Method for forming a three-dimensional object on a dial

Abstract

The invention relates to a deposition method (500) for forming a three-dimensional object (220) on a dial and / or a bezel. The deposition method (500) comprises at least the steps of providing (510) at least one support (210) and depositing (520) an attachment layer (120). An outline (229) of the object (220) is delimited (530) so as to enable forming (540) a cavity (225) by depositing a plurality of polymer layers (130) such that the object (220) is formed by filling (550) the cavity (225) with depositing (520) at least one finishing layer (140).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for forming an object. More specifically, this invention relates to a method for depositing layers to form a three-dimensional object for a watch dial. Background Technology

[0002] There are various existing techniques for creating patterns on substrates. However, these techniques do not allow for the creation of objects including undercuts.

[0003] More specifically, the current method uses directional beams to generate patterns, the cross-section of which is rectangular or polygonal, such as trapezoidal or rhomboid.

[0004] More complex shapes cannot be achieved using these current methods; for example, circular outlines or curved surfaces cannot be created. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention proposes to completely or partially overcome these drawbacks by providing a deposition method for forming an object, preferably an object for a watch; said object comprising a perimeter, at least one first surface, and / or volume; said deposition method comprising at least one of the following steps:

[0006] - Provide at least one support member including at least one receiving surface;

[0007] - Deposit an adhesion layer on at least one receiving surface;

[0008] - Define a contour on the deposited adhesion layer; the contour corresponds to the perimeter of the object, the at least one first surface, and / or the volume;

[0009] - A chamber is formed along the contour by depositing multiple polymer layers on the adhesion layer such that the adhesion layer is relative to, and preferably free from, the perimeter of the object, the at least one first surface and / or the volume-equivalent portion thereof;

[0010] - The cavity is filled by depositing at least one finishing layer on the opposite, preferably free portion of the attachment layer; and

[0011] - Surface-treat the plurality of polymer layers and the deposited adhesion layer to expose the at least one receiving surface of the support.

[0012] This concept allows for the creation of objects with complex shapes, such as circular outlines or curved surfaces.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the object includes at least one second surface that is more curved than the at least one first surface.

[0014] This concept allows for the creation of objects with complex shapes, such as curved surfaces.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the cavity is formed along the centerline of the object and / or the contour is formed along the centerline of the object.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the centerline forms an angle with the at least one receiving surface.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the object forms an undercut in the plurality of polymer layers or the object includes an undercut (224).

[0018] Based on any of the above assumptions, it is possible to create objects with complex shapes and undercuts.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the chamber is formed by additive manufacturing.

[0020] Based on any of the above assumptions, it is possible to create objects with complex shapes and undercuts.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the adhesion layer comprises at least one material selected from Au, Cu, Ag, In, Pt, Pd, Ni, Ti, Ta, Cr, Th, or alloys thereof.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the at least one finishing layer comprises at least one material selected from these materials or alloys of these materials.

[0023] Because of these materials, complex shapes can be created through additive manufacturing.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the surface treatment is performed by pickling and / or stripping.

[0025] As a result of this design, the at least one receiving surface of the support member has a better visual appearance.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the support is made of ceramic.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the deposition of the adhesion layer is performed in contact with the at least one receiving surface.

[0028] As such, the at least one receiving surface is made conductive.

[0029] The present invention relates to a watch comprising at least one support and an object produced according to the deposition method of the present invention.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the at least one support member is a dial or bezel. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The invention will now be described in more detail using the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example and are not restrictive, wherein:

[0032] Figure 1 A deposition method 500 according to the present invention is shown;

[0033] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Examples of objects with undercut 224 and / or curved surfaces are shown;

[0034] Figure 4 An example of a watch dial produced according to the deposition method 500 is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Different objects are shown that are referred to as complex objects due to their geometry. More specifically, these objects have at least one curved surface and an undercut 224, which makes these shapes difficult to replicate on an industrial scale.

[0036] More specifically, most current methods use directional beams to create patterns with rectangular cross-sections.

[0037] However, curved surfaces produce an appearance that is very popular with users. Therefore, the applicant proposes a deposition method 500, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it is used to form an object 220 on at least one support member 210, the support member 210 preferably being made of ceramic, and the support member 210 may take the form of a dial 210 or a bezel 210.

[0038] The object 220 may include a perimeter, at least one first surface 221, at least one second surface 222, and / or volume, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the at least one second surface 222 is more curved than the at least one first surface 221.

[0039] In the first step, the at least one support 210 is provided, including at least one receiving surface 211. Subsequently, an adhesion layer 120 is deposited on the at least one receiving surface 211. The adhesion layer 120 is formed by one or more layers using dry processes such as PVD, CVD, PECVD, or ALD. The layer is made of at least one material selected from Au, Cu, Ag, In, Pt, Pd, Ni, Ti, Ta, Cr, Th, or alloys of these materials. The layer is preferably in contact with the at least one receiving surface 211 to make the at least one receiving surface 211 conductive.

