CH711938A1 - Process for manufacturing parts for watchmaking - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing watch parts having a rod-shaped portion (12 '), comprising the following steps: providing a plate (10), providing rod-shaped elements (12); ), placing one of said rod-shaped members (12) on a receiving face (10a) of said plate (10) at the desired location, maintaining the relative position between said rod-shaped member (12) and said plate (10), and attaching said rod-shaped member (12) to said receiving face (10a) by transparency welding by a first laser beam (14a) passing through said plate (10) and / or said rod-shaped element (12).

Description

Description TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to the field of manufacture of timepieces. In particular, the present invention relates to the manufacture of parts for the field of watchmaking having a rod-shaped portion, often referred to as a barrel or foot.

Thus, without limitation, the present invention relates in particular to the manufacture of a wall, an index, a bridge or a dial with one or more feet, but also a box, a needle, a pendulum or a wheel with a barrel, and a box with horns ...

In particular, the present invention relates to the manufacture of parts or blanks of parts (intermediate parts) having a flat main portion of which extend one or more portions in the form of rod, forming a barrel or foot.

State of the art [0004] Such parts have a rod-shaped portion of reduced size, and in particular of small diameter: the diameter is commonly less than one millimeter, or less than 0.2 millimeter. In view of these reduced dimensions and the high dimensional accuracy required, the manufacturing methods available and meeting the requirements are reduced.

Most of the time, such parts are derived from a metal alloy plate which is deformed by stamping or creep, to form by deformation of the plate said rod-shaped portion. Such stamping also makes it possible to cut the plate and thus delimit the contour of the final part or the intermediate part still called blank. However, such a technique does not always achieve the desired dimensional accuracy, nor a finish with a sufficiently neat visual appearance for certain timepiece standards.

[0006] JP 2015 064 320 A discloses an index fixing method on a dial in which an index has two feet that are inserted into holes in the dial. A fastener is then placed between the two feet on the other side of the dial and welded to both feet by a laser beam. This process requires the implementation of a large number of operations, including drilling, then the precise assembly and attachment of several elements on the dial.

The document CN 202 837 827 U relates to a method of fixing decorative elements, such as metal rings, having feet on an area of the dial having holes in which are inserted the feet which are then laser welded to dial. In this case also, it is necessary to perform several operations (including the drilling of the dial, before the positioning and then the welding of the feet) so that this fixing process requires significant time for its implementation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] An object of the present invention is to propose a method of manufacturing a timepiece with a rod-shaped portion free from the limitations of known methods.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a timepiece with a rod-shaped portion, which is improved, especially at a rate of implementation, in the quality and in the precision of realization of the connection zone between the rod-shaped portion and the rest of the piece.

Also, the present invention seeks to provide a method of manufacturing a rod-shaped timepiece in which obtaining this rod-shaped timepiece requires a reduced number of operations.

According to the invention, these objects are attained in particular by means of a method of manufacturing parts for the watch industry having a rod-shaped portion, comprising the following steps: - supply of a plate, - supply of rod-shaped elements, - placing one of said rod-shaped members on a receiving face of said plate at the desired location, - maintaining the relative position between said rod-shaped member, and said plate, and - fixing said rod-shaped element on said receiving face by at least a first laser beam, this fixing step being performed by transparency welding in that the first laser beam passes through said plate and / or said element in the form of a rod, whereby, after solidification of the material, a welded connection is obtained between the said rod-shaped element and the said plate by creating a rod-shaped portion projecting from said plate.

This solution has the advantage over the prior art of being able to equip a timepiece or a blank intended to form a timepiece, having a generally flat geometry, a portion in the form of stem in a fast and accurate way.

It is understood that this manufacturing method according to the invention is implemented without adding material to achieve the welding, so that the welding step is simplified, and that, moreover, it retains the appearance and the physical and mechanical properties of the material of both the plate and the rod-shaped element.

Furthermore, this manufacturing process can be implemented regardless of the material constituting the plate on the one hand and whatever the material of the rod-shaped element on the other hand, these two materials being able to be identical or different. By way of example, the material constituting the plate but also the material constituting the rod-shaped element is a metallic material, in particular belonging to the following list: brass with or without lead, nickel silver, tombac or a mixture of these materials.

