Multi-Precious Metal Part Sintering for Localized Composition Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing components with precious metals fail to produce parts with localized variations in composition and are not suitable for producing monolithic components with distinct precious metals without mixing or melting.

Innovation Solution

A process involving separate atomization of different precious metals into powders, followed by sintering without mixing, using spark plasma sintering to create a monolithic part with localized variations in composition and mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If traditional sintering processes are used to manufacture precious metal alloys, then the powders can be homogenized and mixed, but the components cannot produce local compositions that differ from one another

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehomogeneity of metal powdersVSAvoidlocal composition variation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The component is divided into multiple zones with different precious metal compositions. Each zone is formed by placing separate powder beds of different compositions into the mold, allowing local variation in composition while maintaining overall structural integrity through the sintering process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the component are assigned different precious metal compositions to achieve specific local properties. The mold is designed with separate compartments or layers that allow placement of different powders in specific locations, enabling localized quality variations without mixing the materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If welding or brazing processes are used to assemble precious metals, then components can be joined, but material is added at interfaces and mixing occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint strengthVSAvoidmaterial addition at interfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple precious metal powders are placed in direct contact within the mold and sintered together as a single monolithic component. This merging process eliminates the need for separate welding or brazing operations, joining materials without adding intermediate materials or causing mixing, as the powders are positioned to form distinct interfaces within the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If spark plasma sintering is used to sinter precious metal powders, then monolithic parts can be produced with localized compositions, but the process requires precise control of sintering conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonolithic part productionVSAvoidsintering condition control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is prepared in advance with separate powder beds of different precious metals positioned in the desired locations before sintering. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the local composition requirements are met from the start, and the sintering process simply needs to apply controlled heat and pressure to bond the pre-positioned materials without requiring complex real-time adjustments.

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

Produces monolithic components with distinct precious metals, achieving aesthetic and mechanical properties through localized distribution without additional steps, enhancing resistance and production simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

The various precious or noble metals can be distinguished from one another in the resulting watch component. The present description also covers a watch component made of several distinct precious metals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpark plasma sintering: Spark Plasma Sintering

Implementation Method 2

which are individually atomized into separate powders before being jointly involved in a sintering operation, in particular SPS (spark plasma sintering) also known as flash sintering

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlash sintering: Spark Plasma Sintering

Implementation Method 3

which are individually atomized into separate powders before being jointly involved in a sintering operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtomization: Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS20250360558A1Method for manufacturing a part based on multiple precious metals, and resulting part

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 DE LA MFG DHORLOGERIE AUDEMARS PIGUET & CIE

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a mechanical part based on at least two precious or noble metals or alloys thereof, the process comprising a step of atomizing the various precious metals, positioning the resulting powders in a mold so as to form an assembly of unmixed powders, and a step of sintering at temperatures below the melting temperatures of the metals used. The invention also covers a mechanical part produced by such a process, as well as a timepiece comprising such a mechanical part.