Setting support and set timepiece or jewellery item

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an assembly support (5), such as a support for a setting or driving-in operation, arranged to support a piece of jewellery or a timepiece (10) to be assembled comprising at least one assembly portion (11), the manufacturing method comprising the steps of: - forming at least one first sacrificial support (1) built up from a plate (99) by additive manufacturing; - forming a force-absorbing element (3) built up from the at least one first sacrificial support (1) by additive manufacturing; - forming at least one second sacrificial support (2) arranged to support the assembly portion (11), the second sacrificial support being built up from the force-absorbing element by additive manufacturing; and - removing the at least one first sacrificial support (1).

Description

DESCRIPTION Title of the invention: SETTING SUPPORT AND SET JEWELRY OR WATCHMAKING ARTICLE

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of jewelry and watchmaking, more particularly to the field of the manufacture of supports, tools and jewelry and watchmaking articles, such as for example bracelets, necklaces, rings or watch cases, in particular manufactured by additive manufacturing.

[0002] Assembly supports and jewelry or watchmaking articles are known in the prior art.

[0003] However, it is desirable to improve their manufacturing and use, to enable easier and less expensive use, particularly when they are manufactured by additive manufacturing.

[0004] The present invention thus aims to propose a new construction of assembly support and jewelry or watchmaking articles.

[0005] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing an assembly support, such as a setting or chasing support, arranged to support a piece of jewelry or watchmaking to be assembled comprising at least one assembly portion, the manufacturing method comprising the steps of: - form by additive manufacturing, from a plate, at least one first sacrificial support, - form by additive manufacturing, from at least one first sacrificial support, a force-recovery element, - forming by additive manufacturing, from the force-recovery element, at least one second sacrificial support arranged to support the assembly portion, - remove at least one first sacrificial support.

[0006] This makes it possible to provide an assembly support that is easy to manufacture and facilitates the manufacturing steps of the jewelry or watch item that it is intended to support. In particular, this new manufacturing process greatly facilitates the application of wax or cement in order to set the jewelry or watch item, due to the absence of at least one first sacrificial support.

[0007] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a piece of jewelry or timepiece, comprising the following steps: - manufacture the assembly support according to the previous aspect, - form by additive manufacturing, from the plate, from the force-recovery element and / or from at least one second sacrificial support, the piece of jewelry or watchmaking.

[0008] This makes it possible to offer a piece (or an article) of jewelry or watchmaking that is easy to manufacture and facilitates the subsequent manufacturing stages of the jewelry or watchmaking article. In particular, this new manufacturing process greatly facilitates the application of wax or cement in order to set the jewelry or watchmaking article, due to the absence of at least one first sacrificial support.

[0009] The invention may also be defined according to the following characteristics, taken individually or in combination.

[0010] Advantageously, the step of removing the at least one first sacrificial support is carried out after the additive manufacturing of the piece of jewelry or watchmaking or before setting or assembly of the piece of jewelry or watchmaking.

[0011] This makes it easier to apply wax or cement to complete the assembly or setting.

[0012] Advantageously, the method comprises a step consisting of: - fill, with wax or cement, a space between the at least one second sacrificial support and the piece of jewelry or watchmaking, or a space between the force-recovery element and the piece of jewelry or watchmaking.

[0013] This allows the piece of jewelry or watchmaking to be secured to the wax or cement and the second sacrificial support or the force-recovering element. The securing (or gripping) takes place in particular at the level of the assembly portion of the piece of jewelry or watchmaking.

[0014] Advantageously, the method comprises a step consisting of: - setting at least one decorative element, such as a precious stone, on the piece of jewelry or timepiece, or assembling at least one element on the piece of jewelry or timepiece, preferably after the step of filling with wax or cement.

[0015] Advantageously, the method comprises a step consisting of: - remove the stress recovery element after setting or assembling the piece of jewelry or watchmaking.

[0016] Advantageously, the method comprises a step consisting of: - remove the wax or cement, preferably by dissolving in alcohol or solvent.

[0017] Advantageously, the method comprises a step consisting of: - remove at least one second sacrificial support.

[0018] Advantageously, the method comprises a step consisting of: - linking by additive manufacturing the at least one second sacrificial support to at least one articulated element of the piece of jewelry or watchmaking.

[0019] This makes it possible to connect the at least one second sacrificial support to at least one articulated element of the piece of jewelry or watchmaking. The articulated element is an example of an assembly portion. The articulated elements are manufactured, for example, by additive manufacturing and can be released from each other by a (small) movement or force applied to them after their additive manufacturing, in order to break the links between them. Thus, once released from each other, as well as released from the second sacrificial supports, they are articulated together and can each move, within the limits of their links. These links can be, for example, interlacings, that is to say that the articulated elements are interlaced.

[0020] Advantageously, the method comprises a step consisting of: - linking the force-recovery element by additive manufacturing to at least one articulated element of the jewelry or watchmaking piece, or to the assembly portion.

