Device for simultaneously measuring force and distance, in particular for equipping a timekeeping component

Abstract

A combined device (100) for applying an axial force to a timepiece component and simultaneously measuring the axial distance between a reference and a surface (10) of the component, the combined device (100) comprising a support (1) supporting a measuring body (2) including a measuring means (3) for performing an axial measurement of the position of said surface (10), and a control means (6) operated by a user or an automated manipulator (7) for applying a characterized axial force to said surface (10), the characterized axial force being transmitted to a bearing measurement point (5) by a calibrated axial elastic return means (9). A method for using this device (100) in which a stack of flat specific elastic elements (90) is characterized by a combined force characteristic as a function of the applied axial travel, the axial travel being used to impart a rotation or axial travel to the control means (6), the rotation or axial travel corresponding to the applied specific axial force.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a device, in particular for equipping a timepiece component, for applying an axial force to the timepiece component and at the same time measuring the axial distance between a reference and a surface of said component, said device comprising a support for supporting at least one measuring body, said at least one measuring means configured to perform an axial measurement of the position of the surface of said timepiece component in the axial direction, said measuring means comprising a feeler spindle which is in contact with a bearing measurement point and which is aligned with said bearing measurement point in said axial direction.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method of using such a measuring device.

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of timepiece production, in particular to in-shop assembly and measurement. [Background technology]

[0004] During the step of setting jewels in the timepiece components, the strength of the setting of the jewels (maximum displacement of about 2 micrometers) must be guaranteed at a given force, to ensure that blanks from the same group are interchangeable.

[0005] This strength determination is generally based on the use of a feeler spindle that bears against the surface of the gem and a force generator that exerts a calibrated axial force on the gem, and is performed continuously using a distance sensor that is equipped with a force sensor before reusing the distance sensor, which verifies that the maximum subsidence of the gem into the timepiece component is within tolerances.

[0006] Another possibility to evaluate the strength of gemstone inlays is to use motorized force-distance measuring devices. This alternative is mainly used in laboratories and sometimes in production. However, this solution is more complex to implement, slower when measuring multiple positions and more expensive.

[0007] XP1551355A discloses a machine for pressing machine parts, comprising a gem pressing bench and a blank pressing bench configured to press a gem into a plate. The machine further comprises a gem feeler spindle and a plate feeler spindle configured to measure the relative position between the gem and the support before pre-stressing the support with the blank. The machine disclosed by XP1551355A thus combines the application of a force and the measurement of the displacement of the surface to which this force is applied. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] XP1551355A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In order to avoid the laborious measurement methods associated with any of the above mentioned solutions, the present invention proposes, by means of a simple principle, to combine the two measurement elements (force and distance) in a single assembly, thus eliminating the need for multiple handling operations on the timepiece components.

[0010] Therefore, determining the strength of a gemstone setting is less complicated and less expensive. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for simultaneous force and distance measuring for equipping a timepiece, as claimed in claim 1.

[0012] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of using such a measuring device as claimed in claim 21.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a device according to the invention, comprising a rigid frame with a mount for receiving a timer component, a cylindrical body and a support for supporting a measuring body, the measuring body integrating a distance measuring feeler spindle and comprising a control means, in this case formed by a grooved ring, which is operated by a user or, as in this case, by a drive roller included in an automated manipulator, configured to apply a characterized axial force to the surface of the component, which axial force is transmitted to the bearing measuring point by elastic return means, which follow a reproducible force / stroke characteristic and the control means impose a specific stroke on the elastic return means so as to obtain an axial force of a predetermined elastic modulus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic partial axial cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodiment of such a device, showing the control means formed by the outer ring to drive the inner ring, which in turn deforms the stack of elastic elements constituting this elastic return means applying an axial force. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of such a circular elastic element of a spiral arm. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of a measurement body of another alternative embodiment of such a device, in which the outer ring includes drivers, each of which is movable within a helical groove in the body. [Diagram 5] 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the measuring body of FIG. 4 in a rest position, in which a stack of elastic elements bears against the bank surface of the upper body. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but of the same measuring body without the outer ring. [Figure 7] A view of the same measuring body without the upper body, similar to figure 6. Figure 7 shows, from top to bottom, the feeler spindle, the bearing ring moved by the control means, the stack of elastic elements and the bearing measuring points. [Figure 8] 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7, but of the same measuring body without the bearing ring. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 7, showing an alternating stack of such elastic elements and intermediate rings. [Figure 11] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 8, with the upper resilient ring not shown and only the upper intermediate ring visible. [Figure 12] 1 is an example of a force / stroke characteristic curve for an elastic element or stack of elastic elements, where a known stroke value accurately determines a given axial force value. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic top view of a production station, which includes three devices according to the invention, a support adjustable in height by a crank or a motor, which serves as a circular pallet, which supports the timer components and is replaceable by a palletizer, one of the devices including a drive roller such as that shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a measurement body including two stages in series, the upper stage applying a larger force than the lower stage for fine adjustment. [Figure 15] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a platform for a device, the platform including a force sensor disposed beneath a component to digitally measure an axial force applied to the component. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 of a work-holding pallet including such a force sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The present invention relates to a device 100 for applying an axial force to a timepiece component and at the same time measuring the axial distance between a reference and a surface 10 of this component.

