Carbon jewelry manufacturing process

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing carbon jewelry. The method comprises the following successive steps: - a) preparing an assembly consisting of several layers of a plurality of pre-impregnated carbon pieces; - b) applying said assembly to a mold of flat, cylindrical, circular, or oval shape; - c) baking the assembly; - d) applying a layer of a resin and hardener mixture to the outer surface; - e) applying a new piece of dry carbon fabric; - f) heating; - g) allowing the assembly to dry; - h) cutting the assembly to form carbon jewelry pieces; - i) sanding each piece of jewelry; - j) polishing each piece of jewelry. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for manufacturing carbon jewelry Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing carbon jewelry. It is particularly applicable in the field of jewelry manufacturing and fashion. Prior art

[0002] Carbon is a chemical element and very common in everyday life. It is found in all living bodies and can be found in gaseous, liquid and solid states. In the solid state, carbon can be applied in many fields of work, such as in the manufacture of jewelry.

[0003] Certain prior art documents also propose a jewelry device. For example, publication document WO9958011A1 is known, which refers to a bracelet-type jewelry item that includes links connected to each other in an articulated manner.

[0004] Jewelry is an object that is considered an accessory, however it has drawbacks.

[0005] The jewel cannot be designed to fit all wrist and forearm shapes of all humans.

[0006] The material of the jewelry can cause allergic reactions when worn.

[0007] The links of the jewel can be fragile and break quickly. Presentation of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks with a completely innovative approach.

[0009] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a method for manufacturing carbon jewelry.

[0010] In particular, an objective of the invention is to provide such a technique making it possible to do without any other complex manufacturing system.

[0011] An objective of the invention is to provide such a method, which can be easily adapted during the manufacture of jewelry, bracelets, plaques, etc.

[0012] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved, according to a first aspect, using a method for manufacturing carbon jewelry, remarkable in that the method comprises the following successive steps: - a) preparing an assembly consisting of several layers on top of each other of a plurality of pre-impregnated carbon parts, said pre-impregnated part is a twill carbon fabric mixture, the first pre-impregnated carbon layer comprises fibers oriented alternately at 0° and 90° of 300 g / m2, the next layer is composed of another pre-impregnated carbon part, said other pre-impregnated carbon fabric impregnated with fibers oriented alternately at -45° and +45° of 300g / m2; - b) applying said assembly to a flat, cylindrical, circular or oval mold; - c) cooking the assembly at a temperature of at least 50°C for at least 30 min, then at least 80°C for at least 20 min then at least 90°C for at least 20 min; - d) applying to the outer surface a layer of a mixture of resin and hardener, the proportion of the mixture being 1g of resin for a quantity of hardener of between 0.25 and 0.50g of hardener, and the quantity of the weight of the mixture being between 90% and 110% of the weight of said part in dry carbon pre-impregnation; - e) apply a new piece of dry carbon fabric comprising fibers oriented alternately at 0° and 90° of 300g / m2 on the outer surface of the assembly resulting from the previous step; - f) heating for a period of approximately 5 minutes to 15 minutes at a temperature between 20° and 40°; - g) leave the assembly from the previous step to dry for 20 to 30 hours at a temperature between 15°C and 25°C; - h) cutting the assembly to form carbon jewelry with a cutting machine; - i) sand each piece of jewelry with a sanding disc with grains between 1500 and 3000°; - j) polish each piece of jewelry from the previous step with a polishing foam on a rotating lathe and polishing product.

[0013] Thanks to these arrangements, the jewelry is made of carbon and allows for a neat appearance. In the case of making a bracelet, there is better flexibility with the fibers oriented at 45°, to facilitate the passage of the wrist.

[0014] One effect of using this process is the repeatability of the jewelry manufacturing, there is a guarantee that the jewelry is identical in terms of quality and robustness.

[0015] The invention is advantageously implemented according to the embodiments and variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically effective combination.

[0016] In one embodiment, furthermore after step j), a step k): sand the carbon jewel with a sanding disc with grains between 3000 and 5000 for a duration between 3 seconds and 7 seconds.

[0017] Thanks to these provisions, this step k) makes it possible to remove impurities.

[0018] In one embodiment, prior to step a), a preheating step between 20° and 30° for a minimum of 10 minutes.

[0019] Thanks to these provisions, preheating allows for good fluidity of the resin during application.

