3D Ceramic Trim Decoration With Engraved Enamel Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decoration methods for watch parts and jewelry face issues with maintaining manufacturing tolerances and material limitations due to the mask not being in close contact with the substrate, leading to potential damage and restricted material choices.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional decoration method involving a base layer of enamel deposition, firing, engraving, and tribofinishing to ensure mask adherence and integrity, allowing for precise decorative elements without damaging the substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a masking coating is applied to define decorative element contours, then the shape and position of decorative elements can be controlled, but the mask may not be in close contact with the substrate surface leading to manufacturing tolerance violations
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate surface is prepared in advance by creating micro-roughness or anchor points through mechanical or chemical treatment before applying the masking coating. This preliminary action ensures the mask adheres properly and maintains close contact with the substrate throughout the decoration process, preventing position deviations and manufacturing tolerance violations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the masking coating is used to contain filler material, then decorative elements can be formed with precise contours, but the mask may be damaged during filler application or removal may damage the substrate and decorations
Solution Approach 1:
The masking coating is formulated with specific material parameters including enhanced mechanical strength, appropriate viscosity, and controlled removal characteristics. The coating is designed to withstand the stress of filler material application while maintaining its structural integrity, and can be removed cleanly without damaging the substrate or finished decorations through controlled chemical or thermal processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional decoration methods are used, then decorative elements can be created on the substrate, but material choices are restricted to avoid damaging the mask or substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The masking coating serves as an intermediary layer that is specifically engineered to be compatible with a wide range of filler materials including metals, ceramics, and polymers. This mediator layer protects the substrate during the decoration process while allowing various materials to be deposited, and can be selectively removed without damaging either the substrate or the deposited decorative elements, thereby expanding material selection flexibility.
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
Ensures compliance with manufacturing tolerances and maintains substrate and decoration integrity, providing flexibility in material choices and precise decorative elements.
Implementation Method 1
a step of depositing at least one base layer (12) of enamel on a coating surface (110) of a substrate (11)
Implementation Method 2
a step of baking the substrate (11) covered with the base layer (12)
Implementation Method 3
a step of tribofinishing the substrate (11) and the base and decorative layers so as to remove all of the base layer (12)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1f
AI summary
The invention relates to a three-dimensional decoration method for a substrate (11) in order to produce a covering piece (10) comprising the steps of: - depositing at least one base layer (12) of enamel on a covering surface (110) of a substrate (11) made of ceramic; - firing the substrate (11) covered with the base layer (12); - engraving the base layer (12) according to a predefined decorative pattern so as to generate one or more blind cavities (120) extending between a background formed by the substrate (11) and an opening formed by the base layer (12); - deposition of a decorative layer (13) of ceramic material and/or metallic material on the base layer (12) and the cavities (120) so as to fill said cavities (120) in order to form decorative elements (130), the material of the decorative layer (13) being chosen so that its melting temperature is lower than the glass transition temperature of the material constituting the base layer (12);- surfacing of the decorative layer (13) so as to remove all of said layer deposited on the base layer (12); - tribofinishing of the substrate (11) and of the base (12) and decorative (13) layers so as to remove all of the base layer (12).