[0016] The invention, developed for controlling the fitting of timepieces, can be used for any precision operation requiring a force to be applied to a component and for maintaining or moving the axial position of this component, the axial position being verified during or after the application of this force.The invention is therefore targeted at many precision engineering applications, in particular the watchmaking industry.

[0017] The device 100 comprises a support 1, as stiff as possible, supporting at least one measuring body 2. The measuring body 2 comprises at least one measuring means 3, configured to carry out an axial measurement of the position of such a surface 10 of a timepiece component in an axial direction A relative to a reference surface, such as a platform, contained in the support 1. The measuring means 3 comprises a feeler spindle 4, which is in contact with a bearing measurement point 5 or, in the case of an inductive connection or the like, is close to the bearing measurement point 5 and is aligned with the bearing measurement point 5 in this axial direction A.

[0018] According to the invention, the device 100 is a combined device for applying a force and at the same time measuring the displacement of the surface to which this force is applied. For this purpose, the device 100 comprises at least one control means 6, arranged to be operated by a user or an automated manipulator 7, for applying a characterized axial force to the surface 10. The characterized axial force is transmitted to said bearing measuring point 5 by at least one calibrated axial elastic return means 9. The term "characterized axial force" is to be understood as meaning that all of the elastic return means 9 follow a reproducible force / stroke characteristic, so that each applied stroke always corresponds to the same force.

[0019] Advantageously, the configuration of the elastic return means 9 is modular and allows the use of a specific range of forces suited to the intended application. For example, during fitting of a watch component by pressing a jewel into a hole, an elastic return means 9 including a range from 0 to 40 N, more particularly from 2 N to 40 N, is selected in most cases for pressing a timepiece jewel. However, it is equally possible to select a limited range, for example including a range from 15 to 25 N. In each case, the travel imposed on the control means 6, which may be identified by a graduated scale, a notch, etc., guarantees the user that a force is applied which is read opposite to this travel on the characteristic curve.

[0020] The control means 6 is more particularly configured to drive the bearing ring 8 through a movement in the axial direction A and to modify the axial force, which is applied by the bearing ring 8 in the axial direction A to at least one axial elastic return means 9, which is configured to transmit an axial force proportional to the axial stroke of the bearing ring 8 to the bearing measurement point 5.

[0021] In the illustrated advantageous alternative embodiment, the control means 6 are configured to drive rotationally, for example in the form of a grooved ring, and comprise at least one driver 61, which follows an oblique or substantially helical groove 26 provided in the body 2 and is configured to drive at least translationally in the axial direction A the bearing ring 8. The bearing ring 8 comprises in the axial direction A a thread 82 or a tapping screw, respectively, which cooperates with a tapping screw 22 or a thread, respectively, contained in the body 2. Similarly, the control means 6 comprise a tapping screw 68 or a thread, respectively, which cooperates with a screw 28 or a tapping screw, respectively, contained in the body 2. In the illustrated non-limiting alternative embodiment, the control means 6 is a ring, which can be rotated into position to gradually apply the required force.