[0020] In one embodiment, prior to the preheating step, the surface of the prepreg part is cleaned with diluent.

[0021] Thanks to these provisions, the diluent makes it possible to remove impurities from the part.

[0022] In one embodiment, after step i), the sanding area is cleaned with compressed air for at least 20 seconds.

[0023] Thanks to these provisions, cleaning allows the dust caused by sanding to be removed.

[0024] In one embodiment, said method comprises a new application of a layer of a mixture of resin and hardener on the outer surface of the assembly and then the heating step f) is repeated.

[0025] Thanks to these provisions, the application of a new layer of resin and hardener will allow the jewel to be formed.

[0026] In one embodiment, during step d), the assembly is debubbled by a debubbling roller to remove the air trapped in the carbon fabric.

[0027] Thanks to these provisions, debubbling makes it possible to remove any air bubbles that are in the layer of dry fabric.

[0028] In one embodiment, during step d) said assembly is pressed with a dry brush suitable for applying the resin homogeneously.

[0029] Thanks to these arrangements, the pressure of the dry brush makes it possible to mix the mixture of resin and hardener with the layers of dry fabric.

[0030] In one embodiment, during step g), the rotation is carried out at a speed of between 4000 rpm and 6000 rpm.

[0031] Thanks to these provisions, the use of the rotary lathe makes it possible to eliminate the impurities felt to the touch. Brief description of the figures

[0032] Other advantages, aims and characteristics of the present invention emerge from the following description given, for explanatory and in no way limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0033] [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a carbon jewel which is the subject of the present invention;

[0034] [Fig.2] represents another perspective view of [Fig.l];

[0035] [Fig. 3] represents a perspective view of a fabric applied to a mold according to an example of realization;

[0036] [Fig.4] represents the stages of manufacturing the jewel. Description of the embodiments

[0037] [Fig.l] shows a perspective view of a carbon jewel. According to the example re- presented it is a bracelet.

[0038] The design has an elliptical shape. The elliptical shape has a part open to allow the jewel to be passed through its handle.

[0039] The jewel has a certain length, width, thickness and rounded ends.

[0040] The jewel is made of carbon.

[0041] Carbon is the chemical element with atomic number 6 and symbol C which is part of the non-metals, more specifically the crystallogens.

[0042] An atomic number designates the order number of an element in the periodic table, which corresponds to the number of protons.

[0043] Using the symbol C makes it easy to find carbon in a periodic table.

[0044] A crystallogen is a chemical element in the fourteenth column of the periodic table of elements.

[0045] The carbon jewel comes from a set of pre-impregnated parts.

[0046] Prepreg is a reinforcing fiber or fabric in which a system pre-catalyzed resin was impregnated by a machine.

[0047] The pre-preg part is a twill carbon fabric.

[0048] Twill carbon fabrics are more commonly used for softness, flexibility and performance.

[0049] Twill carbon fabric is frequently used in various fields such as: model making, aircraft construction, motor sport.

[0050] Naturally, the invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that those skilled in the art are able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0051] [Fig.2] shows another perspective view of the jewel of [Fig.l].

[0052] The profile shown shows the perspective view to better see the rounded edges.

[0053] [Fig.3] shows a perspective view of a fabric applied to a mold.

[0054] The mold has a circular cylindrical shape.

[0055] According to another embodiment, the mold has an elliptical cylindrical shape.

[0056] The pre-preg layers are positioned on top of each other before cooking or heating.

[0057] [Fig.4] shows a diagram.

[0058] This diagram represents a series of successive steps summarizing the method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0059] During step 100, this involves the step of sanding a surface of at least one pre-impregnated part.

[0060] The objective of sanding is to achieve a smooth surface before applying a finishing product.

[0061] After the sanding step, the pre-preg part will be cleaned with a thinner.

[0062] A diluent is a liquid added to clean solvents to improve their application characteristics.

[0063] The diluent is an ABU diluent, registered trademark, it comes from the Sicomin brand, registered trademark.

[0064] Sicomin is a registered trademark.

[0065] The term ABU diluent designates an impregnating diluent for cleaning.

[0066] The manufacture of the jewel involves the application of a resin and a hardener which forms a mixture.

[0067] According to one example, the resin comes from greenepoxy, a registered trademark (40% bio-sourced) which is a mixture of matrix and hardener, the proportion of which is 1g of resin to 0.39g of hardener.

