Additive Dial Manufacturing with Printed Particle Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for manufacturing timepiece dials with three-dimensional elements are complex and costly due to the high number of operations and specialized tooling required, leading to increased production costs and manpower needs.

Innovation Solution

A method using a control unit and printing device to generate control commands for constructing dials with three-dimensional elements by superimposing printed particle layers on a support element, with the option for continuous or discontinuous application and treatment using various inks and radiation for fixation, allowing for simplified and automated production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional methods are used to manufacture dials with three-dimensional elements, then decorative elements and indexes can be produced, but the production process becomes complex and costly due to multiple operations and specialized tooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple manufacturing operations (stamping, smoothing, pumicing, polishing, and three-dimensional element application) into a single additive printing process. The printing device directly deposits particles layer by layer to create both the dial blank and three-dimensional elements in one continuous operation, eliminating the need for separate tooling and operations for each step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The additive printing device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it creates the dial blank, forms three-dimensional elements, applies decorative patterns, and achieves final surface finish all through one process. This multi-functional approach replaces the specialized tooling required by conventional methods, allowing a single device to accomplish what previously required multiple specialized machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If conventional manufacturing methods are used, then dials can be produced, but production costs increase due to qualified manpower and specialized tooling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces manual mechanical operations (stamping, smoothing, pumicing, polishing) with an automated additive printing system controlled by computer software. The printing device uses controlled particle deposition and thermal or photonic processing to achieve the desired dial structure and surface finish, eliminating the need for skilled manual labor and specialized mechanical tooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If multiple operations are used to create three-dimensional elements on dials, then decorative elements can be applied, but the number of operations and tooling types increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidloss of time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The additive printing process performs preliminary actions by creating the complete dial structure including three-dimensional elements in a single continuous operation. The device deposits particles layer by layer, building up the dial blank and raised elements simultaneously, so that no subsequent operations are needed to add or attach separate three-dimensional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reduces the complexity and cost of producing dials with three-dimensional elements by minimizing operations and enabling fast, automated, and cost-effective manufacturing, resulting in a single-piece dial with improved mechanical stability and aesthetic features.

Implementation Method 1

constructing, by means of a particle jet from the printing device, at least two superimposed layers comprising printed particles on a support element forming said dial

Methodology Applied

Scientific Effect3D Printing: 3D Printing

Implementation Method 2

the treatment phases comprise a sub-phase of fixing said layer onto the dial blank or onto the support element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal treatment: Heating

Implementation Method 3

exposing the layer to an airflow, in particular a hot airflow and/or to light radiation, in particular ultraviolet radiation or infrared radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation fixation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20200338809A1Method for manufacturing a dial comprising at least one three-dimensional element

Publication Date: 2020.10.29 ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a dial (11) comprising at least one three-dimensional element (30), the method comprising the following steps of:generating (44), by means of a control unit (2), at least one control command for a printing device (3) for reproducing a reference digital graphical representation (9a) relating to said dial (11) provided with at least one three-dimensional element (30), andconstructing (45), by means of the printing device (3), at least two superimposed layers comprising printed particles on a support element forming said dial (11), andremoving (52) the dial (11) from said support element.