[0022] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, as shown in Figure 3, the axially elastic return means 9 comprises at least one elastic element 90, in particular substantially flat and comprising a peripheral edge 91 supporting at least one spiral arm 93, which in turn supports a central ring 92. More particularly, this elastic element 90 is made from spring steel, such as type XC80. The manufacture of such elastic elements 90 with the same planar shape makes it possible to make them interchangeable. The choice of different thicknesses makes it possible for the elastic elements 90 to have different stress characteristics. For example, for the same planar shape, a 0.1 mm thick element may correspond to a force of 5 N, a 0.2 mm thick element to a force of 7.5 N, a 0.3 mm thick element to a force of 12.5 N, a 0.4 mm thick element to a force of 15 N, a 0.5 mm thick element to a force of 17.5 N, a 0.6 mm thick element to a force of 20 N, etc. Each elastic element 90 is characterized by an applied axial force / stroke characteristic curve, making it easy to determine the characteristic curves of a stack of such elastic elements 90 with the same behavior. For example, the drawing shows the achievement of a maximum axial force of 40 N using three 0.5 mm thick elastic elements 90 and one 0.2 mm thick elastic element 90 with the same projected shape, thereby facilitating the manufacture of the elastic elements 90 at low production costs. Furthermore, the combination of different thicknesses also allows the elastic elements 90 to have different stress characteristics. For example, for a set of elastic elements formed by three 0.5 mm thick elements and one 0.2 mm thick element, an axial displacement of 1 mm of the set may correspond to a force of 12 N, an axial displacement of 1.5 mm may correspond to a force of 19 N, an axial displacement of 2 mm may correspond to a force of 26 N, an axial displacement of 2.5 mm may correspond to a force of 33 N, an axial displacement of 3 mm may correspond to a force of 40 N, etc.

[0023] FIG. 12 shows an example of a characteristic curve of the elastic return means 9 calibrated at 40 N, which curve appears to be approximately linear. This curve is exaggerated and distorted here in order to make the characteristic of the elastic element 90 according to FIG. 3 appear to be approximately linear within the range of use of the elastic element 90. However, it is clear that when it comes to the definition of individual axial stroke values ​​that guarantee known force values, what is important is the reproducibility of the elastic element 90, even if the characteristic curve is not linear. Moreover, the specific strokes, identified by markings, notches, etc., correspond to well-defined force values, i.e., angle 11° / force 10 N, angle 25° / force 20 N, angle 37° / force 30 N and angle 49° / force 40 N as in the present example. Needless to say, such elastic elements 90 are not necessarily flat, as is the case with Belleville or Schnorr washers with a conical shape. However, it should be noted that the forces applied here are much lower and the flat shape is much more advantageous since it ensures much better manufacturing repeatability than non-flat or conical spring washers. Furthermore, the deviation from a flat rest position is also much lower, about one tenth of a millimeter or 1 mm for a resilient element 90 having a 30 mm outer diameter and a 5 mm inner diameter used in the non-limiting device shown.

[0024] Thus, more particularly, the axially elastic return means 9 comprises a stack of a plurality of such elastic elements 90, each of the plurality of elastic elements 90 being calibrated for a particular nominal axial force, the resulting nominal axial force determining the maximum axial calibration of the device 100.

[0025] Advantageously, this stack is an alternating stack of elastic elements 90 and intermediate rings 95, configured to avoid contact between the arms 93 of adjacent elastic elements 90. In a specific, non-limiting manner, this stack further comprises a retaining ring 99 at the top, which cooperates with a groove 599 in the central shaft 59 to retain the assembly formed by the alternation of the elastic elements 90 with the intermediate rings 95 (the intermediate rings 95 are in particular made of brass). Towards the bottom, another retaining ring is housed inside another groove, which merely serves as a travel stop, and may, among other things, facilitate an assembly that does not impart stress to the assembly of elastic elements 90 and intermediate rings 95, since this assembly must be free at the bottom to allow the application of a bearing pressure.

[0026] In the illustrated configuration, the device 100 includes a plurality of such elastic elements 90, all of which are interchangeable, each of the plurality of elastic elements 90 being associated with a force-stroke characteristic curve, which is accessible to a user and / or stored in the management means, allowing determination of the stacking configuration as a function of the applied force resulting from the force-stroke characteristic curve, and the rotation or axial stroke applied to the control means 6 to obtain a given axial force. Thus, the user may be certain of the actual force applied to the surface 10.

