TRANSFER DEVICE FOR WATCH MOVEMENT COMPONENTS

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for transferring watch components from a first packaging or support to a second packaging or support, the transfer device being used during a manufacturing process in watchmaking. The invention also relates to a set of transfer devices assembled in series. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a device for transferring watch components as well as to a method for handling watch components. State of the art

[0002] In the field of watchmaking, it is known to position watch components, such as bracelet links or blanks, in packaging or on supports in order to carry out manufacturing steps, such as machining, polishing, galvanic deposition, cleaning, and / or in order to transfer the watch components between the different stations for implementing a manufacturing process. Depending on the steps, the packaging or supports have different shapes and arrangements of watch components to adapt to the corresponding preparation station, for example to adapt to the type of handling or the type of machine tool used by the manufacturing. The different machine tools have specific constraints requiring a particular positioning of the watch components, or even a particular orientation of the latter.These watch components can be positioned in packaging or on supports specifically adapted to a given machine tool. It is generally not possible to maintain the same packaging for the different machine tools used within a manufacturing process and it is often necessary to recondition the watch components so that the packaging is adapted to the specific constraints of a given machine tool.

[0003] Watch components are generally transferred manually from one packaging to another in order to preserve the integrity of their surfaces, in particular the functional surfaces or decorations of the watch components.

[0004] Manual transfer requires steps of gripping, handling and positioning each of the watch components. Watch components must be handled with particular care during manufacturing operations. Indeed, on the one hand, watch components are fragile and their appearance must be free of any imperfection such as a shock, scratch or dirt. On the other hand, watch components are small, which makes their handling particularly delicate: watch components can easily escape from an operator's hands and / or are difficult to handle. In addition, watch components must be positioned at the various workstations with sufficient precision for the manufacturing operations to be correctly executed.

[0005] The manual transfer of watch components is therefore a slow and unergonomic process. The care required to position watch components precisely and without damaging them is generally at odds with the speed of carrying out this positioning.

[0006] US3490134 and US2015259143 represent relevant prior art documents. Subject of the invention

[0007] The aim of the invention is to provide a handling system according to claim 1, and methods for handling watch components according to claims 14 and 15 overcoming the above drawbacks and improving the methods for handling watch components known from the prior art.

[0008] A first object of the invention is to provide a device for efficiently transferring said watch components from a first packaging or support to a second packaging or support while ensuring protection of the watch components during the transfer.

[0009] The invention relates to a device for transferring several watch components arranged on a first support to their arrangement on a second support, the transfer device comprising an input face comprising input orifices arranged to correspond to a first arrangement of the watch components on a first support, an output face comprising output orifices arranged to correspond to a second arrangement of the watch components on a second support, and guide elements capable of automatically guiding the watch components from the input orifices to the output orifices.

[0010] The guide elements may be in the form of channels each respectively connecting an inlet orifice positioned on the inlet face to an outlet orifice positioned on the outlet face, at least one guide element inducing the sliding of a watch component on a wall of said at least one guide element from an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice.

[0011] At least one guide element may include some or all of the following features: a curved guide surface; and / or a guide surface comprising at least one baffle; and / or a guide surface capable of inducing the movement of a watch component in translation and / or in rotation; and / or a guide surface capable of inducing a modification or not of the orientation of a watch component; and / or a guide surface capable of inducing a modification of the orientation of a watch component so that its contact surface with the first support is different from its contact surface with the second support.

[0012] The watch component transfer device may be made of polymer or coated at least partially with a polymer surface, or ceramic, or metal, in particular a metal alloy, to avoid shocking the watch components.

[0013] The watch component transfer device may comprise a removable grid comprising grid orifices arranged identically or compatible with the inlet orifices of the inlet face so as to be able to be superimposed on these inlet orifices of the inlet face and allow the passage of watch components successively through the grid orifices and the inlet orifices.

[0014] The grid and the inlet face may include indexing means for proper positioning of the grid relative to the inlet face.

[0015] The watch component transfer device may comprise a plate removably disposed between the input face of the first transfer device and the grid to allow temporary holding of watch components on the input face before their transfer through the input orifices after removal or displacement of the plate.