[0021] Therefore, in other words, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a piece of jewelry comprising at least one portion to be set or deformed, the method comprising the following steps: - printing in three dimensions: i. primary sacrificial supports from a printing plate, and ii. secondary sacrificial supports comprising a support cradle, from the printing plate and / or from the primary sacrificial supports, iii. the jewelry item from the secondary sacrificial supports, - remove primary sacrificial supports, - inject a setting wax or cement from or between the secondary sacrificial supports.

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, of embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 represents an assembly support and an article of jewelry or timepiece according to the present invention, as well as an additive manufacturing tray, in elevation and sectional view, Figure 2 represents the assembly support and the article of jewelry or timepiece according to the present invention, in perspective, Figure 3 represents the assembly support and the article of jewelry or timepiece according to the present invention, in bottom view, Figure 4 represents a cutaway view of the article of jewelry or timepiece according to the present invention as well as a partial view of the assembly support according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 1 shows an assembly support 5 and a piece of jewelry or watchmaking 10 (or a piece of jewelry or watchmaking 10) according to the present invention, as well as an additive manufacturing tray 99, in elevation view.

[0024] Additive manufacturing is preferably carried out vertically, from the bottom to the top, i.e. from the additive manufacturing tray 99 to the top of FIG. 1.

[0025] The jewelry or watchmaking article 10 is shown supported by the assembly support 5 during a manufacturing step. At this step, the assembly support 5 comprises one or more first sacrificial supports 1 connecting the additive manufacturing plate 99 (or three-dimensional printing plate 99 or simply plate) to at least one force-recovery element 3 that it comprises and at least one second sacrificial support 2. The force-recovery element 3 is (then) connected to assembly portions 11 of the jewelry or watchmaking article 10 by means of of one or more second sacrificial supports 2. The assembly portions 11 are for example elements articulated together forming an envelope of the jewelry or watchmaking article 10, as shown in figure 1. The articulated elements can then be decorated with precious stones for example, this setting requiring a recovery of force in order to be able to fold a part of the assembly portions 11 onto the precious stones. It can also be any other decoration, such as for example chasing an element (functional or decorative) onto an assembly portion 11, hammering or chiseling of the assembly portions 11.

[0026] Preferably, each articulated element is set with a precious stone.

[0027] In one embodiment, the second sacrificial supports 2 are connected to one or more assembly portions 11. In one embodiment, each second sacrificial support 2 is connected to an assembly portion 11.

[0028] In one embodiment, the assembly portions 11 may be links of an envelope, links of a bracelet, a necklace, a ring or a watch case.

[0029] In one embodiment, it is possible to provide additional sacrificial supports 4 in order to directly connect the additive manufacturing tray 99 to the jewelry or watchmaking article 10, in particular when the additional sacrificial supports 4 are adjacent to the first sacrificial supports 1, or are located on the periphery of the jewelry or watchmaking article 10.

[0030] The invention thus relates to a method of manufacturing the assembly support 5, such as a setting or chasing support, arranged to support the piece of jewelry or watchmaking 10 to be assembled comprising at least one assembly portion 11, the manufacturing method comprising the steps consisting of: - forming by additive manufacturing, from the plate 99, the at least one first sacrificial support 1, - forming by additive manufacturing, from the at least one first sacrificial support 1, the force-recovery element 3, - forming by additive manufacturing, from the force-recovery element 3, the at least one second sacrificial support 2 arranged to support the assembly portion 11, - remove at least one first sacrificial support 1.

[0031] Thus, it is possible to manufacture the assembly support adapted to take up assembly forces, such as for example crimping, chasing, assembly of parts, hammering or chiseling forces, without being limited to these examples.

[0032] The manufacturing process of the piece of jewelry or watchmaking also includes the following steps: - manufacture the assembly support as indicated previously, - forming by additive manufacturing, from the additive manufacturing plate 99, from the force-recovery element 3 and / or from the at least one second sacrificial support 2, the piece of jewelry or watchmaking 10.

[0033] Note that the first sacrificial supports 1, the second sacrificial supports 2 and the force-recovery element 3 are preferably made of the same material, such as for example precious metals such as silver, gold, platinum, palladium and their alloys. The jewelry or watchmaking article 10 (or its structure, i.e. excluding precious stones) is preferably made of the same material as the first sacrificial supports 1, the second sacrificial supports 2 and the force-recovery element 3, for example in the materials listed above. It is furthermore possible to provide the manufacturing support 99 in steel.

[0034] Figure 2 shows the assembly support 5 and the jewelry or watchmaking article 10 according to the present invention, in perspective.

[0035] In Figure 2, the first sacrificial supports 1 have been removed or removed. This step can be performed with wire cutters or cutting tweezers.

[0036] Thus, the step of removing the first sacrificial support(s) 1 is preferably carried out after the additive manufacturing of the jewelry or timepiece 10 or before setting or assembling the jewelry or timepiece 10.

[0037] It is possible to: - filling, with a wax or a cement, a space between the second sacrificial support(s) 2 and the piece of jewelry or watchmaking 10, or a space between the force-recovery element 3 and the piece of jewelry or watchmaking 10.