[0027] Various configurations are possible. In one alternative embodiment, the axially elastic return means 9 comprises at least one elastic element 90, which can be deformed in the axial direction between a first rigid part bearing against at least one bank surface 21, 251 contained in the body 2 and a second rigid part subjected to a thrust action exerted by at least one thrust surface 81, 89 contained in the bearing ring 8. In another alternative embodiment, the axially elastic return means 9 comprises at least one elastic element 90, which can be deformed in the axial direction between a first rigid part bearing against at least one bank surface 21, 251 contained in said body 2 and a second rigid part integral with the bearing ring 8.

[0028] To more easily maintain and replace the elastic element, the body 2 is advantageously made from at least two parts assembled to one another: an upper part 20 adapted to cooperate with the control means 6 and to surround the feeler spindle 4, and a lower part 25 supporting the bearing measuring point 5. Pinning means 252, 51 allow easy disassembly of the various components.

[0029] The feeler spindle 4 cooperates with a rigid punch 59, which is housed inside a bearing block or bearing body 58 and presses the insert to be tested against the surface 10 via a preferably exchangeable bearing measuring point 5. When a force is applied, the displacement of the surface 10 is measured instantly. The feeler spindle is set without play on the test surface 10 and is therefore sufficient to set the zero point of the indication. A predefined force is then applied by rotation of the control means 6 according to a scale. This scale is not necessarily uniform but is obtained from the force / stroke characteristic of the elastic element 90 which in the current configuration forms the elastic return means 9 of the device 100.

[0030] More specifically, the at least one control means 6 comprises a notch and / or a bank which limits the travel.

[0031] In one particular embodiment, simply shown in FIG. 14, the device 100 comprises a stack of individual control means 6 in series, namely an upper control means 601 cooperating with an upper body 201 and an upper elastic return means 901, and a lower control means 602 cooperating with a lower body 202 and a lower elastic return means 902, each of the control means corresponding to a particular range of forces to be applied, applying a first axial force to the surface 10 in a first range of forces, and then applying at least a second axial force lower than the first axial force in a second range of forces lower than the first range of forces.

[0032] More specifically, the device 100 comprises, in particular in the upper body 20, an upper bank 29 which resets the stroke by bringing the elastic elements 90 into a non-deformed rest position, and more specifically, this upper bank 29 comprises at least one protective sealing gasket of an O-ring or similar type.

[0033] In the alternative embodiment of Figures 15 and 16, the support 1 of the device 100 includes at least one platform or pallet 79 for receiving at least one component, the platform or pallet 79 including a force sensor 101 disposed beneath the component to digitally measure the axial force applied to the component.

[0034] The invention relates to the field of precision of timepieces and therefore to the ability to measure fairly small deviations in the micrometer range. To this end, the device 100 must be as rigid as possible whilst retaining small external dimensions and mass and being capable of being moved by hand from one work station to another.

[0035] The device 100 comprises at least one single large guiding cylinder 16 as shown in FIG. 1 or several cylinders 18, 19 as shown in FIG. 13 guiding the support element 15, which supports the measuring body 2. The device 100 advantageously comprises manual adjustment means 17 and / or motor-driven adjustment means 170 for large adjustments to the approach to the device 100 during production changeovers or cam levers for quickly changing the height of the support 15. This cylinder 16 or these cylinders 18, 19 ensure the rigidity of the device 100 and the stability of the axial distance E between each support element 15 and the platform receiving the component to be handled during the combined action of force application and measurement. The device 100 is a multi-station device, as shown in FIG. 13, where one of the stations can be dedicated to extraction.

[0036] For mass production, the device 100 advantageously includes at least one pallet 79 for receiving the components, the at least one pallet 79 being configured to be mechanically handled, such as by a robot, a rotary or linear palletizer, or the like.

[0037] In case of use without an operator or in case of simultaneous management of several such devices 100 by the same operator, at least one device 100 comprises at least one automated manipulator 7, comprising rollers, belts, drive wheels etc., which control the rotational angular travel of at least one control means 6. This automated manipulator 7 is coupled to an observation means, which can stop the drive movement of the automated manipulator 7 when synchronizing the control means 6 and the markings comprised on the body 2.