[0016] The plate may comprise openings in an arrangement identical to or compatible with the inlet orifices of the inlet face, and the plate may be movable relative to the inlet face, so as to be able to occupy two positions, a first position in which its openings are not completely superimposed with the inlet orifices of the inlet face so that watch components are able to remain held above the inlet face, and a second position in which its openings are superimposed with inlet orifices of the inlet face so that watch components are able to be transferred through the openings of the plate and the inlet orifices of the inlet face.

[0017] The watch component transfer device may be suitable for transferring watch movement blanks such as plates or bridges, watch movement mobiles such as escapement mobiles, or even watch exterior components, such as bracelet links or dial plates or dial indexes.

[0018] The watch component transfer device may be capable of being mounted in series with at least one second transfer device as defined previously. It may comprise means for indexing and / or holding a second transfer device, at its input face and / or at an output face.

[0019] The invention also relates to a set of at least two devices for transferring watch components as defined above, arranged in series, so that the respective guide elements of the at least two transfer devices are connected to form continuous guide elements across the set of at least two transfer devices.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a device for transferring watch components as defined above, the manufacturing method comprising a manufacturing step by adding material, in particular according to one of the following technologies: i. fused deposition modelling; or ii. layer-by-layer polymerisation or crosslinking of a polymer, including stereolithography; or iii. film bonding with an adhesive (LOM for Laminated Object Manufacturing); or iv. agglomeration of a powder layer by SLS (selective laser sintering); or v. powder fusion using a laser (SLM for selective laser melting).

[0021] The invention also relates to a system for handling watch components comprising a first support comprising first housings for transporting and / or carrying out at least a first operation on the watch components, a second separate support comprising second housings for transporting and / or carrying out at least a second operation on the same watch components, and a transfer device as defined previously and / or a set of transfer devices as defined previously for transferring the watch components from the first housings of the first support to the second housings of the second support.

[0022] The first support may be a tray or shuttle and / or the second support may be a tray or shuttle or a tank, particularly a tank filled with liquid or a medium.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method for handling watch components comprising a step of transporting and / or performing at least a first operation on the watch components arranged on a first support, a step of automatically transferring the watch components from the first support to a second support by means of a device as defined previously and / or by means of a set of transfer devices as defined previously, and a step of transporting and / or performing at least a second operation on the watch components arranged on the second support. Summary description of the drawings

[0024] These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which: There figure 1is a schematic view of a watch component handling system equipped with a set of two transfer devices according to one embodiment of the invention. The figure 2 is an isometric view of an assembly comprising two transfer devices according to one embodiment of the invention. The figure 3 is an exploded view of the assembly comprising the two transfer devices according to one embodiment of the invention. The figure 4 is a top view of a first transfer device according to one embodiment of the invention. The Figure 5 is a bottom view of a second transfer device according to an embodiment of the invention. The figure 6 is a sectional view of the assembly comprising the two transfer devices according to one embodiment of the invention. The figure 7is an isometric view of the assembly comprising the two transfer devices and a grid according to one embodiment of the invention. Description of an embodiment

[0025] Throughout the figures and description, the watch component transfer device is assumed to rest on a horizontal floor. The terms "top" and "bottom" are defined in relation to a vertical axis.

[0026] There figure 1schematically illustrates a handling system 1 for watch components 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. The handling system 1 comprises a first support 10 comprising first housings 11 and a second support 20 separate from the first support 10, comprising second housings 21. The first housings 11 of the first support are arranged on the first support according to a first arrangement and the second housings 21 of the second support are arranged on the second support according to a second arrangement, different from the first arrangement. The handling system 1 comprises a set 3 of two transfer devices 30, 40 for transferring watch components 2 from the first housings 11 of the first support 10 to the second housings 21 of the second support 20.

[0027] The watch components 2 may be components of a watch or a clock. The watch components may be rough parts, in particular rough parts of the movement such as plates or bridges, movement mobiles such as escapement mobiles, or even exterior components such as, for example, bracelet links or dial plates or dial indexes or winding crowns. According to the embodiment presented, the watch components 2 are bracelet links of substantially parallelepiped shape. The bracelet links are identical to each other but alternatively, the transfer device could be used to package different components of any shape.

[0028] There figure 2illustrates an embodiment according to the invention of the assembly 3 comprising two transfer devices 30, 40 for watch components 2. The two transfer devices 30, 40 are arranged in series, that is to say one above the other, so as to be able to cooperate. The invention also relates to a single transfer device used in isolation or to an assembly 3 comprising any number of transfer devices arranged in series. Alternatively, the two transfer devices 30, 40 that we will describe could constitute a single part.

