Bevelled Stone Pressing and Sintering for Shock-Absorbing Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current machining methods are complex and inefficient for producing a single stone with an at least partially flared peripheral wall capable of forming both guiding elements and shock-absorbing settings in horological movements, which complicates the arrangement of elements and reduces shock resistance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving producing a precursor from powder material with a binder, pressing using top and bottom dies with a protruding rib to form a green body, sintering to create a stone with a peripheral groove, and machining to create a flared peripheral face, allowing for the stone to be inserted into a bearing-block for shock absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional machining methods are used to create a flared peripheral wall on a single stone, then the stone can form both guiding elements and shock-absorbing settings, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flared peripheral wall is formed during the pressing operation itself by shaping the green body in the die cavity, rather than attempting to machine it afterward. This preliminary formation of the complex geometry avoids the need for complex subsequent machining operations, resolving the contradiction between versatility and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the forming of the green body and the creation of the flared peripheral wall into a single pressing operation. By merging these operations, the process achieves both the versatile functionality of the stone and manufacturing efficiency, eliminating the need for separate complex machining steps
2Reliability
If multiple elements are arranged separately in the bearing-block, then each element can be optimized for its function, but the arrangement becomes complicated and shock resistance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the guiding element and shock-absorbing setting into a single integrated stone component. This consolidation simplifies the bearing-block arrangement by eliminating the need for separate settings and multiple elements, while simultaneously improving shock resistance through the unified structure that can absorb radial and axial shocks more effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The single stone is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides guiding surfaces for pivot rotation while simultaneously serving as a shock-absorbing setting through its flared peripheral wall. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving both functional optimization and simplified arrangement in one component
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables the efficient and damage-free manufacturing of a bevelled stone with a flared peripheral face, enhancing shock resistance by simplifying the arrangement of elements and improving the absorption of lateral shocks in horological movements.
Implementation Method 1
sintering the green body so as to form a body of the future stone
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for manufacturing a bevelled stone, particularly for a timepiece are disclosed. A precursor is produced from a mixture of at least one material in powder form with a binder. The method includes pressing the precursor so as to form a green body, using a top die and a bottom die comprising a protruding rib, sintering the green body so as to form a body of the future stone in at least one material, the body including a peripheral face and a bottom face provided with a groove, and machining the body including a substep of planning the peripheral face up to the groove, such that an inner wall of the groove forms at least a flared part of the peripheral face of the stone.