Timepiece Component Surface Treatment via Laser Remelting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Timepiece manufacturing faces challenges in producing components with complex shapes and aesthetic appeal while meeting mechanical functionality, large-scale production compatibility, and using difficult-to-obtain alloy compositions, particularly due to surface defects like pores and striations from powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing techniques.

Innovation Solution

A surface treatment process involving superficial remelting, such as laser surface melting, is applied to improve the surface finish of metal- and cermet-based components, reducing porosity and defects while maintaining the component's density and allowing for the use of diverse materials and complex geometries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If powder metallurgy or additive manufacturing methods are used to manufacture timepiece components, then complex shapes and diverse material compositions can be achieved, but surface defects such as pores and striations appear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplex shapeVSAvoidsurface finish

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies laser surface remelting to change the physical state of the surface layer from solid to liquid and back to solid, eliminating surface defects like pores and striations while preserving the complex geometry and material composition achieved through additive manufacturing or powder metallurgy methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical surface finishing methods with laser-based surface remelting, using optical energy to melt and resolidify the surface layer, thereby eliminating surface defects without compromising the component's complex shape or material properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional metallurgy methods are used, then surface finish can be maintained, but complex shapes and difficult-to-obtain alloy compositions cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface finishVSAvoidmaterial composition flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses laser surface remelting to transform the surface layer's physical state, enabling the use of diverse alloy compositions and complex geometries that would be impossible with traditional metallurgy, while still achieving high surface quality through controlled melting and solidification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the use of difficult-to-obtain alloy compositions and composite materials in additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy, with laser surface remelting providing the necessary surface finish quality that would otherwise require traditional metallurgy methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional casting techniques are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but alloy compositions are difficult to obtain and surface defects appear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidsurface finish

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional casting with additive manufacturing or powder metallurgy followed by laser surface remelting, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving superior surface finish and enabling diverse alloy compositions that were previously difficult to obtain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Strength

If precious metals with high density are used, then mechanical strength is improved, but component weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidcomponent weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies laser surface remelting only to the surface zone of the component, creating a dense, high-strength surface layer while allowing the core to maintain a porous structure with reduced weight, thus achieving high mechanical strength without the full weight penalty of traditional precious metal components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 process effectively eliminates surface defects, enhances the aesthetic appearance, and makes components compatible with traditional finishing processes, enabling lighter and more aesthetically pleasing timepiece components with improved manufacturing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

improving the surface finish of the component by superficial remelting on a surface zone of the component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

step of improving the surface finish of the component by superficial remelting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS20210178479A1Timepiece component

Publication Date: 2021.06.17 ROLEX SA

AI summary

A surface treatment process for manufacturing a metal- and/or cermet-based timepiece component from a component having irregularities, such as pores and/or precipitates and/or striations, obtained by a powder metallurgy or additive manufacturing method, which process includes a step of improving the surface finish of the component by superficial remelting on a surface zone of the component.