[0029] There figure 3is an exploded view of the assembly 3 in which the first transfer device 30 (at the top) and the second transfer device 40 (at the bottom) can be seen more clearly. Each of the two transfer devices 30, 40 has the overall shape of a box and comprises an inlet face 31, 41, or upper face, facing upwards and an outlet face 32, 42, or lower face, facing downwards. When the first transfer device 30 is arranged in series with the second transfer device 40, the outlet face 32 of the first transfer device 30 bears against the inlet face 41 or at least is located opposite the inlet face 41 of the second transfer device 40.

[0030] The input face 31 of the first transfer device 30 is planar and comprises a generally circular shape. The output face 32 is also planar and comprises a generally square shape. Of course, these faces 31, 32 could comprise a shape of any other geometry and could, for example, be curved or discontinuous and optionally comprise indexing means. The input face 31 comprises input orifices 33 arranged to correspond to the first arrangement of the watch components 2 on the first support 10. More precisely, the first arrangement, particularly visible on the figure 4, consists of an arrangement of the inlet orifices 33 according to five concentric circles. The outlet face 32 comprises outlet orifices 34 ordered according to a third arrangement. Each inlet orifice 33 corresponds to a watch component 2 to be transferred. The inlet face 31, 41 and the outlet face 32, 42 of each transfer device may be parallel to each other.

[0031] Similarly, the inlet face 41 of the second transfer device 40 is planar and comprises a generally square shape, of the same dimensions as the outlet face 32 of the first transfer device 30. The outlet face 42 of the second transfer device 40 is also planar and comprises a generally square shape. The inlet face 41 comprises inlet orifices 43 arranged to correspond to the third arrangement, i.e. to the arrangement of the outlet orifices 34 of the outlet face 32 of the first transfer device 30. More precisely, the third arrangement consists of an arrangement of the inlet orifices 43 according to five concentric circles of larger diameter than the five concentric circles defining the first arrangement. It is observed that the inlet orifices 43 of the second transfer device are further spaced from each other than the inlet orifices 33 of the first transfer device.The output face 42 comprises output orifices 44 arranged to correspond to the second arrangement of the watch components 2 on the second support.

[0032] There Figure 5illustrates the arrangement of the outlet orifices 44. They are distributed in a rectangular pattern comprising nine rows of twelve orifices and one row of eleven orifices. Whatever the face considered among the inlet faces 31, 41 or the outlet faces 32, 42, the inlet orifices 33, 43 and the outlet orifices 34, 44 have a shape corresponding to the shape of the watch components 2 according to their predetermined orientation. According to the embodiment presented, this shape is substantially rectangular but could, as a variant, adopt any other shape. The number of inlet ports 33 of the inlet face 31 of the first transfer device 30 is equal to the number of outlet ports 34 of the outlet face 32 of the first transfer device 30, and also equal to the number of inlet ports 43 of the inlet face 41 and the number of outlet ports 44 of the outlet face 42 of the second transfer device 40.In the embodiment presented, this number is equal to one hundred and nineteen but alternatively, it could be different. The inlet orifices 33, 43 and / or outlet orifices 34, 44 may be chamfered to, among other things, improve the transfer of the watch components 2 and in particular to avoid any risk of jamming of the watch components 2.

[0033] Each of the two transfer devices 30, 40 comprises guide elements 35, 45 capable of automatically guiding the watch components 2 from the inlet orifices to the outlet orifices, i.e. without additional manipulation by an operator. The guide elements 35, 45 are in the form of channels each respectively connecting an inlet orifice positioned on the inlet face of the transfer device to an outlet orifice positioned on the outlet face of the transfer device. The guide elements 35, 45 comprise walls capable of guiding a watch component 2 from an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice. The movement of each watch component 2 in a guide element 35, 45 is controlled so as to preserve the integrity of the different surfaces of the watch component 2 during the transfer.Since the outlet ports 34 of the first transfer device 30 coincide with the inlet ports 43 of the second transfer device 40, the guide elements 35, 45 are connected to form continuous guide elements across the two transfer devices. This continuity is illustrated in particular in the . figure 6. Advantageously, not only do the outlet orifices 34 coincide with the inlet orifices 43, but also the orientation of the guide element 35 coincides with the orientation of the guide element 45 at the separation plane between the two transfer devices. More precisely, the orientation of each guide element may be perpendicular to the inlet face or to the outlet face respectively at the inlet orifices and at the outlet orifices. Thus, a watch component 2 can easily slide from the guide element 35 to the guide element 45 without risking being blocked at the interface between the two transfer devices.

