod in contact with and aligned in said axial direction with a resting measuring pin.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method of using such a measuring apparatus.

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of timepiece manufacturing, in particular to factory assembly and metrology. BACKGROUND

[0004] In the context of the step of setting a jewel in a timepiece component, it is necessary to guarantee the fitting strength (of the order of 2 microns of maximum displacement) for a given force, in order to ensure the interchangeability of blanks of the same series.

[0005] Conventionally, such a determination is made by successively using a distance sensor, based on the use of a measuring rod resting on the surface of the jewel, and a force emitter, which exerts a calibrated axial force on the jewel, the force emitter being provided with a force sensor, and then again using the distance sensor, in order to check that the maximum recess of the jewel in the timepiece component is within the tolerance range.

[0006] Another possible method for evaluating the fitting strength of a jewel is to use a motor-driven force-distance measuring apparatus. This alternative is mainly used in laboratories and, in some cases, in production. However, this solution is more complex to implement, slower when measuring a plurality of positions, and more costly.

[0007] XP 1551355 A discloses a machine for pressing a mechanical part, comprising a jewel anvil and a blank anvil configured to press a jewel into a plate part. The machine also comprises a jewel measuring rod and a plate measuring rod configured to measure the relative position between the jewel and the support seat before locally pre-stressing the support seat using a blank press. Thus, the machine disclosed in XP 1551355 A combines the application of a force with the measurement of the displacement of the surface on which said force is applied. SUMMARY

[0008] In order to avoid the cumbersome measurement methods of either of the above-mentioned solutions, the present invention proposes to combine the two measuring elements (force and distance) into a single assembly by a simple principle, thereby avoiding the need for multiple handling operations of the timepiece component.

[0009] Thus, the complexity of determining the fitting strength of a piece of jewelry is reduced and is less costly.

[0010] To this end, the application relates to a device for equipping a timepiece for the synchronous measurement of force and distance according to claim 1.

[0011] Another aspect of the application relates to a method of using such a measuring device according to claim 21. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Other characteristics and advantages of the application will be better understood after reading the following detailed description, given with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0013] - Figure 1 A front view is shown schematically of a device according to the application comprising a rigid frame having a worktable for receiving a timepiece component, a column and a support seat carrying a measuring body integrated with a distance measuring staff and comprising a control device, in this case formed by a grooved ring and arranged to be operated by a user, or as in this case by a drive roller included in an automatic manipulator, in order to apply to the surface of the component a characterized axial force which is transmitted to the abutment measuring pin by elastic return means which follow a reproducible force / travel characteristic and which are subjected to a travel by the control device to obtain an axial force of a predetermined coefficient;

[0014] - Figure 2 A partial axial sectional view is shown schematically of a first alternative embodiment of such a device in which the control device formed by an outer ring drives an inner ring which deforms a stack assembly of elastic elements constituting the elastic return means for the application of the axial force;

[0015] - Figure 3 A plan view is shown schematically of such a circular elastic element comprising a spiral wound arm;

[0016] - Figure 4 A front view is shown schematically of the measuring body of another alternative embodiment of such a device in which the outer ring comprises drivers each of which is able to move within a spiral groove in the body;

[0017] - Figure 5 A sectional view is shown schematically of the measuring body in Figure 4 in a rest position in which the stack assembly of elastic elements abuts against a stop surface of the upper body;

[0018] - Figure 6 and Figure 4The same measuring body is shown without the outer ring;

[0019] - Figure 7 With Figure 6 the same measuring body is shown without the upper body; it shows from top to bottom the measuring rod, the abutment ring moved by the control device, the stack assembly of elastic elements, and the abutment measuring pin;

[0020] - Figure 8 With Figure 7 the same measuring body is shown without the abutment ring;

[0021] - Figure 9 A perspective view is schematically shown of the assembly in Figure 6 ;

[0022] - Figure 10 A perspective view is schematically shown of the assembly in Figure 7 , showing an alternating stack assembly of such elastic elements and intermediate rings;

[0023] - Figure 11 A perspective view is schematically shown of the assembly in Figure 8 , in which the upper elastic ring is not shown and only the upper intermediate ring is visible;

[0024] - Figure 12 is an example of a force / travel characteristic curve of an elastic element or stack assembly of elastic elements: a known travel value exactly determines a predetermined axial force value;