[0038] This makes it possible to drown or cover the second sacrificial supports 2 and to secure them with the assembly portion(s) 11, in order to stiffen the assembly for crimping or assembly, or any other decoration step indicated previously.

[0039] The manufacturing process thus includes the step of: - setting at least one decorative element on the piece of jewelry or watch or assembling at least one element (functional or decorative) on the piece of jewelry or watch, preferably after the step of filling with wax or cement.

[0040] Figure 3 shows the assembly support 5 and the jewelry or watchmaking article 10 according to the present invention, seen from below.

[0041] It is possible to provide direct access to the jewelry or watch item 10 from the lower side, i.e. the element of force recovery 3 does not hide the entire item of jewelry or watchmaking 10, seen from below.

[0042] Figure 4 represents a cutaway view of the jewelry or watchmaking article 10 according to the present invention as well as a partial view of the assembly support 5 according to the present invention.

[0043] The manufacturing method preferably comprises the step of: - remove at least one second sacrificial support 2.

[0044] Thus, the second sacrificial support(s) 2 are removed in Figure 4.

[0045] It is possible to remove the wax or cement, preferably by dissolving it in alcohol (or any other suitable solvent). This makes it possible to release the set or assembled jewelry or watch item 10 (or having undergone any other decoration as indicated above), in order to move on to the finishing steps of the jewelry or watch item 10, such as for example polishing or releasing the elements articulated together, if applicable.

[0046] The manufacturing method preferably comprises the step of: - remove the force recovery element 3 after having set or assembled the piece of jewelry or watchmaking 10.

[0047] In the same way, this allows us to move on to the finishing stages of the jewelry or watchmaking item 10.

[0048] Figure 4 shows one or more pillars (or ladders) 6 which can serve as additional supports for the force-recovery element 3, in order to better distribute the forces for example.

[0049] Figure 4 also shows recesses in the stress-recovery element 3 in order to facilitate the passage or flow of the wax or cement, and to allow its adhesion as close as possible to the assembly portion 11.

[0050] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description.

[0051] The first sacrificial support 1 can also be called the lost base or the main base and the second sacrificial support 2 can also be called the secondary base.

[0052] Note that it is possible to remove or detach the (additive manufacturing) tray 99 at the end of additive manufacturing.

[0053] Note that it is possible to remove the second sacrificial supports 2 before crimping in order to facilitate the wax setting, if necessary.

[0054] Finally, note that it is possible to combine the methods of implementation as much as possible or necessary.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method for manufacturing an assembly support (5), such as a crimping or chasing support, arranged to support a piece of jewelry or watchmaking (10) to be assembled comprising at least one assembly portion (11), the manufacturing method comprising the steps of: - forming by additive manufacturing, from a plate (99), at least one first sacrificial support (1), - forming by additive manufacturing, from at least one first sacrificial support (1), a force-recovery element (3), - forming by additive manufacturing, from the force-recovery element, at least one second sacrificial support (2) arranged to support the assembly portion (11), - remove at least one first sacrificial support (1).

2. Method for manufacturing a piece of jewelry or timepiece (10), comprising the following steps: - manufacturing the assembly support (5) according to the preceding claim, - forming by additive manufacturing, from the plate (99), from the force-recovery element (3) and / or from the at least one second sacrificial support (2), the piece of jewelry or watchmaking (10).

3. Manufacturing method according to the preceding claim, in which the step of removing the at least one first sacrificial support (1) is carried out after the additive manufacturing of the piece of jewelry or watchmaking (10) or before setting or assembly of the piece of jewelry or watchmaking (10).

4. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 2 to 3, comprising the step consisting of: - filling, with a wax or a cement, a space between the at least one second sacrificial support (2) and the piece of jewelry or watchmaking (10), or a space between the force-recovery element (3) and the piece of jewelry or watchmaking (10).

5. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 2 to 4, comprising the step of: - setting at least one decorative element, such as a precious stone, on the piece of jewelry or timepiece (10) or assembling at least one element on the piece of jewelry or timepiece (10), preferably after the step of filling with wax or cement.

6. Manufacturing method according to the preceding claim, comprising the step of: - remove the force recovery element (3) after having set or assembled the piece of jewelry or watchmaking (10).

7. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 4 to 6, comprising the step of: - remove the wax or cement, preferably by dissolving in alcohol or solvent.

8. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 2 to 7, comprising the step of: - remove at least one second sacrificial support (2).

9. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 2 to 8, comprising the step of: - linking by additive manufacturing the at least one second sacrificial support (2) to at least one articulated element (11) of the piece of jewelry or watchmaking (10).

10. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 2 to 9, comprising the step of: - linking by additive manufacturing the force-recovery element (3) to at least one articulated element (11) of the piece of jewelry or watchmaking (10). 1 1. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 2 to 10, comprising the step of: - forming by additive manufacturing, from the plate (99), a portion of the piece of jewelry or watchmaking (10) adjacent to the at least one first sacrificial support (1).

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