[0034] The guide elements 35, 45 may comprise all or part of the following characteristics: a curved guide surface; and / or a guide surface comprising at least one baffle; and / or a guide surface capable of inducing the movement of a watch component 2 in translation and / or in rotation; and / or a guide surface capable of inducing a modification or not of the orientation of a watch component 2; and / or a guide surface capable of inducing a modification of the orientation of a watch component 2 so that its contact surface with a support is different on the first and second supports.

[0035] Thus the shape and configuration of the guide elements make it possible to define a transformation of the arrangement of the watch components 2. As can be seen by comparing the Figures 4 and 5, between the first arrangement and the second arrangement, the watch components 2 have undergone a displacement since their relative position has changed from a shape whose envelope draws a circle to a shape whose envelope draws a rectangle. Between the first arrangement and the second arrangement, the watch components 2 have also undergone a modification of their orientation since their orientation has changed from an orientation along a circle to an orientation where all the watch components 2 are parallel to each other. In general, each guide element 35, 45 can be defined to impose a displacement of a watch component 2 along one or more axes, in particular to impose a rotation of the watch component 2 around one or more axes. The surface on which a watch component 2 rests in the first support 10 can thus be different from the surface on which the component rests in the second support 20.Such rotation of the watch component 2 can be obtained by means of a chicane arranged in the corresponding guide element.

[0036] An assembly 3 may comprise any number of transfer devices, including a single transfer device, for example only the first transfer device 30 or only the second transfer device 40. Advantageously, transfer devices defining different elementary transformations of the arrangement of the watch components 2 may be combined in series in the same assembly 3 so as to obtain a more complex transformation of the arrangement of the watch components 2. It is thus possible to achieve a wide variety of transformations by combining a limited number of compatible transfer devices. Furthermore, the assembly of several transfer devices in series makes it possible to limit the length of each guide element and facilitates the recovery of watch components 2 which may have accidentally become blocked in the transfer device during the transfer.

[0037] According to an alternative embodiment, a transfer device can be used only to modify the orientation of watch components 2 without modifying their relative positions. According to another alternative, a transfer device can be used to change or invert the positions of different watch components without modifying the pattern drawn by their arrangement. Advantageously, the same transfer device can be used reversibly, that is to say both to pass from a first arrangement to a second arrangement and to pass from the second arrangement to the first arrangement. In such a case, the transfer device is turned over and the outlet orifices are used as inlet orifices and the inlet orifices are used as outlet orifices.

[0038] According to another variant, a transfer device may be arranged so as to group or ungroup watch components 2 and have a number of inlet orifices 33, 43 different from the number of outlet orifices 34, 44. For example, such a transfer device may be used to group two watch components 2 in the same area of ​​the second support 20. Alternatively, when ungrouping watch components 2, certain areas of the second support 20 may be left empty, for example to receive a different watch component. For this purpose, depending on the desired transformation, two guide elements of the same transfer device may be connected to each other by a branch or the same guide element may separate into two separate branches.

[0039] According to another variant, the first support 10 and / or the second support 20 may be a group of supports. For example, to separate the components towards at least two second supports, the parts of each of these second supports being provided, for example, to undergo different surface treatments.

[0040] In reference to the figure 3, the two transfer devices 30, 40 comprise indexing means 36, 46 allowing a unique positioning of the two transfer devices relative to each other. On the first transfer device, the indexing means 36 is constituted by four holes 37 of circular shape arranged at the four corners of the output face 32. On the second transfer device, the indexing means 46 is constituted by four studs 47 of cylindrical shape arranged at the four corners of the input face 41. The four studs 47 are capable of cooperating with the four holes 37. Advantageously, the indexing means are provided so that the two transfer devices 30, 40 can be associated according to a unique orientation. Thus, one of the four holes 37 comprises a smaller diameter than the other three holes so as to be able to cooperate only with one of the four studs 47 also having a smaller diameter.This avoids fitting the two transfer devices together with an inappropriate quarter-turn rotation.