[0025] - Figure 13 A top view is schematically shown of a production site comprising three devices according to the invention, with support seats adjustable in height by means of a crank or an electric motor, and service circular trays carrying watch components and exchangeable by means of a palletizer; one of the devices comprises a drive roller as shown in Figure 1 ;

[0026] - Figure 14 A cross-sectional view is schematically shown of a measuring body comprising two levels in series, in which the force applied by the upper level is greater than the force applied by the lower level for fine adjustment;

[0027] - Figure 15 A cross-sectional view is schematically shown of a worktable of a device comprising a force sensor arranged under the component for digitally measuring the axial force applied thereto;

[0028] - Figure 16 A workpiece holding tray is shown similarly to Figure 15 , containing such a force sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The invention relates to a device 100 for applying an axial force to a timepiece component and simultaneously measuring the axial distance between a reference and a surface 10 of the component.

[0030] The invention is developed for controlling the equipping / decorating operations of timepieces, and can be used for any precision operation requiring the application of a force to a component, and the verification of the preservation or drift of the axial position of this component during or after the application of said force. It is therefore of interest for many precision engineering applications, in particular the watchmaking industry.

[0031] The device 100 comprises a support 1, as rigid as possible, carrying at least one measuring body 2. This measuring body 2 comprises at least one measuring means 3 arranged to make an axial measurement of the position of such a surface 10 of a timepiece component, in an axial direction A, relative to a reference surface, for example a worktable included in the support 1, or a similar surface. The measuring means 3 comprise a measuring rod 4, in inductive connection or similar, in contact with or in the vicinity of, and aligned in the axial direction A, with a bearing measuring pin 5.

[0032] According to the invention, the device 100 is a combined device for simultaneously applying a force and measuring the displacement of the surface to which this force is applied. To this end, the device 100 comprises at least one control means 6 arranged to be operated by a user or an automatic manipulator 7, in order to apply a characteristic axial force to the surface 10, this axial force being transmitted to said bearing measuring pin 5 by at least one calibrated axial elastic return means 9. The term "characteristic axial force" is understood to mean that all the elastic return means 9 follow a reproducible force / travel characteristic: thus each applied travel always corresponds to the same force.

[0033] Advantageously, the composition of the elastic return means 9 is modular, allowing the use of a specific range of forces adapted to the intended application. For example, in order to equip a watch component by pressing a jewel into a hole, in most cases the following elastic return means 9 are chosen for pressing the jewel of the timepiece: namely, said elastic return means 9 cover a range from 0 to 40 N, more particularly from 2 N to 40 N. However, it is equally possible to choose a limited range, for example 15 to 25 N. In any case, the travel applied on the control means 6, which can be identified by a scale, a notch or similar, provides the user with the assurance that a force reading corresponding to this travel on the characteristic curve is applied.

[0034] The control means 6 are more particularly arranged to drive the bearing ring 8 by movement in the axial direction A, and to modify the axial force exerted by the bearing ring 8 on said at least one axial elastic return means 9, arranged to transmit to said bearing measuring pin 5 an axial force proportional to the axial travel of the bearing ring 8.

[0035] In an advantageous alternative embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings, the control device 6 is arranged to be driven in rotation and, for example, in the form of an annular member with a groove (or semi-cylindrical groove) and comprises at least one driver 61 arranged to follow an inclined or substantially helical groove 26 provided in the main body 2 and to drive the abutment ring 8 in translation at least in the axial direction A. This abutment ring 8 comprises external threads 82 or internal threads in the axial direction A, which cooperate respectively with the internal threads 22 or the external threads included in the main body 2. Similarly, the control device 6 comprises internal threads 68 or external threads, which cooperate respectively with the external threads 28 or the internal threads included in the main body 2. In the non-limiting alternative embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the control device 6 is an annular member that can be rotated to a predetermined position to gradually exert the required force.