Preferably, the rod-shaped portion is the foot of an index finger, the foot of a wall, the barrel of a needle, the foot of a bridge, the foot of a dial or the horn of a box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0016] Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

Fig. 1A illustrates in side view the transparent laser-welding fixing step according to the invention for a needle barrel according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 1B is a side view of FIG. 1A according to the direction IB of FIG. 1A,

Fig. 1C is a top view of FIG. 1A, according to the direction IC of FIG. 1A,

Fig. 1D is an enlargement of the detail ID of the figurel A,

Figs. 2A to 2D are views similar to FIGS. 1A to 1D, for a second embodiment of the method of manufacturing a needle with a gun, with an aiming of the angular laser,

Figs. 3A to 3D are views similar to FIGS. 1A to 1D, for a third embodiment of the method of manufacturing a needle with a barrel, with a laser sight on the opposite side,

Figs. 4A to 4D are views similar to FIGS. 1A to 1D, for a fourth embodiment of the method of manufacturing a needle with a barrel, with an aiming of the angular laser and the opposite,

Figs. 5A to 5D are views similar to FIGS. 1A to 1D, for a fifth embodiment of the method of manufacturing a needle with a barrel, with two lasers in opposition,

Figs. 6A to 6D are views similar to FIGS. 2A to 2D, for a sixth embodiment of the method of manufacturing a needle with a gun, with two angles of angular lasers and in opposition,

Figs. 7A to 7D are views similar to FIGS. 1A to 1D, for the first embodiment of the manufacturing method according to the invention alternatively applied to the manufacture of an index foot, applique or dial.

Figs. 8A to 8D are views similar to FIGS. 2A to 2D, illustrating the second embodiment of the manufacturing method applied alternatively to the manufacture of an index, applique or dial foot,

Figs. 9A to 9D are views similar to FIGS. 3A to 3D, illustrating the third embodiment of the manufacturing method applied alternatively to the manufacture of an index, applique or dial foot,

Figs. 10A to 10D are views similar to FIGS. 4A to 4D, for the fourth embodiment of the manufacturing process applied alternatively to the manufacture of an index, applique or dial foot,

Figs. 11A to 11D are views similar to FIGS. 5A to 5D, for the fifth embodiment of the manufacturing method applied alternatively to the manufacture of an index, applique or dial foot,

Figs. 12A to 12D are views similar to FIGS. 6A to 6D, for the sixth embodiment of the manufacturing method applied alternatively to the manufacture of an index foot, applique or dial.

Example (s) of embodiment of the invention [0017] In FIGS. 1A to 12D are illustrated several embodiments of the manufacturing method according to the invention.

For this purpose, rod-shaped elements 12 or 22 are arranged on the receiving face 10a (the upper face in FIG 1A) of a plate 10. These rod-shaped elements 12 or 22 are placed in the desired location of the plate 10, in the running direction A of this plate 10. This plate 10 preferably forms a controlled strip which advances through pins (or pilots) not shown which fit into holes 10c disposed in line along the longitudinal edges of the plate 10 (see Fig. 1C).

To permanently fix each of these rod-shaped elements 12 or 22 on the plate 10 and thus form a rod-shaped portion 12 'or 22' forming an integral part of a part, the invention is used according to the invention. step of laser welding by transparency. Thus, it is understood that a laser beam passes through the plate 10 and / or at least a portion of material of the rod-shaped element 12 or 22 to focus in a zone of material close to the junction between the element rod form 12 or 22 and the plate 10 and allow to make a welded connection between these two parts.

In figs. 1A to 6D are illustrated several embodiments of the manufacturing method according to the invention used in particular for obtaining a needle with its barrel, namely the rod for mounting the needle in a mechanical watch, for example on the barrel wheel if it is the hour hand.

In this case, the rod-shaped element 12 has a head 12b wider than the rest of the rod-shaped element 12. This head 12b forms an enlarged portion of the rod-shaped element 12 Also, in this case, the plate 10 has a through hole 10b at the desired location for the future rod-shaped portion 12 '. The head 12b plus is wider than said hole 10b, and during the laying step, the rod-shaped element 12 is introduced into the hole 10b by its end opposite to the head 12b from the top of the plate 10, whereby by the effect of gravity the head 12b rests against the receiving face 10a of the plate 10 as seen in FIG. 1D for example. It is again the effect of the gravity, as well as the spatial limits of the hole 10b, that allow the maintenance in the right position between the rod-shaped element 12 and the plate 10 during the welding fixation step. transparency.