[0041] As illustrated in the figure 7 , the transfer device 30 may comprise a removable grid 50 comprising grid orifices 51 arranged in an identical or compatible manner to the inlet orifices 33 of the inlet face 31. The grid orifices 51 may be superimposed on the inlet orifices 33 of the inlet face 31 to allow the passage of the watch components 2 successively through the grid orifices 51 and the inlet orifices 33. The grid has a generally planar shape. It has a first portion in the shape of an arc of a circle 52 extended by a handle 53. The grid orifices 51 may optionally be chamfered.

[0042] Advantageously, the inlet face 31 of the first transfer device 30 and / or the grid comprise indexing means 38, 54 for the correct positioning of the grid 50 relative to the inlet face 31. On the inlet face 31, the indexing means 38 is constituted by vertical projections 39A, 39B defining housings in which the grid 50 can fit. On the grid 50, the indexing means 54 is constituted, on the one hand, by the handle 53 capable of being housed between two first projections 39A on either side of the handle 53. On the other hand, the indexing means 54 also comprises two appendages 55 connected by a second portion in an arc of a circle 56. The two appendages 55 are capable of bearing against two second projections 39B. In this position, the second arc-shaped portion 56 is also in abutment against a matching abutment means 39C arranged on the entry face 31 of the first transfer device 30.Thus, the grid can be uniquely positioned relative to the first transfer device by sliding it in the plane of the inlet face 31 so that the handle 53 passes between the first two projections 39A and until the first two projections 39A abut against the first arcuate portion 52. In such a position, the grid orifices 51 coincide with the inlet orifices 33 of the first transfer device. One end of the handle 53 may protrude from the transfer device so that an operator can easily grasp the grid to move it.

[0043] The grid may be made of the same material as the input face 31 or of a different material, both abrasion-resistant and preserving the integrity of the surfaces of the watch components 2. Repeated use of a transfer device equipped with a grid may lead to wear of the surface of the grid. Advantageously, the grid 50 is simple to manufacture and can be easily replaced by a new identical grid. Thus, it is not necessary to manufacture a new transfer device due to wear associated with intensive use.

[0044] Optionally, the first transfer device may comprise a plate (not shown) arranged removably between the entry face 31 of the first transfer device 30 and the grid 50 to allow temporary holding of the watch components 2 above the entry face 31 before their transfer through the entry orifices 33. The removal of the plate frees the entry orifices thus allowing the watch components 2 to pass through the transfer device.

[0045] Alternatively, the plate may comprise openings in an arrangement identical to or compatible with the inlet orifices 33 and be movable relative to the inlet face 31, so as to be able to occupy two positions. In a first position, the openings of the plate are not completely superimposed with the inlet orifices 33 so that watch components 2 are able to remain held on the plate. In a second position, the openings of the plate are superimposed with inlet orifices 33 so that watch components 2 are able to be transferred through the openings of the plate and the inlet orifices 33. A movement of the plate from the first position to the second position causes the movement of all the watch components 2 directly above the inlet orifices 33 and they can then pass through the transfer device.

[0046] The first support 10 may be a tray or a shuttle. The second support 20 may be a tray or a shuttle or a tank, in particular a tank filled with liquid or a medium. The first support and the second support are packaging suitable for carrying out a step of a watch manufacturing process. Advantageously, the presence of liquid, or a medium, cushions the fall of the watch components 2 within the second support 20 and / or through the guide elements 35, 45. The watch components 2 reach the second support 20 gently and do not collide. Alternatively or additionally, the transfer device may be immersed or filled with a medium.

[0047] The first transfer device 30 comprises a generally cylindrical flank provided with stiffening ribs. The second transfer device 40 comprises generally rectangular flanks also provided with stiffening ribs. Thus, each transfer device is rigid and solid, and is thus suitable for use in a production workshop.