[0040] A delineation 530 is performed to determine the outline 229 of the object 220 on the deposited adhesion layer 120. The outline 229 corresponds to the perimeter of the object 220, the at least one first surface 221, the at least one second surface 222, and / or the volume. (As in...) Figures 1 to 4 Of all the objects 220 shown, visible are undercut portions 224. These undercut portions 224, which can be positive or negative, cannot be produced using current methods because the light source is directional and does not allow for the production of objects with undercut portions, more specifically, for example, objects with undercut portions on a watch dial.

[0041] The definition 530 of the contour 229 is necessary for forming a cavity 225 along the contour 229 and preferably along the centerline 223 of the object 220. Although the object 220 has a centerline perpendicular to the at least one receiving surface 211, in various embodiments the centerline 223 may be at an angle to the at least one receiving surface 211.

[0042] The chamber 225 is formed by depositing a plurality of polymer layers 130 on the attachment layer 120 using an additive manufacturing method, such that portions of the attachment layer 120 relative to the perimeter of the object 220, the at least one first surface 221, and / or the volume thereof are, preferably, free. In other words, the portions of the attachment layer 120 are not covered by the polymer layers 130.

[0043] The cavity 225 on the opposite, preferably free portion of the attachment layer 120 is filled by depositing at least one finishing layer 140, the finishing layer 140 comprising at least one material selected from these materials or alloys of these materials. These materials are chosen because they allow for the production of complex shapes by additive manufacturing.

[0044] To achieve optimal appearance, a surface treatment 560 may be performed on the deposited plurality of polymer layers 130 and the adhesion layer 120, for example, by pickling and / or stripping, to expose the at least one receiving surface 211 of the support 210 and provide a better visual appearance for the at least one receiving surface 211 of the support 210. In the case where the top surface is the at least one second surface 222, the latter—that is, the at least one second surface 222—will be covered by the polymer layers 130, and the surface treatment 560 will remove the plurality of polymer layers 130 present on the top surface without impairing the visual appearance of the at least one second surface 222.

[0045] Therefore, thanks to the present invention, objects with complex shapes such as circular outlines or curved surfaces can be created, and thus dials 210 and / or bezels 210 with novel and quite distinctive visual appearances can be created.

Claims

1. A deposition method (500) for forming an object (220) for a watch; said object (220) comprising a perimeter, at least one first surface (221), and / or volume; said deposition method (500) comprising the following steps: - Provide (510) at least one support member (210) including at least one receiving surface (211); - An adhesion layer (120) is deposited (520) on the at least one receiving surface (211), the adhesion layer being formed of one or more layers of a material made of at least one material selected from Au, Cu, Ag, In, Pt, Pd, Ni, Ti, Ta, Cr, Th or alloys thereof, so that the at least one receiving surface (211) is conductive. - Define (530) a contour (229) on the deposited adhesion layer (120); the contour (229) corresponds to the perimeter of the object (220), the at least one first surface (221) and / or the volume; - A chamber (540) is formed along the contour (229) by depositing a plurality of polymer layers (130) on the attachment layer (120) such that portions of the attachment layer (120) relative to the perimeter of the object (220), the at least one first surface (221) and / or the volumetric portion thereof are opposite to and not covered by the polymer layers (130); - The cavity (225) is filled (550) by depositing (520) at least one finishing layer (140) on the opposite portions of the attachment layer (120), the finishing layer (140) comprising at least one material selected from Au, Cu, Ag, In, Pt, Pd, Ni, Ti, Ta, Cr, Th or alloys thereof; and - The plurality of polymer layers (130) and the deposited adhesion layer (120) are surface treated (560) to expose at least one receiving surface (211) of the support (210). The deposition of the plurality of polymer layers (130) is achieved by additive manufacturing.

2. The deposition method (500) according to claim 1, wherein, The object (220) includes at least one second surface (222) that is more curved than the at least one first surface (221).

3. The deposition method (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The chamber (225) is formed along the centerline (223) of the object (220) and / or the contour (229) is formed along the centerline (223) of the object (220).

4. The deposition method (500) according to claim 3, wherein, The centerline (223) forms an angle with the at least one receiving surface (211).

5. The deposition method (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The object (220) forms an undercut (224) in the plurality of polymer layers (130) or the object (220) includes an undercut (224).

6. The deposition method (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one finishing layer (140) comprises at least one material selected from Au, Pt, Ag, Cr, Pd or alloys thereof.

7. The deposition method (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The surface treatment (560) is performed by pickling and / or stripping.

8. The deposition method (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The support member (210) is made of ceramic.

9. The deposition method (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The deposition (520) of the adhesion layer (120) is carried out in contact with the at least one receiving surface (211).

10. A watch comprising at least one support (210) and an object (220) produced by the deposition method (500) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The watch according to claim 10, wherein, The at least one support member (210) is a dial or bezel.

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