Watch Component Mounting with Independent Centering and Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fragile materials like ceramics and metals used in watch components are prone to breakage during machining due to concentrated stress, leading to poor concentricity and dimensional dispersion, and existing clamping systems fail to adapt to varying part geometries, resulting in deformation or breakage.
Innovation Solution
A mounting system with independent positioning and holding devices, controlled pneumatically or hydraulically, applies radial forces using rollers and rockers to center and secure watch components without over-constraining them, allowing for adaptive force adjustments during machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional chucks and face plates are used to hold and machine watch components, then the parts can be securely clamped, but the concentrated stress from the clamping force causes brittle materials like ceramics to fracture without plastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping system is divided into multiple independent clamping elements (fingers or jaws) that distribute the clamping force across different contact points on the workpiece. This segmentation prevents stress concentration at a single location, reducing the risk of fracture in brittle materials while maintaining secure holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping force is locally adjusted at each contact point between the clamping elements and the workpiece. By adapting the force distribution to the local geometry and material properties, the system ensures adequate holding without exceeding the stress limits of brittle materials at critical locations.
2Manufacturing precision
If position-controlled clamps are used to hold parts during machining, then the parts can be positioned accurately, but the fixed clamping force cannot adapt to geometric variations, causing deformation or breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping system transitions from static, fixed-position clamps to dynamic clamping elements that can adjust their position and applied force. The clamping elements are actuated to follow the contour of the workpiece and adapt to geometric variations, maintaining optimal contact and force distribution throughout the machining process.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping force parameters are dynamically adjusted based on the workpiece geometry and machining requirements. The system monitors and modifies the magnitude and distribution of clamping forces in real-time, allowing adaptation to different part geometries while maintaining positioning accuracy and preventing deformation.
3Measurement precision
If movable jaws are used to center and hold easily deformable workpieces, then the workpiece can be centered, but the identical force for centering and holding causes plastic deformation in fragile parts
Solution Approach 1:
The centering and holding forces are applied dynamically at different stages and with different magnitudes. During centering, lighter forces are used to position the workpiece accurately. Once centered, the holding forces are increased to secure the workpiece for machining, preventing deformation while maintaining centering accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of centering and holding are separated into distinct operational phases with independent force control. The centering elements and holding elements can apply forces independently, allowing precise centering without the harmful effect of simultaneous high holding forces that would cause plastic deformation in fragile parts.
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 system ensures precise centering and holding of watch components, preventing breakage and allowing for resistance testing, reducing waste and improving the robustness of mounting systems by adapting forces to the component's geometry and dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
controlled pneumatically or hydraulically, applies radial forces using rollers and rockers to center and secure watch components
Data Source
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AI summary
System (1) for mounting a watch component (9), in particular a watch component comprising a surface (91) of revolution and/or an axis (A9), the mounting system (1) comprising: - a positioning device (2), in particular a centering device, of the watch component (9) relative to an axis (A) of the system, and - a holding device (3) of the watch component (9), the positioning and holding devices being independent and/or distinct.