It should be noted that during the step of laying between the rod-shaped element 12 and the plate 10, a contact is made between a connecting face 12a of the end of the rod-shaped element. 12 and the receiving face 10a of the plate 10. More precisely, as seen in FIG. 1D for example, there is in the case of the rod-shaped element 12 with a head 12b, a contact between a surface of the receiving face 10a of the plate which surrounds the hole 10b and the connecting face 12a of the rod-shaped element 12, which connecting face 12a is a portion of the face of the head 12b facing the rest of the rod-shaped element 12 (the underside of the head 12b, facing downwards on the Fig. 1A, 1B and 1D).

In a variant not shown, we can consider a geometric configuration where the top and bottom of Figs. 1A, 1B and 1D is reversed. In this case, the rod-shaped element 12 is introduced into the receiving hole 10b from below, the head 12b from below, and a support (not shown) is arranged under the rod-shaped element 12, against the head 12b, by maintaining the rod-shaped element 12 bearing against the underside of the plate 10, constituting the receiving face 10a, as long as the welding attachment operation is not completed.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 6D, the step of laser welding by transparency can be carried out according to several possible configurations.

According to a first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1D, a first laser 14 is disposed facing the receiving face 10a of the plate 10 (facing the upper face in Fig. 1A). This first laser beam 14a is directed in a direction parallel to the normal direction N to said plate 10. This arrangement has the advantage of being simple and precise.

In all cases, this first laser beam 14a is focused on the connecting end 12a of the rod-shaped portion 12 and / or on the receiving face 10a, that is to say at the junction two parts or contact area between the two parts (the plate 10 and the rod-shaped portion 12).

This first laser beam 14a transparently crosses the material of the plate 10 and melts the material located at the connecting end 12a or connecting face of the rod-shaped portion 12. During this welding step also part of the material forming the receiving face 10a of the plate 10 melts.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1D, the first laser beam 14a is focused at the point F1, at a point of the contact zone between the receiving face 10a of the plate 10 which surrounds the hole 10b and the connecting face 12a of the rod-shaped element 12.

The first laser beam 14a can act point-to-point or continuously.

In all the embodiments, by the action of this first laser beam 14a, a thin liquid melt is obtained at the junction between the rod-shaped portion 12 and the plate 10, which are kept in contact with each other. against each other during the entire welding step.

Indeed, a laser welding is carried out by transparency between metals, so that a thin melt is generated by the laser beam passing through the first piece (the plate 10) to the second piece (the portion shaped rod 12). It is by the re-solidification of this melt located at the junction between the two parts 10 and 12, during the cooling following the stop of the laser beam 14a, that the two parts become bonded. This gives a solid bond resulting from the rapid cooling of this thin liquid melt at the junction between the two parts 10 and 12. The result is a rod-shaped portion 12 'secured to the plate 10 and extending the material of the plate 10.

According to the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the first laser 14 is arranged facing the receiving face 10a (opposite the upper face in FIG 1). As it appears in particular in FIG. 2A, the first laser beam 14a is directed this time in an inclined direction forming an angle a1, preferably between 5 and 45 °, relative to the normal direction N to said plate 10. This arrangement has the particular advantage of being able to place the laser source in a zone not directly placed facing the rod-shaped element 12 during welding, and thus be able to put other equipment in the extension of the main direction of the rod-shaped element 12 during welding. Again, the first beam 14a passes through the head 12b to the focusing point F1 located at the interface between the head 12b and the receiving face 10a of the plate 10.

According to the third embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the first laser 14 is disposed facing the face of the plate which is opposite to the receiving face 10a (facing the lower face in FIG 1). This first laser beam 14a is directed in a direction parallel to the normal direction N to said plate 10. This arrangement has the advantage of being simple and precise. According to a first configuration (on the right of FIG 3D), the first laser beam 14a through the main portion of the rod-shaped element 12, near its periphery, to focus at the point F1 located on the face 12a and in the vicinity of the receiving face 10a of the plate 10. According to a second configuration (on the left of FIG 3D), the first laser beam 14a 'is outside the main portion of the element rod form 12 and passes through the plate 10, to focus at the point FV located at the interface of the connecting face 12a and the receiving face 10a of the plate 10.