[0036] According to an advantageous feature of the application, the axial elastic return means 9 comprise at least one elastic element 90, which is in particular substantially planar and comprises a peripheral rim 91 carrying at least one spiral winding arm 93 carrying a central ring 92, as illustrated. Figure 3 More particularly, this elastic element 90 is made of spring steel of the XC80 type or similar. The production of such elastic elements 90 with identical planar geometry allows them to be made interchangeable. The choice of different thicknesses gives them a variety of stress properties. For example, for the same planar geometry, an element with a thickness of 0.1 mm can correspond to a force of 5 N, an element with a thickness of 0.2 mm can correspond to a force of 7.5 N, an element with a thickness of 0.3 mm can correspond to a force of 12.5 N, an element with a thickness of 0.4 mm can correspond to a force of 15 N, an element with a thickness of 0.5 mm can correspond to a force of 17.5 N, an element with a thickness of 0.6 mm can correspond to a force of 20 N, etc. Each elastic element 90 is characterized by an axial force / travel characteristic curve and it is easy to determine the characteristic curve of a stacked assembly of such elastic elements 90 with similar behavior. For example, these figures show that a maximum axial force of 40 N is achieved by using three elastic elements 90 with a thickness of 0.5 mm and one elastic element 90 with a thickness of 0.2 mm, where these elastic elements 90 have identical projected geometry, which facilitates their manufacture at low production cost. Furthermore, the combination of different thicknesses also gives them a variety of stress properties. For example, for a set of elastic elements formed by three elements with a thickness of 0.5 mm and one element with a thickness of 0.2 mm, an axial displacement of 1 mm of this set of elastic elements can correspond to a force of 12 N, an axial displacement of 1.5 mm can correspond to a force of 19 N, an axial displacement of 2 mm can correspond to a force of 26 N, an axial displacement of 2.5 mm can correspond to a force of 33 N, an axial displacement of 3 mm can correspond to a force of 40 N, etc.

[0037] Figure 12 An example of the characteristic curve of the elastic return means 9 calibrated at 40 N is shown, it can be seen that the curve is close to linear. The curve is here distorted for emphasis, since according to the application, the elastic element 90 is calibrated at a plurality of discrete force values, in this example 10, 20, 30 and 40 N, and for each of these values, the corresponding axial stroke value is determined, in this example 11°, 25°, 37° and 49°. Figure 3 The characteristic of the elastic element 90 is considered to be close to linear in its range of use. However, it is clear that even if the characteristic curve is not linear, when it comes to defining discrete axial stroke values ensuring a known force value, it is important that the reproducibility of the characteristic curve. Moreover, the specific strokes identified by markings, notches or the like correspond to well-defined force values, as in this example angle 11° / force 10 N, angle 25° / force 20 N, angle 37° / force 30 N, angle 49° / force 40 N. Needless to say, such an elastic element 90 is not necessarily planar, as in the case of a Belleville or Schnorr washer with conical geometry, but it should be noted that the forces applied here are very small and that the planar geometry is much more advantageous as it guarantees better reproducibility of manufacture than a non-planar or conical spring washer. Moreover, the offset with respect to the planar rest position is also very small, of the order of a tenth of a millimeter or a millimeter for an elastic element 90 with an outer diameter of 30 mm and an inner diameter of 5 mm as used in the non-limiting device shown in the figures.

[0038] Thus, more particularly, the axial elastic return means 9 comprises a stacked assembly of a plurality of such elastic elements 90, each of which is calibrated for a specific nominal axial force, and the resulting determination of which determines the maximum axial calibration of the device 100.

[0039] Advantageously, the stacked assembly is an alternating stacked assembly of such elastic elements 90 and intermediate rings 95 arranged to avoid any contact between the arms 93 of adjacent elastic elements 90. In a particular and non-limiting manner, the stacked assembly also comprises at the top a snap ring / retention ring 99 which cooperates with a groove 599 in the central shaft 59 and which retains the assembly formed by the elastic elements 90 alternating with the intermediate rings 95 (the intermediate rings 95 being made in particular of brass); towards the bottom, another snap ring can be housed in another groove to simply serve as a stroke stop and above all facilitate assembly without stressing the assembly of elastic elements 90 and intermediate rings 95, since the assembly must be free on the lower side to be able to exert the bearing force.

[0040] In the composition solution as shown, the device 100 comprises a plurality of such elastic elements 90, all of which are interchangeable and each of which is associated with a force-travel characteristic curve that can be accessed by the user and / or stored in a management means able to determine the composition of the stack assembly as a function of the resultant force to be applied and of the rotational travel or axial travel to be applied to the control means 6 to obtain a given axial force. The user can thus determine the actual force to be applied to the surface 10.

