Gemstone Positioning Fixture for Charge Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gemstone engraving techniques using focused ion beams face issues with electrical charge buildup, leading to unpredictable results and require conductive coatings and adhesives, which complicate handling and alignment, increasing the risk of gemstone damage and misalignment.

Innovation Solution

A gemstone positioning fixture that securely holds gemstones without adhesives, allowing electrical charge dissipation to ground and achieving mechanical alignment, enabling precise positioning for nano-scale engraving and other processes using conductive materials and biasing members to manage the gemstones effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conductive coating and adhesive are used to hold gemstones, then electrical charge dissipation is achieved, but device complexity and handling risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical charge dissipationVSAvoidcoating and adhesive process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential function of charge dissipation from the complex process of coating and adhesive bonding, isolating it to a simple conductive fixture that contacts the gemstone table directly, eliminating unnecessary steps while maintaining electrical conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive fixture acts as an intermediary between the gemstone and ground, providing a direct electrical pathway for charge dissipation without requiring conductive coatings on the gemstone itself, thereby simplifying the overall system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conductive coating and adhesive are used, then charge dissipation is enabled, but handling time and breakage risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge dissipationVSAvoidhandling time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive fixture is prepared in advance with grounding capabilities, allowing gemstones to be placed directly onto it without requiring preliminary coating steps, thereby reducing handling time while maintaining charge dissipation functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fixture design allows gemstones to self-align and make contact with the conductive surface through their own weight and positioning, eliminating the need for manual alignment and adhesive application steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If adhesive is used to attach gemstones, then secure holding is achieved, but misalignment occurs requiring programming correction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding strengthVSAvoidgemstone alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of adhesives with a mechanical positioning system using the conductive fixture's physical structure to hold and align gemstones, providing both secure holding and precise alignment through mechanical means

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixture incorporates visual alignment aids such as colored indicators or markings that allow operators to quickly verify correct gemstone positioning, eliminating the need for programming corrections due to misalignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Reliability

If conductive coating is applied, then charge dissipation is achieved, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge dissipationVSAvoidprocess simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the charge dissipation function from the gemstone preparation process and relocates it to the fixture, eliminating the need for conductive coating application while maintaining the essential electrical conductivity for charge dissipation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The fixture ensures accurate and secure gemstone positioning for engraving and other processes, eliminating the need for conductive coatings and adhesives, reducing handling risks and misalignment, and improving the precision of nano-scale engraving.

Implementation Method 1

A biasing member is positioned beneath the apertures. The biasing member bears on a support plate with a top surface adapted to receive and support a gem

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Force

Implementation Method 2

The cover plate, and possibly others of the parts, are formed of materials that conduct electricity, so as to conduct any charged particles away from the gem working surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10040161B2Gemstone positioning fixture

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 GEMEX SYST

AI summary

A gemstone positioning fixture, including a base and a cover plate applied over the base. The cover plate has apertures, one for each gem to be worked on. At least one biasing member is positioned beneath the plate. The biasing member applies an upward force to the gems to contact the cover plate. The plate is formed of materials that conduct electricity, so as to conduct any charged particles away from the gem work surface.