Laser Ablation for Distinct Surface Finishes on Substrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods in watchmaking struggle to achieve different surface finishes for materials applied to substrates with cavities, as they often require uniform surface treatments, making it difficult to conceive components with distinct material surfaces having different conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a substrate with a free surface and cavities, where a protective layer is applied, followed by a filling material deposition exceeding the cavity depth, with excess material ablation using laser treatment to level the surface, allowing for different surface finishes on the substrate and filling material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a uniform surface treatment is applied to the entire surface (substrate and filling material), then the surface treatment process is simple, but different surface finishes on substrate and filling material cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface treatment process simplicityVSAvoidability to achieve different surface finishes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The surface is segmented into two distinct zones: the finished free surface of the substrate and the cavity area. By applying the protective layer selectively and removing it only from the cavity area, the method enables different surface treatments to be applied to different segments of the same component surface, achieving both simplicity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layer is applied locally to specific areas (the cavity and its surroundings) rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This local application allows the finished free surface to maintain its original surface state while the cavity area receives different surface treatments, enabling different surface finishes on different parts of the component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the substrate is processed before final finishing, then the filling material can be applied, but additional finishing steps are required to restore the substrate's finished surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidtime for additional finishing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer is applied in advance to the areas that require protection from subsequent processing steps. This preliminary protective action allows the filling material to be applied and processed without worrying about damaging the finished substrate surface, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-processing finishing steps to restore the substrate's surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layer acts as an intermediary element between the filling material application process and the finished substrate surface. It shields the finished surface from the abrasive and potentially damaging effects of filling material application and excess removal, allowing the process to proceed without compromising the substrate's surface integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the protective layer is removed early to access the finished surface, then the substrate can be finished, but the filling material application and excess removal become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to finished surfaceVSAvoiddamage to finished surface during filling material processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer is applied beforehand to cushion and protect the finished substrate surface from the harmful effects of filling material application and excess removal. This prior protective measure prevents direct contact between the filling material processing operations and the finished surface, eliminating the risk of damage while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Enables the creation of components with distinct surface finishes on the substrate and filling material without additional finishing steps, saving time and maintaining the substrate's finish, while allowing for precise control over the filling material's surface treatment.

Implementation Method 1

proceed to ablation of the excess filler material covering the portions of the protective layer located on the finished surface, perform an ablation of the portion of the layer of filling material located opposite the opening, by laser treatment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP2902177B1Method for applying a filling material to a substrate having a free surface in a finished state

Publication Date: 2019.03.13 MESTEL

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Figure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for applying a filler material (12) to a substrate (1) comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a substrate (1) having a free surface (4) in the finished state and at least one cavity, b) depositing a protective layer (8), c) depositing a layer of the filler material (12) forming an excess of filler material (12), d) ablating the excess on the finished surface (4), e) ablating the portion of the filler material layer (12) located opposite the opening (2) by laser treatment until its final surface (14) is located at the same level as the free surface (4) or at a lower level, and f) ablating the portions of the protective layer (8) located on the finished surface (4) to reveal the latter.