Production of timepiece waterproof joint

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a timepiece component (10), a first portion (11) of the timepiece component (10) comprising a first tolerance reference surface (110), whereby, in a first step, a first material is selected to produce this first portion (11) by additive manufacturing and a base (50) is prepared; in a second step, etching a base surface (150) in said base (50), the base surface being opposite the first reference surface (110), and positioning the base on an additive manufacturing device; in a third step, growing a first portion (11) of the component (10) in contact with the entire base surface (150) by means of additive manufacturing; in a fourth step, the development of the first part (11) is verified against a predetermined setpoint value, and the third additive manufacturing step is iteratively repeated until the desired development level has been reached.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a timepiece component by additive manufacturing, the timepiece component comprising at least a first part, the first part comprising a first reference surface having a first geometry with tolerances in terms of dimensions and / or flatness and / or cylindricity and / or surface finish.

[0002] The present invention relates to the waterproofness of timepiece components and sub-assemblies, and more particularly to the manufacture of waterproof joints for timepieces. Background Art

[0003] Waterproof joints, and in particular thermoplastic seals for the watchmaking industry, are nowadays produced by injection molding or extrusion, followed by machining or another method requiring a machining step. These seals must meet very strict tolerance standards. These seals can be found in timepieces, in particular the crystal of a watch, and are driven into the back cover, the crown and other elements that must be waterproof or have good adhesion.

[0004] Novel methods such as additive manufacturing or 3D printing allow the production of original designs and new components, including waterproof seals. However, it is difficult to meet the precision standards of these seals, especially in terms of tolerances. The most critical dimension is the thickness of the seal. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to develop a method for ensuring strict tolerances in terms of both dimensions and surface finish of a waterproof joint for a timepiece, while allowing small series production without having to invest in expensive tools.

[0006] To this end, the present invention relates to a method for producing a timepiece component by additive manufacturing, the timepiece component comprising at least a first part, the first part comprising a first reference surface having a first geometry with tolerances in terms of dimensions and / or flatness and / or cylindricity and / or surface finish.

[0007] According to the invention, in a first step, at least one first material is provided, which is suitable for producing at least the first part of the component by additive manufacturing, and a base is provided, which is suitable for supporting the growth of the first material and is produced from a base material selected to allow subsequent separation of the first part from the base without tearing; in a second step, the base is machined, wherein a first base surface, which is the reverse (négatif) of the first reference surface, is etched, the first base surface having a base geometry with tolerances in terms of dimensions and / or flatness and / or cylindricity and / or surface finish equal to or more stringent than those of the first geometry of the first reference surface, and the base is positioned on an additive manufacturing device; in a third step, at least the first part of the component is grown in contact with the entire first base surface by additive manufacturing; in a fourth step, the development of the first part is verified against a first predetermined setpoint value, and the third and fourth steps of additive manufacturing by adding the first material are iteratively repeated until it is seen and confirmed that the first part has developed to reach or exceed the first predetermined setpoint value, and when the first part has developed to reach or exceed the first predetermined setpoint value, additive manufacturing by adding the first material is stopped. Description of the Drawings

[0008] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a flow chart showing the various steps in the production of a timepiece component according to the invention in various alternative embodiments of the method;

[0010] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the base diagrammatically, in which the first base surface is etched using the method of the invention, with tolerances more stringent than those of the component to be obtained, and in the etching of this first base surface, the first base surface is filled with a first raised portion made of a first material deposited by additive manufacturing, in particular by three-dimensional printing;

[0011] Similar to Figure 2 , Figure 3 shows Figure 2 a component produced according to

[0012] Similar to Figure 2 , Figure 4Shows an alternative embodiment, in which, during the etching of the first base surface, a first raised portion made of a first material and a second raised portion made of a second material are successively grown, and in which this second raised portion is positioned above the upper surface of the base;

[0013] Similar to Figure 4 , Figure 5 Shows the grinding of the second raised portion at the upper surface of the base;

[0014] Similar to Figure 3 , Figure 6 Shows a component produced according to Figure 5 which has been removed from the base;

[0015] Similar to Figure 4 , Figure 7 Shows an alternative embodiment, in which, during the etching of the first base surface, a first raised portion made of a first material and a second raised portion made of a second material are successively grown, and in which a third raised portion made of another second material is also grown, this third raised portion forming a rigid structural part of the component;

[0016] Similar to Figure 6 , Figure 8 Shows a component produced according to Figure 7 which has been removed from the base. Detailed Description

[0017] In order to overcome the poor quality of waterproof joints, especially thermoplastic seals, the present invention proposes an improvement to the additive manufacturing process, which, in particular compared to manufacturing methods using three-dimensional printing on supports that do not always allow all dimensional and surface finish tolerances to be met, becomes more suitable for meeting the quality standards of thermoplastic watch seals.