[0048] Each transfer device may be single-piece and compact. It may be made of polymer or coated at least partially with a polymer surface, or ceramic, or metal, in particular a metal alloy, to preserve the integrity of the watch components 2, in particular to avoid deforming or scratching them or to facilitate their transfer. Advantageously, it is made of a material compatible with manufacturing by addition of material, also called additive synthesis, 3D printing or three-dimensional printing. Additive synthesis makes it possible to produce a real object, using a specific installation which deposits and / or solidifies material, layer by layer, to obtain a volume. In particular, the transfer device may be manufactured using one of the following technologies: i. fused deposition modeling, also referred to as “FDM” as the initials for “Fuse Deposition Modeling”; or ii. layer-by-layer polymerization or crosslinking of a polymer, including stereolithography, including photopolymerization stereolithography or SLA; or iii. film bonding with an adhesive, also referred to as “LOM” as the initials for “Laminated Object Manufacturing”; or iv. agglomeration of a layer of powder by laser sintering, also referred to as “SLS” as the initials for “Selective Laser Sintering” or selective laser sintering; or v. powder fusion using a laser, also referred to as “SLM” as the initials for “Selective Laser Melting”.

[0049] These manufacturing techniques allow the design of transfer devices comprising guide elements 35, 45 with complex shapes, in particular curved or sinuous shapes. These manufacturing techniques also have very good reproducibility and allow a highly automated manufacturing process. This eliminates the manufacturing constraints imposed in particular by molding or drilling.

[0050] The invention also relates to a method for handling watch components 2. The handling method comprises a step of transporting and / or performing at least a first operation on the watch components 2. This first operation may be, for example, a machining operation, in particular drilling, tapping, milling, turning, or even bar turning. The first operation may also be a washing or finishing operation such as, in particular, a polishing operation, a deposit of finishing layers, in particular galvanic layers or decorative layers. This first operation may be carried out using a machine tool. During this operation, or at least at the end of this first operation, the watch components 2 are arranged on the first support 10 according to the first arrangement.

[0051] Then, the handling method comprises a step of automatically transferring the watch components 2 from the first support 10 to a second support 20 by means of the assembly 3 comprising the two transfer devices 30, 40. The watch components 2 are inserted from the first support into the inlet orifices 33, the arrangement of which is adapted to the arrangement of the watch components 2 in the first support. Then, the watch components 2 slide along the walls of the guide elements 35, 45 to the outlet orifices 44. The watch components 2 thus pass from the first arrangement to the second arrangement under the sole effect of gravity, without intervention of an operator. It is therefore understood that the transfer devices preferably rest on a horizontal or almost horizontal plane.Between the first arrangement and the second arrangement, the watch components 2 pass, at the interface between the first transfer device 30 and the second transfer device 40, through the third arrangement, which is therefore a transitional arrangement.

[0052] Then the handling method comprises a step of transporting and / or performing at least one second operation on the watch components 2 arranged on the second support 20 and according to the second arrangement. This second operation may be for example a machining operation, in particular drilling, tapping, milling, turning, or even bar turning. The second operation may also be a washing or finishing operation such as in particular a polishing operation, a deposition of finishing layers, in particular galvanic layers or decorative layers. This second operation may be carried out using a machine tool and requires precise positioning of the watch components 2, according to the second arrangement.

[0053] Thanks to the invention, a transfer device is provided that facilitates the transformations of the arrangement of watch components 2 and thus simplifies the manufacturing process of a watch or clock. The watch components 2 are thus rearranged quickly, without handling and without risk of damaging them.

Claims

1. System (1) for handling watch components (2), comprising a first support (10) which is a tray or a container comprising first housings (11) so arranged as to correspond to a first arrangement, and on which are placed the watch components so that they rest on a certain surface, for the transport and / or the implementation of at least one first operation on the watch components (2), said system comprises a second, distinct support (20) comprising second housings (21) for the transport and / or the implementation of at least one second operation on the same watch components (2), and comprises at least a transfer device (30, 40) for transferring the watch components (2) from the first housings (11) of the first support (10) to the second support (20), the device (30, 40) for the transfer of a plurality of watch components (2) comprising an inlet surface (31, 41) comprising inlet orifices (33, 43) so arranged as to correspond to a first arrangement of the watch components (2) on the first support (10), an outlet surface (32, 42) comprising outlet orifices (34, 44) so arranged as to correspond to a second arrangement of the watch components (2) on the second support (20), and guide elements (35, 45) adapted to guide the watch components (2) automatically from the inlet orifices (33, 43) to the outlet orifices (34, 44).

