Electroplated Stone Crimping for Precise Gem Fixation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling precious or semi-precious stones on fixing supports face challenges with dimensional variations, particularly when using natural stones, and are not compatible with stones of higher precision like synthetic diamonds and rubies.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a substrate coated with an electrically conductive layer and a resin pattern, where the stone is positioned in a through-hole and secured with a metal layer deposited by galvanic means, allowing for adaptation to varying stone dimensions and precise fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional prong setting is used for natural stones, then the setting can accommodate dimensional variations of natural stones (close to 0.5 mm precision), but it cannot achieve the higher precision required for synthetic stones (close to 0.1 mm precision)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the dimensional parameters of the cavity to precisely match the synthetic stone dimensions (close to 0.1 mm precision), and adjusts the electroplating process parameters to achieve precise metal layer deposition that secures the stone with high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The electroplating process serves multiple functions: it creates the fixing support structure, provides precise dimensional adaptation to the stone, and ensures secure bonding - making the process universally applicable to different synthetic stone types requiring high precision
2Reliability
If electroplating is used to fix the stone, then the stone can be securely bonded to the fixing support, but the process complexity increases compared to traditional setting methods
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the electroplating process: the same process that creates the fixing support structure also provides the bonding mechanism, eliminating the need for separate fixation steps and reducing overall process complexity despite the advanced technology used
Solution Approach 2:
The electroplating process is self-service in that it automatically creates both the structural support and the bonding interface simultaneously through metal deposition, without requiring additional manual intervention or separate operations
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 precise adaptation to dimensional variations of stones, ensuring secure and integral fixation, suitable for both natural and synthetic stones, and facilitates crimping in jewelry and timepieces.
Implementation Method 1
Depositing, by galvanic means, a metallic layer on the electrically conductive layer to form the fixing support
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for assembling a stone (1) onto a fixing support (2), the stone (1) being cut to present a table (3), a crown (4), a girdle (5) and a culet (6), comprising the steps of: - providing a substrate (8) coated with a pattern comprising an electrically conductive layer (9) covered with a layer of resin (10), the pattern having an inner contour (11) delimiting a hole through (13) the coated substrate (8) and an outer contour (12) corresponding to the outer contour (12) of the desired fixing support (2); - removing the resin layer (10); - positioning, after the dissolution of the resin layer (10), the stone (1) in the through hole (13), the stone (1) resting on the electrically conductive layer (9);and - deposit, by galvanic means, a metallic layer (19) on the electrically conductive layer (9) to form the fixing support (2), so as to make the stone (1) bonded to the metallic layer (19).;