According to the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the first laser 14 is disposed facing the face of the plate which is opposite to the receiving face 10a (opposite the lower face in FIG 1). In this case, as it appears in particular in FIGS. 4A and 4D, the first laser beam 14a is directed in an inclined direction forming an angle a1, preferably between 5 and 45 °, relative to the normal direction N to said plate 10.

The laser welding is based on the absorption of radiation by a material, then an intense and localized heating leading to the superficial melting of the two parts brought into contact. Thus, the transparent weld allows in this case to achieve the metal microsoudure.

With a suitable energy density and the fineness of the laser beam, the targeted areas melt and are quickly welded by cooling. This results in a solid weld on a small surface. The advantages of this technique include making a connection between the rod-shaped portion 12 and the plate 10 without adding metal, to generate little or no deformation, to have a high speed welding, a welded connection having excellent fineness, and great strength and with a reproducibility of the weld. In addition, the laser welding transparency can weld both high melting temperature or high thermal conductivity metal as non-weldable metals by conventional techniques.

Typically, for a rod-shaped portion 12 forming a needle barrel, said needle to be subsequently formed in a portion of the plate 10, rod-shaped elements having a diameter of between 0.20 and 3.00 are used. mm and a length of between 0.20 and 3.00 mm approximately.

The first laser source 14 may emit a continuous or discontinuous beam (pulsed laser) and has a mean power adapted to the materials and dimensions of the parts in the presence. This first laser source 14 emits a beam, striking and passing through one of the two parts, with a wavelength and a diameter that are also adapted to the configuration of the two parts to be fixed.

Preferably, the material of the rod-shaped element 12 is transparent to the wavelength of the first laser beam 14a. For this purpose, preferably, the material of the rod-shaped element 12 belongs to the following list: brass with or without lead, nickel silver, tombac or a mixture of these materials.

Preferably, the material of the plate 10 is absorbent at the wavelength of the first laser beam 14a: in this case, the plate 10 is made of an absorbent material with respect to the wavelength of the first beam laser 14a, so that the light is converted into heat by optical absorption and thus heating in the material of the plate 10. For this purpose, preferably, the material of the plate 10 belongs to the following list: brass with or without lead , nickel silver, tombac or a mixture of these materials.

According to the fifth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5D, a first laser 14 is used with a first laser beam 14a arranged as for the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1D, and also a second laser 16 with a second laser beam 16a arranged as the first laser 14 of the third embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D.

In this case, during the fixing step, using a first laser beam performing a transparency welding through the head 12b at the location of the interface between said rod-shaped portion 12 and said plate 10 at the focusing point F1, and also a second laser beam 16a also performing a transparency bonding, through said rod-shaped portion 12 at the interface location between said rod-shaped portion 12 and said plate 10 , at the focal point F2.

The use of the second laser beam 16a further increases the efficiency and in particular the speed of realization of the welded connection between the rod-shaped portion 12 and the plate 10.

In this fifth embodiment, the first laser beam 14a and the second laser beam 16a are oriented parallel to the normal direction N of the plate 10, and are therefore orthogonal to this plate 10. Preferably, the first laser beam 14a and the second laser beam 16a are not aligned with each other when they operate simultaneously as shown in Figs. 5A to 5D, so that their respective focus points are different, F1 and F2 being differentiated.

In the sixth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6D, two laser beams 14a and 16b are also used simultaneously. In this case, the difference with the fifth embodiment lies in the orientation of these two laser beams 14a and 16b, which is inclined. Thus, the first laser beam 14a, which is disposed facing the receiving face 10a, is directed in an inclined direction forming an angle a1, preferably between 5 and 45 °, relative to the normal direction N to the plate 10, while the second laser beam 16a, which is disposed opposite the face opposite to the receiving face 10a, is directed in an inclined direction forming an angle a2, preferably between 5 and 45 °, relative to in the normal direction N to the plate 10. The angle values a1 and a1 may be identical or different. As seen in fig. 6D, the focusing point F1 of the first laser beam 14a and the focusing point F2 of the second laser beam 16a coincide. A non-illustrated variant embodiment of the sixth embodiment uses different focusing points F1 and F2.