2. System (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the guide elements (35, 45) are in the form of channels each respectively connecting an inlet orifice (33, 43) positioned on the inlet surface (31, 41) to an outlet orifice (34, 44) positioned on the outlet surface (32, 42), at least one guide element (35, 45) causing the sliding of a watch component (2) on a wall of said at least one guide element (35, 45) from an inlet orifice (33, 43) to an outlet orifice (34, 44).

3. System (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one guide element (35, 45) comprises all or some of the following characterizing features: - a curved guide surface; and / or - a guide surface comprising at least one chicane; and / or - a guide surface adapted to cause the displacement of a watch component (2) according to a translatory movement and / or according to a rotational movement; and / or - a guide surface adapted to cause or not to cause a modification to the orientation of a watch component (2); and / or - a guide surface adapted to cause a modification to the orientation of a watch component (2) in such a way that its contact surface with the first support (10) is different from its contact surface with the second support (20).

4. System (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer device (30, 40) is made of polymer or coated at least partially with a surface made of polymer, or ceramic, or metal, especially an alloy of metals, in order to avoid clattering the watch components (2).

5. System (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a removable grille (50) comprising grille orifices (51) arranged in a manner that is identical or compatible with the inlet orifices (33) of the inlet surface (31) of the transfer device (30, 40) in order to be capable of being overlaid on these inlet orifices (33) of the inlet surface (31) and to permit the passage of watch components (2) successively through the grille orifices (51) and the inlet orifices (33).

6. System (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the grille (50) and the inlet surface (31) comprise a means of indexation (38, 54) for the correct positioning of the grille (50) relative to the inlet surface (31).

7. System (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that it comprises a plate arranged in a removable manner between the inlet surface (31) of the first transfer device (30) and the grille (50) in order to permit the temporary retention of watch components (2) on the inlet surface before their transfer through the inlet orifices (33) after retraction or displacement of the plate.

8. System (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the plate comprises openings according to an arrangement that is identical to or compatible with the inlet orifices (33) of the inlet surface (31), and in that the plate is mobile relative to the inlet surface, in such a way as to be capable of occupying two positions, a first position in which its openings are not totally overlapped by the inlet orifices (33) of the inlet surface (31) in such a way that watch components (2) are adapted to continue to be retained above the inlet surface (31), and a second position in which its openings are overlapped by inlet orifices (33) of the inlet surface (31) in such a way that watch components (2) are adapted to be transferred through the openings in the plate and the inlet orifices (33) of the inlet surface (31).

9. System (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is adapted for the transfer of movement-blanks such as plates or bridges, wheels of the watch movement such as escape wheels, or even watch-making components such as bracelet links or dial plates or dial indices.

10. System (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a transfer device (30, 40) adapted to be mounted in series with at least one second transfer device (40), and especially in that it comprises means of indexation (36, 46) and / or of retention of a second transfer device (40) in the area of its inlet surface (41) and / or in the area of an outlet surface (32).

11. System (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two devices (30, 40) for the transfer of watch components (2) arranged in series, comprising each respective guide elements (35, 45), in such a way that these respective guide elements (35, 45) are connected in order to form continuous guide elements (35, 45) on the assembly of the at least two transfer devices (30, 40).

12. System (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it the second support (20) comprises second housings (21), the transfer device (30, 40) being able to transfer the watch components (2) from the first housings (11) of the first support (10) to the second housings (21) of the second support (20).

13. System (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second support (20) is a tray or a container or a vessel, in particular a vessel filled with liquid or with a medium.

14. Method of manufacturing a transfer device (30, 40) of a system (1) for handling watch components (2) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a stage of manufacture by the addition of material, especially according to one of the following technologies: i. modeling by deposition of molten material; or ii. polymerization or reticulation by layer of a polymer, especially stereolithography; or iii. bonding of film with an adhesive (LOM, for Laminated Object Manufacturing); or iv. agglomeration of a layer of powder by laser sintering, SLS (selective laser sintering); or v. melting of powder with the aid of a laser (SLM, for selective laser melting).

15. Method of handling watch components (2), comprising a stage of transport and / or of performing at least one first operation on the watch components (2) arranged on a first support (10), and characterized in that it comprises a stage for the automatic transfer of the watch components (2) from the first support (10) onto a second support (20) by means of a transfer device (30, 40) of a system (1) for handling as claimed in one of claims 1 to 13, and in that it comprises a stage of transport and / or of performing at least one second operation on the watch components (2) arranged on the second support (20).