Watch Crystal Bevel Machining via Inverted Grinding Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for forming watch crystal bevels are slow, result in material chips, and require subsequent brushing, leading to inefficiencies and high discard rates.
Innovation Solution
A system for machining a bevel on a disk-shaped part using a grinding device with abrasive means, a securing device that orients the part's axis of rotation to define the bevel angle, and a mechanism to move the support closer to the abrasive means under stress, eliminating the need for brushing by maintaining contact with a resilient elastomer block and allowing for quick beveling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a grinding wheel moves tangentially at the bevel angle against the edge of the part to be cut, then the bevel can be formed, but the process is slow and causes chips
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the grinding wheel tangentially against the part edge, the invention inverts the approach by moving the part itself along the bevel angle towards a stationary abrasive means. This reversal of the traditional grinding motion enables faster material removal while maintaining bevel quality and reducing chip formation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the motion parameters from tangential grinding to linear movement along the bevel angle. By altering the direction and nature of the relative motion between abrasive and part, the system achieves higher productivity while maintaining manufacturing precision
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional grinding is used to form bevels, then beveling can be performed, but subsequent brushing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the grinding process self-sufficient by using a specifically designed abrasive means and motion mechanism that produces the desired bevel geometry directly, eliminating the need for subsequent brushing operations. The process serves its own purpose without requiring additional finishing steps
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional grinding methods are used, then bevels can be formed, but material stress causes excessive discard
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the stress parameters by altering the motion dynamics from high-speed tangential grinding to controlled linear movement along the bevel angle. This parameter change reduces excessive material stress and prevents discarding, while maintaining bevel 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 system significantly reduces manufacturing time and discard rates by enabling faster beveling without excessive material stress and eliminating the need for brushing, improving machining efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a grinding device (3) comprising abrasive means (4)
Implementation Method 2
underneath the area of contact between the abrasive strip and the part, the grinding device includes a resilient means for maintaining the contact between the abrasive strip and the part
Data Source
AI summary
A system for machining a bevel on a disk shaped part including a grinding device having an abrasive, a device for securing the part including a support to which the part is fitted and which is integral with an axis of rotation. The securing device further includes a system for orienting the axis of rotation to define the angle of the bevel and a system for moving the support closer to the abrasive in order to machining the part under stress. The invention concerns the field of crystals for timepieces.