[0041] Different arrangements are also possible. In one alternative embodiment, the axial elastic return means 9 comprises at least one elastic element 90 able to deform axially between a first rigid portion resting in abutment on at least one stop surface 21, 251 comprised in the main body 2 and a second rigid portion subjected to a thrust action exerted by at least one thrust surface 81, 89 comprised in the abutment ring 8. In another alternative embodiment, the axial elastic return means 9 comprises at least one elastic element 90 able to deform axially between a first rigid portion resting in abutment on at least one stop surface 21, 251 comprised in the main body 2 and a second rigid portion integral with the abutment ring 8.

[0042] For easier maintenance and replacement of the elastic elements, the main body 2 is advantageously made of at least two parts assembled to each other, with the upper part 20 arranged to cooperate with the control means 6 and to enclose the measuring rod 4, and the lower part 25 carrying the abutment measuring pin 5. The pin joint means 252, 51 allow easy disassembly of the individual constituent parts.

[0043] The measuring rod 4 cooperates with a rigid pressure head 59 housed in a bearing seat or bearing 58 and pressed via the abutment measuring pin 5, preferably interchangeable, on the point of insertion at which the surface 10 to be tested is pressed. The displacement of the surface 10 is immediately measured when the force is applied. The measuring rod rests without play on the surface 10 to be tested, so that the zero point of the display is set; a predetermined force is then applied by rotating the control means 6 according to a scale that is not necessarily uniform and derives from the force / travel characteristic of the elastic element 90 that forms the elastic return means 9 of the device 100 in the current composition of the device 100.

[0044] More particularly, the at least one control means 6 comprises a notch and / or a stop for limiting the travel.

[0045] In one specific embodiment, as Figure 14Briefly shown, the device 100 comprises a stack assembly of individual control means 6: an upper control means 601 cooperating with the upper body 201 and the upper elastic return means 901, and a lower control means 602 cooperating with the lower body 202 and the lower elastic return means 902, each corresponding to a specific range of applied force, so as to exert a first axial force to the surface 10 in a first force range, and then to exert at least a second axial force lower than the first axial force in a second force range lower than the first force range.

[0046] More particularly, the device 100 comprises, in particular at the upper body 20, an upper stop 29 for resetting the stroke by bringing the elastic element 90 into the undeformed rest position. More particularly, this upper stop 29 comprises at least one protective and sealing gasket of O-ring or similar type.

[0047] In Figure 15 and 16 optional embodiments, the support seat 1 of the device 100 comprises at least one worktable or tray 79 for receiving at least one component, the worktable or tray 79 comprising a force sensor 101 arranged below the component for digitally measuring the axial force exerted thereon.

[0048] The present invention relates to the field of precision horology, and therefore to the ability to measure very small deviations in the micrometer range. To this end, the device 100 must be as rigid as possible, while remaining of small external dimensions, and have a mass that allows it to be manually moved from one work station to another.

[0049] The device 100 comprises at least one single large guide column 16, as Figure 1 shown, or a plurality of guide columns 18, 19, as Figure 13 shown, for guiding the support elements 15 carrying the measuring body 2, and advantageously comprises manual adjustment means 17 and / or motor-driven adjustment means 170 for macro-adjustment of the approach conditions to the device 100 during production changeover, or a cam lever for rapid variation of the height of the support seat 15. Said column 16 or columns 18, 19 ensure the rigidity of the device 100 and the uniformity of the axial distance E between each support element 15 and the worktable for receiving the component to be processed during the combined force exertion and measurement activity. When the device 100 is a multi-station device, as Figure 13 shown, one of the stations can be dedicated to extraction.

[0050] In the case of mass production, the device 100 advantageously comprises at least one tray 79 for receiving the components, arranged for automated handling by means of a robot, a rotary or linear palletizer or similar device.

[0051] In order to be used without an operator, or if the same operator manages several such devices 100 at the same time, at least one device 100 comprises at least one automatic manipulator 7, comprising rollers, belts, drive wheels, etc., for controlling the angular travel of the at least one control means 6. This automatic manipulator 7 can be coupled with the observation means, in order to stop the drive movement of the automatic manipulator 7 when the marking comprised on the control means 6 and the main body 2 are synchronized.