[0038] The invention further relates to a method of using such a device 100, using the repeatable deformation of the elastic elements 90 to perform a force application operation that is accurate from the start and does not require a subsequent validation measurement, since the device 100 applies an axial force to the surface 10 while measuring the displacement of the surface 10 at the same time. According to the invention, a plurality of such calibrated elastic elements 90 is provided, the force characteristics of the elastic elements 90 are recorded as a function of the applied axial stroke, and a particular stack of such elastic elements 90 is characterized by a combined force characteristic obtained as a function of the applied axial stroke. This combined characteristic is further used to impart, in a single operating operation, a rotation or axial stroke to the control means 6, which corresponds to a particular stroke according to the combined characteristic, the particular stroke being related to the particular applied axial force.

[0039] More specifically, a force is applied to a surface 10 of a component and the displacement of the surface 10 is measured from the same side of the surface 10. This is in contrast to the prior art where a force is typically applied from above and then the displacement is measured from below.

[0040] More specifically, the device 100 is used to set jewels into timepiece components, with the insertion force and axial positional stability of the jewels being controlled relative to the timepiece components, which may in particular be, but are not limited to, blanks such as plates, bridges, frames, etc., or fixtures such as disks, rockers, intermediate wheels, etc.

[0041] More specifically, in contrast, the device 100 is used to extract, with a controlled extraction force, a friction jewel that has been pressed into a timepiece component.

[0042] In summary, to simplify the measurement of jewel setting strength, a simple and intuitive actuator has been devised to be added to the end of a feeler spindle (distance measurement) to generate the desired force, which is obtained from a set of spiral springs.

[0043] When the end of the distance measuring system's point touches the gemstone, - Zero points are scored, - the desired force is applied by rotation of the outer ring of the actuator or control means 6, At the same time, it is ascertained whether and how much the surface 10 of the gemstone has moved during the application of the axial force.

[0044] In summary, the present invention overcomes current difficulties due to the following advantages it obtains: - there is no need to handle the timepiece components multiple times to determine the strength of the jewel mountings; -Reduces uncertainty in distance measurement (gem movement), - Reduced variability in applied force; - Shorter measurement time, -Lower cost compared to current solutions -Easy and replaceable, - Improved measurement reliability, taking into account that everything is integrated in a single assembly and both the force application and the distance measurement are performed in the same axis.

[0045] Thus, the present invention is particularly useful in performing precision press-fits or precision engagements and controlling the quality of fit for the press-fit or engagement operation. The described device 100 is inexpensive and small and light enough to be transported according to production needs.

[0046] Handling is simplified since the force application and measurement steps are combined in a single operation.

Claims

1. A device (100) for applying an axial force to a timepiece component and simultaneously measuring the axial distance between a reference and a surface (10) of said timepiece component, said device (100) comprising a support (1) supporting at least one body (2) comprising at least one measuring means (3), said at least one measuring means (3) configured to perform an axial measurement of the position of the surface (10) of said timepiece component in an axial direction (A), said measuring means (3) comprising a feeler spindle (4) in contact with a bearing pressure measuring point (5) and aligned with said bearing pressure measuring point (5) in said axial direction (A).

1. A device (100) for measuring a pressure bearing measurement point (5) comprising at least one control means (6) configured to be operated by a user or an automated manipulator (7) to apply an axial force related to the displacement to the surface (10), the axial force being transmitted to the bearing measurement point (5) by at least one axial elastic return means (9) having a calibrated relationship between the force and the displacement.

2. 2. The device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means (6) are configured to drive the bearing ring (8) through a rotational movement in the axial direction (A) and to modify the axial force, the axial force being exerted by the bearing ring (8) in the axial direction (A) against the at least one axially elastic return means (9), the at least one axially elastic return means (9) being configured to transmit an axial force proportional to the axial stroke of the bearing ring (8) to the bearing measuring point (5).

3. 3. The device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the control means (6) are configured to be rotationally driven and comprise at least one driver (61) following an oblique or substantially helical groove (26) provided in the body (2) and configured to at least translate the bearing ring (8) in the axial direction (A).

4. 4. The device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the bearing ring (8) comprises, in the axial direction (A), a thread (82) or a tapping screw, respectively, which cooperates with a tapping screw (22) or a thread, respectively, contained in the body (2).