[0068] Resin is a compound used in the manufacture of plastics.

[0069] Hardener is a substance that causes a chemical hardening reaction.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the resin and the hardener are preheated to a temperature between 20°C and 30°C.

[0071] Preheating allows for optimal viscosity which will be used for carbon impregnation.

[0072] The resin is a 40% bio-sourced Surfclear Evo resin.

[0073] The hardener is a fast SD Evo hardener.

[0074] During step 100, this is the step of preparing an assembly consisting of several layers on top of each other.

[0075] Said layers of the assembly are pre-impregnated parts.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the pre-impregnated parts are made of twill carbon.

[0077] An assembly consists of at least two different layers of prepreg parts.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the first layer of twill carbon comprises fibers oriented alternately at 0° and 90° of 300 g / m2.

[0079] The second layer of twill carbon comprises fibers oriented alternately at -45° and +45° of 300g / m2.

[0080] According to another example, the first layer of the pre-impregnated carbon part is a twill oriented at 0 / 90° and the following 2 or 3 layers are pre-impregnated carbon oriented at -45° / +45°.

[0081] During step 101, this is the step of applying the assembly in a mold.

[0082] The whole is prepared in an oval-shaped mold (visible in the previous figure).

[0083] The mold will allow the whole thing to take the shape of the desired jewel.

[0084] During step 102, this is the step of cooking the assembly.

[0085] Cooking is carried out in an oven with temperature sensors in order to control the temperature rise so that it is constant. The temperature rise is regular at 2° / min.

[0086] According to one example, the temperature of at least 50°C for at least 30 min, then at least 80°C for at least 20 min then at least 90°C for at least 20 min.

[0087] According to another example, the cooking temperature is 60°C for 45 min, then 90°C for 30 min and 100°C for 30 min.

[0088] During step 103, this involves the step of applying a mixture of a layer of resin and a layer of hardener to the outer surface of the assembly.

[0089] The amount of the resin weight is between 90% and 110% of the weight of the pre-impregnated part.

[0090] According to another example, the quantity of the weight of the mixture is between 90% and 110% of the weight of said weight of dry carbon (1 fabric of dry carbon +-45° (biaxial given name) first and 1 fabric of dry carbon 0 / 90° (twill)).

[0091] The resin and hardener are applied with a dry brush.

[0092] Using a dry brush allows the mixture to be applied evenly.

[0093] Said dry brush consists of impregnating the mixture of resin and hardener on the whole.

[0094] The dry brush applies a quantity of resin and hardener mixture of between 40% and 60% to the outer surface of the assembly.

[0095] According to one example, at this step a debubbling step is added between each layer.

[0096] Debubbling is a device that removes air bubbles from a liquid intended to be injected or reinjected into the body.

[0097] The de-bubbling step is carried out with a de-bubbling roller.

[0098] Said debubbler roller will allow for an assembly without air bubbles.

[0099] During step 104, this is the step of applying a new piece of dry carbon fabric.

[0100] Said new part comprises fibers oriented alternately at 0° and 90° of 300 g / m2.

[0101] This step is applied to the outer surface of the set of prepreg parts.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the method comprises another step of applying a layer of resin and hardener to the new assembly formed.

[0103] The amount of the resin weight is between 40% and 60% of the weight of the new dry carbon fabric part.

[0104] During step 105, this is the step of heating the assembly.

[0105] Heating lasts approximately 5 minutes to 15 minutes at a temperature between 20° and 40°.

[0106] After heating the assembly, the dry brush applies a quantity of mixture remaining between 20% and 30% on the assembly

[0107] This application allows you to obtain a uniform shine over the entire part.

[0108] During step 106, this is the step of drying the assembly.

[0109] The assembly is left for a period of between 20 and 30 hours before starting the finishing at a temperature of between 15°C and 25°C, preferably 20°C.

[0110] The assembly and the mixture of resin and hardener will dry together so that the resin polymerizes and freezes.

[0111] The freezing time is between 2h40 and 3h00 with a temperature between between 15°C and 25°C.

[0112] During step 107, this is the step of cutting the assembly.

[0113] The cutting step is done with a cutting machine.

[0114] This step allows the carbon jewel to be formed. For example, bracelets or plates.

[0115] During step 108, this is the step of sanding the jewelry.

[0116] This sanding step is a finishing step, all the steps to follow are finishing.