[0018] First, according to the present invention, a custom printing mattress is produced for each joint geometry. This mattress will contain the etching of the lower part of the seal to be produced. This etching is carried out by a laser or using an equivalent method.

[0019] Subsequently, this etching is filled by additive manufacturing (including but not limited to three-dimensional printing) to obtain a precise shape comparable to that of an injection-molded seal. This allows the lower part of the seal to be reproduced faithfully. The upper part can be produced using standard printing quality. This part can represent the other half of the seal, as well as another watchmaking component that will be directly fixed to the least precise part of the seal without affecting the waterproofness.

[0020] Thus, a person skilled in the art will be able to produce very precise seals using three-dimensional printing. In addition, such a seal can also form a direct part of another custom timepiece component.

[0021] Three-dimensional printing can be performed using a suitable printer with custom leveling options. Depending on the complexity / depth of the etching, the printer nozzle can be modified and adjusted to achieve optimal printing.

[0022] Thus, the present invention relates to a method for producing a timepiece component 10 by additive manufacturing, the component comprising at least a first part 11. This first part includes a first reference surface 110 having a first geometry with tolerances in terms of dimensions and / or flatness and / or cylindricity and / or surface finish.

[0023] According to the invention, in a first step 100, at least one first material is provided, which is suitable for producing at least the first part 11 of the component 10 by additive manufacturing.

[0024] A base 50 capable of supporting the growth of the first material is also provided. This base 5 is made of a base material selected to allow subsequent separation of the first part 11 from the base 50 without tearing.

[0025] In a second step 200, the base 50 is machined, during which a first base surface 150 is etched. The first base surface 150 is the reverse of the first reference surface 110 and has a base geometry with tolerances in terms of dimensions and / or flatness and / or cylindricity and / or surface finish that are respectively equal to or more stringent than those of the first geometry of the first reference surface 110.

[0026] The base 50 is positioned on an additive manufacturing device, in particular a three-dimensional printing device.

[0027] In a third step 300, at least the first part 11 of the component 10 is grown in contact with the entire first base surface 150 by additive manufacturing.

[0028] In a fourth step 400, the development of the first part 11 is verified against a first predetermined setpoint value, and the third step 300 and the fourth step 400 of additive manufacturing by adding the first material are iteratively repeated until it is seen and confirmed that the first part 11 has developed to reach or exceed the first predetermined setpoint value, and when the first part 11 has developed to reach or exceed the first predetermined setpoint value, additive manufacturing by adding the first material is stopped.

[0029] More specifically, when the first part 11 has developed to reach or exceed the first predetermined setpoint value, after additive manufacturing of the first part 11 by adding the first material has been stopped, the first part 11 is separated from the base 50.

[0030] More specifically, when the first part 11 has been developed to reach or exceed a first predetermined setpoint value, after additive manufacturing of the first part 11 by adding the first material has been stopped, the first part 11 is ground at the upper surface 500 included in the base 50.

[0031] More specifically, when the first part 11 has been developed to reach or exceed a first predetermined setpoint value, after additive manufacturing of the first part 11 by adding the first material has been stopped, in a fifth step 500, additive manufacturing of the component 10 is continued by adding the first material and / or at least one second material in order to produce the entire component 10; in a sixth step 600, the development of the component 10 is verified against a second predetermined setpoint value, and the fifth step 500 and the sixth step 600 of additive manufacturing by adding the first material and / or at least one second material are iteratively repeated until it is seen and confirmed that the component 10 has been developed to reach or exceed the second predetermined setpoint value, and when the component 10 has been developed to reach or exceed the second predetermined setpoint value, additive manufacturing by adding the first material and / or at least one second material is stopped.

[0032] More specifically, when the component 10 has been developed to reach or exceed a second predetermined setpoint value, after additive manufacturing of the component 10 by adding the first material and / or at least one second material has been stopped, the component 10 is separated from the base 50.

[0033] More specifically, the component 10 is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material, and the material selected for the second material is different from the first material.

[0034] More specifically, the component 10 is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material to the first part 11.

[0035] More specifically, the material selected for the first material is capable of forming the first part 11, thereby forming a first waterproof joint.

[0036] More specifically, the component 10 is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material, and the material selected for the second material is capable of forming a second part 12 of the component 10, and the second part 12 forms a second waterproof joint.

[0037] More specifically, the material selected for the second material is capable of forming a second raised part 20, thereby constituting a second waterproof joint whose resistance property is complementary to the resistance property of the first waterproof joint.

[0038] More specifically, the component 10 is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material, and an elastomeric material is selected for the first and second materials, which have different Shore hardnesses in their respective final states in the first part 11 and the remainder of the component 10 after the additive manufacturing operations of adding the first and second materials, respectively.

[0039] More specifically, the component 10 is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material, and the material selected for at least the second material is capable of forming an optical contrast with the first material.

[0040] More specifically, the material selected for at least the first material is capable of forming a first raised portion that fluoresces or phosphoresces.

