Murano Glass Watch Case Bubble-Free Consolidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The standard method for producing Murano glass Murrine often results in air bubbles, making the material fragile during machining and leading to significant material losses.
Innovation Solution
An optimized heat treatment method involving five successive temperature cycles is implemented to consolidate the glass rods, reducing or eliminating air bubble formation and enhancing the material's solidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If standard heat treatment method is used to consolidate glass rods, then the glass rods are joined together, but air bubbles form making the material fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by implementing a specific five-cycle heat treatment process with controlled temperature ranges and durations. The cycles include heating to 450-650°C, holding, cooling to 200-350°C, holding, and repeating the pattern, which transforms the physical state of glass rods to eliminate air bubbles while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through the five successive heat treatment cycles. Each cycle consists of heating, holding, cooling, and holding phases that repeat in a structured sequence. This periodic thermal processing allows gradual consolidation of glass rods while systematically removing air bubbles, preventing material fragility.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard machining method is used on Murano glass, then the glass can be shaped, but significant material losses occur due to air bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the five-cycle heat treatment process before machining operations. This pre-treatment consolidates the glass rods and eliminates air bubbles in advance, ensuring the material is ready for machining without fragility issues, thereby reducing material loss during the subsequent shaping process.
3Ease of manufacture
If air bubbles are present in the glass structure, then the material is easier to form initially, but the final product has reduced durability and water resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes through controlled thermal cycles to transform the glass structure from an air bubble-containing state to a dense, bubble-free state. The specific temperature ranges (450-650°C heating, 200-350°C cooling) and holding times modify the physical properties of glass, achieving both ease of formation and enhanced durability simultaneously.
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 method significantly reduces porosity in the Murano glass blanks, allowing for more complex machining shapes and improved durability, while also preventing moisture infiltration and enhancing water resistance in the final product.
Implementation Method 1
a heat treatment step in order to form a consolidated blank
Implementation Method 2
This cycle consists in heating the material... the furnace is initiated to perform the temperature increase to a temperature comprised between 450 and 650° C.
Implementation Method 3
This cycle consists in heating the material... with a heating rate comprised between 4 and 12° C./min
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing an exterior part for a timepiece or piece of jewelry made of Murano glass is disclosed. The method comprises providing a material formed of glass rods (2), also referred to as glass tubes, arranged side by side; applying a multi-cycle heat treatment to consolidate the material and form a blank; and machining the blank to produce the exterior part. The heat treatment may comprise a first cycle (a) consisting of heating the material from a temperature less than or equal to 100° C. to a temperature between 450 and 650° C. at a heating rate between 4 and 12° C./min in order to avoid the formation of air bubbles during the manufacturing of the blank. Also disclosed is an exterior part for a timepiece or piece of jewelry, in particular a watch case, having a structure with few or no air bubbles.