[0052] The present invention also relates to a method of using such a device 100, in which the reproducibility of the deformation of the elastic element 90 is used to perform an operation of applying a force that is correct from the start, and without the need for subsequent verification measurements, since the device 100 measures the displacement of the surface 10 while applying an axial force to the surface 10. According to the invention, a plurality of such calibrated elastic elements 90 are provided, the force characteristics of which are recorded as a function of the axial travel applied, and a particular stack assembly of such elastic elements 90 is characterized by its combined force characteristics as a function of the axial travel applied. Furthermore, this combined characteristic is used to impart a rotational travel or an axial travel to the control means 6 in a single manipulation operation, according to the combined characteristic, this travel corresponds to a particular travel associated with a particular axial force to be applied.

[0053] More particularly, the force is applied to the surface 10 of the component and the displacement of the surface 10 is measured from the same side of the surface 10, unlike in the prior art, in which the force is generally applied from above and the displacement is then measured from below.

[0054] More particularly, the device 100 is used to fit jewelry to a watch component, the insertion force and the axial position consistency relative to this watch component being controlled. Such a watch component can in particular, but not limitatively, be a blank such as a cock, a bridge, a frame, etc., or a fitting such as a disc, a rocker, an intermediate wheel, etc.

[0055] More particularly and conversely, the device 100 is used to extract a mounted jewelry piece pressed into a watch component with a controlled extraction force.

[0056] In summary, in order to simplify the measurement of the fitting strength of the jewelry, it has been conceived to add to the end of the measuring rod (distance measurement) a simple and intuitive actuator to generate the required force originating from a set of helical springs.

[0057] Once the end of the distance measurement system is in contact with the jewelry:

[0058] - a zero point is taken;

[0059] - the required force is applied by turning the actuator or the outer ring of the control means 6;

[0060] - at the same time, checking whether the surface 10 of the jewel moves during the application of the axial force and, if so, how much.

[0061] In summary, the present invention overcomes the current difficulties thanks to the following advantages achieved:

[0062] - there is no need to manipulate the watch components several times to determine the assembly strength of the jewel;

[0063] - the uncertainty of the distance measurement (moving the jewel) is reduced;

[0064] - the variability of the applied force is reduced;

[0065] - the measurement time is shorter;

[0066] - the cost is lower compared to the current solutions;

[0067] - simplicity, interchangeability;

[0068] - the measurement reliability is improved, since everything is integrated into a single assembly and both the force application and the distance measurement occur on the same axis.

[0069] The present invention is therefore particularly effective when performing a precision press-in or a precision assembly, to control the assembly quality of such press-in or assembly operations. The device 100 described is low cost, compact and light enough to be transported according to production needs.

[0070] The manipulation is simplified since the force application step and the measurement step are combined into a single operation.

Claims

1. An apparatus (100) for equipping a timepiece, said apparatus (100) being intended to apply an axial force to a timepiece component and simultaneously to measure the axial distance between a reference and the surface (10) of said component, said apparatus (100) comprising a support seat (1) carrying at least one measuring body (2), said measuring body (2) comprising at least one measuring device (3) arranged to make an axial measurement of the position of the surface (10) of the timepiece component in an axial direction (A), said measuring device (3) comprising a measuring rod (4) in contact with and aligned in the axial direction (A) with a resting measuring pin (5), characterized in that, The device (100) is a combined device for simultaneously applying a force and measuring the displacement of the surface to which the force is applied, and comprises at least one control means (6) arranged to be operated by a user or an automatic manipulator (7) in order to apply a characterised axial force to the surface (10), the characterised axial force being transmitted to the abutment measuring pin (5) by a calibrated at least one axial elastic return means (9).

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The control means (6) is arranged to drive the abutment ring (8) by movement in the axial direction (A) and to vary the axial force exerted by the abutment ring (8) on the at least one axial elastic return means (9) in the axial direction (A), the axial elastic return means being arranged to transmit an axial force proportional to the axial travel of the abutment ring (8) to the abutment measuring pin (5).

3. The device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that The control means (6) is arranged to be driven in rotation and comprises at least one driver (61) arranged to follow an inclined or substantially helical groove (26) provided in the main body (2) and to drive at least the abutment ring (8) in translation in the axial direction (A).