[0041] More specifically, the component 10 is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material, and the material selected for at least the second material is capable of forming a second raised portion that is transparent and / or colored.

[0042] More specifically, the additive manufacturing is performed by three-dimensional printing.

[0043] More specifically, the component 10 is produced to be used as a waterproof joint.

Claims

1. A method for producing a timepiece component (10) by additive manufacturing, the timepiece component comprising at least a first portion (11), the first portion (11) comprising a first reference surface (110), the first reference surface (110) having a first geometric shape with tolerances in terms of size and / or flatness and / or cylindricity and / or surface finish, whereby, in a first step (100), at least one first material is provided, the material being suitable for producing at least the first portion (11) of the component (10) by additive manufacturing, and a base (50) is provided, the base being suitable for supporting the growth of the first material and being produced from a base material selected to allow subsequent separation of the first portion (11) from the base (50) without tearing; in a second step (200), the base (50) is machined, wherein a first base surface (150) is etched, the first base surface (150) being the reverse of the first reference surface (110), ... ) having a base geometry, the tolerances of which are equal to or tighter than those of the first geometry of the first reference surface (110) in terms of size and / or flatness and / or cylindricity and / or surface finish, respectively, and positioning the base on an additive manufacturing device; in a third step (300), growing at least the first portion (11) of the component (10) in contact with the entire first base surface (150) by additive manufacturing; in a fourth step (400), verifying the development of the first portion (11) against a first predetermined set point value, and iteratively repeating the third step (300) and the fourth step (400) of additive manufacturing by adding the first material until it is seen and confirmed that the first portion (11) has developed to reach or exceed the first predetermined set point value, and when the first portion (11) has developed to reach or exceed the first predetermined set point value, stopping the additive manufacturing by adding the first material.

2. The production method according to claim 1, characterized in that When the first portion (11) has developed to reach or exceed the first predetermined set point value, the first portion (11) is separated from the base (50) after additive manufacturing of the first portion (11) by adding the first material has ceased.

3. The production method according to claim 1, characterized in that When the first portion (11) has developed to reach or exceed the first predetermined set point value, after additive manufacturing of the first portion (11) by adding the first material has ceased, the first portion (11) is ground at an upper surface included in the base (50).

4. The production method according to claim 1, characterized in that When the first portion (11) has developed to reach or exceed the first predetermined set point value, after stopping the additive manufacturing of the first portion (11) by adding the first material, in a fifth step (500), continue the additive manufacturing of the component (10) by adding the first material and / or at least one second material to produce the entire component (10); in a sixth step (600), verify the development of the component (10) against a second predetermined set point value, and iteratively repeat the fifth step (500) and the sixth step (600) of additive manufacturing by adding the first material and / or the at least one second material until it is seen and confirmed that the component (10) has developed to reach or exceed the second predetermined set point value, and when the component (10) has developed to reach or exceed the second predetermined set point value, stop the additive manufacturing by adding the first material and / or the at least one second material.

5. The production method according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the component (10) has developed to reach or exceed the second predetermined set point value, the component (10) is separated from the base (50) after additive manufacturing of the component (10) by adding the first material and / or the at least one second material has ceased.

6. The production method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that The component (10) is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material, the material selected for the second material being different from the first material.

7. The production method according to claim 6, characterized in that The component (10) is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material to the first portion (11).

8. The production method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The material selected for the first material is capable of forming the first portion, thereby forming a first waterproof joint.

9. The production method according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that The component (10) is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material, and the material chosen for the second material is capable of forming a second portion (12) of the component (10), the second portion (12) forming a second waterproof joint.

10. The production method according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that The material chosen for the second material is capable of forming the second portion (12) so as to form the second waterproof joint having resistance properties that complement the resistance properties of the first waterproof joint.

11. The production method according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that The component (10) is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material and is characterized in that elastomeric materials are selected for the first material and the second material, which materials have different Shore hardnesses in the respective final state of the first part (11) and the remainder of the component (10) after the additive manufacturing operation by adding the first material and the second material, respectively.

12. The production method according to any one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that The component (10) is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material, and the material chosen for the second material is capable of forming a rigid structural portion (13) of the component (10).

13. The production method according to any one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that The component (10) is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material and is characterized in that the material chosen for at least the second material is able to form an optical contrast with the first material.

14. The production method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The material selected for at least the first material is capable of forming a first raised portion that is fluorescent or phosphorescent.

15. The production method according to any one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that The component (10) is produced by additive manufacturing by adding at least one second material and is characterized in that the material selected for at least the second material is capable of forming a transparent and / or colored second raised portion.

16. The production method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The additive manufacturing is performed by three-dimensional printing.

17. The production method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that The component (10) is produced for use as a waterproof joint.

18. A timepiece comprising a timepiece component obtained using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. The timepiece according to claim 18, characterized in that The component is a waterproof connector.

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