5. 4. The device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the control means (6) comprise a tapping screw (68) or a screw, respectively, which cooperates with a screw (28) or a tapping screw, respectively, contained in the body (2).

6. 3. The device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that said axially elastic return means (9) comprises at least one elastic element (90), said at least one elastic element (90) being substantially flat and comprising an outer peripheral edge (91) supporting at least one spiral arm (93), said at least one spiral arm (93) supporting a central ring (92).

7. 7. The device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the axially elastic return means (9) comprises a stack of a plurality of said elastic elements (90), each of said plurality of said elastic elements (90) being calibrated for a specific nominal axial force, said resulting nominal axial force determining the maximum axial calibration of said device (100).

8. 8. The device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the stack is an alternating stack of the elastic elements (90) and intermediate rings (95), the intermediate rings (95) being configured to avoid contact between the arms (93) of adjacent elastic elements (90).

9. The device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said elastic elements (90), all of said plurality of elastic elements (90) being exchangeable, each of said plurality of elastic elements (90) being associated with a force-stroke characteristic curve, said force-stroke characteristic curve being accessible to a user and / or being stored in a management means, and in that it is possible to determine a stacking configuration as a function of the applied force resulting from said force-stroke characteristic curve and the rotation or axial stroke applied to said control means (6) to obtain a given axial force.

10. 4. The device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the axially elastic return means (9) comprises at least one elastic element (90) which can be deformed in the axial direction between a first rigid part bearing against at least one bank surface (21, 251) contained in the body (2) and a second rigid part subjected to a thrust action exerted by at least one thrust surface (81, 89) contained in the bearing ring (8).

11. 4. The device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the axially elastic return means (9) comprises at least one elastic element (90) which can be deformed in the axial direction between a first rigid part bearing against at least one bank surface (21, 251) contained in the body (2) and a second rigid part which is integral with the bearing ring (8).

12. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the body (2) is made from at least two parts assembled to one another, namely an upper part (20) adapted to cooperate with the control means (6) and to surround the feeler spindle (4), and a lower part (25) supporting the bearing pressure measuring point (5).

13. A device (100) as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one of the control means (6) includes a notch and / or a bank limiting the axial stroke.

14. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a stack of a plurality of the control means (6) arranged in series, each of the control means (6) constituting the stack corresponds to a specific range of applied forces and applies a first axial force to the surface (10) at a first range of forces and then applies at least a second axial force less than the first axial force at a second range of forces less than the first range of forces.

15. The device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises an upper bank (29) for resetting the axial stroke.

16. The device (100) of claim 15, characterized in that the upper bank (29) includes at least one protective sealing gasket.

17. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support (1) of the device (100) comprises at least one platform or pallet (79) for receiving at least one of the timer components, the platform or pallet (79) comprising a force sensor (101) arranged under the timer component so as to digitally measure the axial force applied to the timer component.

18. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a number of cylindrical bodies (18, 19) guiding support elements for the body and manual adjustment means (17) and / or motor-driven adjustment means (170) for making large-scale adjustments to the device (100) during production changeovers, the cylindrical bodies ensuring the rigidity of the device (100) and the stability of the axial distance between each of the support elements and a platform receiving the timepiece component to be handled during the combined actions of force application and measurement.

19. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (100) comprises at least one pallet (79) for receiving the timer components, the at least one pallet (79) being configured to be mechanically handled.

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

21. 9. A method of using the device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that a plurality of said elastic elements (90) with calibrated force characteristics are provided, said force characteristics of said elastic elements (90) being recorded as a function of the applied axial stroke, a particular stack of said elastic elements (90) being characterized by a combined force characteristic obtained as a function of the applied axial stroke, said combined force characteristic being used to impart a rotation or an axial stroke to said control means (6), said rotation or axial stroke corresponding to a particular stroke related to a particular applied axial force according to said combined force characteristic.

22. 22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that a force is applied to a surface (10) of a timepiece component and the displacement of said surface (10) is measured from the same side of said surface (10).

23. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the device is used to set a jewel into the timepiece component, and the insertion force and axial positional stability of the jewel relative to the timepiece component are controlled.

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

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