4. The device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The abutment ring (8) comprises external or internal threads (82) in the axial direction (A) which cooperate respectively with internal or external threads (22) comprised in the main body (2).

5. The device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The control means (6) comprises internal or external threads (68) which cooperate respectively with external or internal threads (28) comprised in the main body (2).

6. The device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that The axial elastic return means (9) comprises at least one elastic element (90) which is substantially planar and comprises a peripheral rim (91) carrying at least one helically wound arm (93) carrying a central ring (92).

7. The device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that The axial elastic return means (9) comprises a stacked assembly of a plurality of said elastic elements (90), each of which is calibrated for a specific nominal axial force, and the combined force of which determines the maximum axial calibration of the device (100).

8. The device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that The stacked assembly is an alternate stacked assembly of said elastic elements (90) and intermediate rings (95) arranged to avoid any contact between the helically wound arms (93) of adjacent elastic elements (90).

9. The device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, The device (100) comprises a plurality of said elastic elements (90), all of which are interchangeable and each of which is associated with a force-travel characteristic curve accessible to the user and / or stored in a management means able to determine the composition of a stacked assembly as a function of the combined force to be applied and the rotational travel or axial travel to be applied to the control means (6) in order to obtain a given axial force.

10. The device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that The axial elastic return means (9) comprise at least one elastic element (90) which is axially deformable between a first rigid portion which rests in abutment on at least one stop surface (21; 251) comprised in the main body (2) and a second rigid portion which is subjected to a thrust action exerted by at least one thrust surface (81, 89) comprised in the abutment ring (8).

11. The device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that The axial elastic return means (9) comprise at least one elastic element (90) which is axially deformable between a first rigid portion which rests in abutment on at least one stop surface (21; 251) comprised in the main body (2) and a second rigid portion which is integral with the abutment ring (8).

12. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The main body (2) is made up of at least two portions which are assembled to each other, with an upper portion (20) which is arranged to cooperate with the control means (6) and to enclose the measuring rod (4) and a lower portion (25) which carries the abutment measuring pin (5).

13. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The at least one control means (6) comprises a notch and / or a stop for limiting the stroke.

14. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The apparatus (100) comprises a stack assembly made up of individual control means (6) in series, each of which corresponds to a specific range of applied force, so as to exert a first axial force within a first force range on the surface (10) and then at least a second axial force lower than the first axial force within a second force range lower than the first force range.

15. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The apparatus (100) comprises an upper stop (29) for resetting the stroke.

16. The device (100) according to claim 15, characterized by The upper stop (29) comprises at least one protective and sealing gasket.

17. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The support seat (1) of the apparatus (100) comprises at least one worktable or tray (79) for receiving at least one of the components, which worktable or tray (79) comprises a force sensor (101) arranged below the component for digitally measuring the axial force exerted on the component.

18. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The apparatus (100) comprises a plurality of columns (18, 19) for guiding the support elements of the main body, which ensure the rigidity of the apparatus (100) and the uniformity of the axial distance between each of the support elements and the worktable for receiving the components to be processed during the combined force exertion and measurement activity, and manual adjustment means (17) and / or motor-driven adjustment means (170) for macro-adjusting the apparatus (100) during production changeover.

19. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The apparatus (100) comprises at least one tray (79) for receiving the components and arranged for automated handling.

20. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The apparatus (100) comprises at least one automatic manipulator (7) comprising rollers, belts or drive wheels for controlling the angular stroke of rotation of at least one control means (6).

21. Method of using the device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, A plurality of calibrated elastic elements (90) are provided, the force characteristic of which is recorded as a function of the axial stroke applied; and a specific stack assembly of said elastic elements (90) is characterized by a combined force characteristic of said elastic elements (90) as a function of the axial stroke applied; and said combined force characteristic is used to impart to the control device (6) a rotational stroke or an axial stroke corresponding to a specific stroke related to a specific axial force to be applied according to said combined force characteristic.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, A force is applied to the surface (10) of the component and the displacement of the surface (10) is measured from the same side of the surface (10).

23. The method of claim 21, wherein, The device is used to equip a timepiece component with a jewel whose insertion force and axial position consistency with respect to the timepiece component are controlled.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein, The device is used to extract an inlaid jewel pressed into a timepiece component with a controlled extraction force.

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