[0117] Sanding is done with said high speed rotary lathe and a wet sanding disc.

[0118] A lathe is a machine tool for manufacturing a part using the machining process.

[0119] The machining process is a manufacturing method consisting of removing material using a tool in order to obtain a part having the desired shape, dimensions and surface quality.

[0120] Said rotating lathe at a speed between 4000 rpm and 6000 rpm.

[0121] The wet sanding disc is a 2000 disc.

[0122] The sanding step removes impurities felt to the touch.

[0123] During step 109, this is the step of polishing the jewelry.

[0124] Polishing takes place with the rotary lathe modified for polishing, and lasts between 1 minute and 3 minutes.

[0125] The jewel is polished with a polishing foam.

[0126] Said polishing foam can be firm or soft. The firm polishing foam will be suitable for de-bubbling paint, removing drips or embedded dust, but may leave polishing marks, whereas the soft foam will remove these marks without removing major defects.

[0127] The polishing foam has the following reference: 3M Fast Cut XL, brand filed.

[0128] Polishing allows you to restore a smooth appearance to the bodywork and remove micro-scratches, stains, oxidation of the paint or varnish, rectify the consequences of irregular maintenance or poor washing techniques. In the case of carbon jewelry, polishing allows you to have a smooth and clean appearance on the exterior surface.

[0129] After the polishing step, the jewel is lightly sanded on the outer surface with the rotary lathe and with another disc for a period of approximately 5 seconds.

[0130] Said disc is a 4000 grit disc.

[0131] The series of steps corresponds to the step of the manufacturing process of the carbon jewel.

[0132] It is emphasized that all features, as they emerge for a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings and the attached claims, even if concretely they have only been described in relation to other determined features, both individually and in any combinations, can be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, provided that this has not been expressly excluded or that technical circumstances make such combinations impossible or meaningless.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for manufacturing carbon jewelry, characterized in that the method comprises the following successive steps: - a) preparing an assembly consisting of several layers one on top of the other of a plurality of pre-impregnated carbon pieces, said pre-impregnated piece is a twill carbon fabric mixture, the first pre-impregnated carbon layer comprises fibers oriented alternately at 0° and 90° of 300 g / m2, the next layer is composed of another pre-impregnated carbon piece, said other pre-impregnated carbon fabric comprises fibers oriented alternately at -45° and +45° of 300g / m2; - b) applying said assembly to a mold of flat, circular, cylindrical or oval shape; - c) cooking the assembly at a temperature of at least 50°C for at least 30 min, then at least 80°C for at least 20 min then at least 90°C for at least 20 min;- d) applying to the outer surface a layer of a mixture of resin and hardener, the proportion of the mixture being 1g of resin for a quantity of hardener of between 0.25 and 0.50g of hardener, and the quantity of the weight of the mixture being between 90% and 110% of the weight of said dry carbon pre-impregnated part; - e) applying a new part of dry carbon fabric comprising fibres oriented alternately at 0° and 90° of 300g / m2 to the outer surface of the assembly resulting from the previous step; - f) heating for a period of approximately 5 minutes to 15 minutes at a temperature of between 20° and 40°; - g) leaving the assembly resulting from the previous step to dry for 20h to 30h at a temperature of between 15°C and 25°C; - h) cutting the assembly to form carbon jewellery with a cutting machine; - i) sand each piece of jewelry with a sanding disc with grains between 1500 and 3000°;- j) polish each piece of jewelry from the previous step with a polishing foam on a rotating lathe and polishing product.;

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises after step j) a step k): sanding the carbon jewel with a sanding disc whose grains are between 3000 and 5000 for a duration between 3 seconds and 7 seconds.

3. Method according to claim 1, in which prior to step a), a preheating step between 20° and 30° for a minimum of 10 minutes.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein prior to the preheating step, the surface of the prepreg part is cleaned with diluent.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein after step i), the sanding area is cleaned with compressed air for at least 20 seconds.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said method comprises a further application of a layer of a mixture of resin and hardener to the outer surface of the assembly and then the heating step f) is repeated.

7. Method according to claim 1, in which during step d), the assembly is debubbled by a debubbling roller to remove the air trapped in the carbon fabric.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein during step d) said assembly is pressed with a dry brush adapted to apply the resin homogeneously.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein in step g), the rotation is carried out at a speed of between 4000 rpm and 6000 rpm.

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