In a seventh non-illustrated embodiment, the two laser beams 14a and 16a, situated on either side of the plate 10, are also used, one of them being oriented orthogonally to the plate 10 (FIG. parallel to the normal direction N) and the other being oriented inclined with respect to the normal direction N to the plate 10.

In these embodiments as previously described, the first laser beam 14a (and the possible second laser beam 16a) passes through the material of the plate and / or the material of the head 12b, and melt the material located at the connecting end 12a of the rod-shaped portion 12 and also a portion of the material forming the receiving face 10a of the plate 10.

[0048] Preferably, the material of the rod-shaped portion 12 is transparent to the wavelength of the second laser beam 16a. For this purpose, preferably, the material of the plate 10 belongs to the following list: brass with or without lead, nickel silver, tombac or a mixture of these materials.

The average power of the laser source emitting the second laser beam 16a, the diameter of the second laser beam 16a and the wavelength of the second laser beam 16a have characteristics and / or values identical to those of the first laser beam 14a. used simultaneously or similar to those described above in relation to the first laser beam 14a.

In the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh embodiments as previously described and applied to the manufacture of a needle barrel from a rod-shaped element 12 with a head , the zone welded with the plate 10 forms an annular band around the receiving hole 10b.

According to another step (not shown) of the manufacturing method according to the invention, wherein, after the fixing step, the cutting of said plate 10 to form a blank of the part, said blank comprising said rod-shaped portion 12. As an example, such a blank intended to form one of the following watch components: applique, index, dial, needle, bridge or box.

Said cutting step is preferably performed by laser cutting.

In FIGS. 7A to 12D are illustrated several embodiments of the manufacturing method according to the invention for obtaining an index equipped with his foot: here the rod-shaped portion 22 '(and the rod-shaped element 22) is generally longer and narrower than the rod-shaped portion 12 '(and the rod-shaped member 12) used for the barrel of a needle. Typically, for a rod-shaped portion 22 'forming an index or dial foot, rod-shaped elements 22 having a diameter of between 0.10 and 1.70 mm in general and a length between 0.30 and 3.00 mm in general.

Here, the rod-shaped element 22 is not inserted into a hole in the plate 10, but simply placed on the plate 10 with its connecting face 22a (lower end in FIGS. 7D) in contact with the receiving face 10a of the plate (upper face in Figs 7A, 7B and 7D). In this case, preferably, the step of maintaining the relative position between said rod-shaped element 22 and said plate 10 is achieved by means of a holding system, which will be described later.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A to 12D relating to an alternative embodiment of the first to the sixth embodiment, in which the rod-shaped element 22 is not inserted and retained in a hole for receiving the plate, but rests with its connecting face 22a. on the receiving face 10a. It is thus clear that the presence and the angular disposition of the laser or lasers previously described in relation with FIGS. 1A to 6D will be identical for each embodiment and its variant for the manufacture of index or dial.

In this case, to supplement or supplement the gravity, a holding system (not shown) keeps the right position of the rod-shaped element 22 relative to the plate 10, during (and preferably until at the end of) the welding attachment step described hereinafter. For example, without limitation, it can be used as a holding system, a clamp or any other gripping member, or glue.

According to a preferred solution, the holding system is formed of a nozzle (not shown) constituting a hollow end at the end of a movable arm. The nozzle is capable of housing a rod-shaped element 22, which can be retained inside the nozzle during its transport to the desired position of the plate 10 by a suction air stream (depression) in the nozzle. This movable arm is able by its movement to bring the nozzle, and therefore the rod-shaped element 22 that it contains, to the desired location of the plate 10. Then during the final fixing step which will be described below, is advantageously used a compressed air flow (overpressure) in the nozzle: this compressed air allows to press the rod-shaped element 22 against the receiving face 10a (the upper face on FIG 7 A) of the plate 10. This support makes it possible to ensure the optimal contact between the facing surfaces, on the one hand of the connecting face of the rod-shaped element 22 and on the other hand part of the receiving face 10a of the plate 10, which will be fixed to one another.

In the variant of the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the first laser beam 14a arrives at the rear end of the rod-shaped member 22 (at the top of Figs 7A, 7B and 7D) and transparently passes through the entire height of the shaped member. rod 22 to the focal point F1 located on the connecting face 22a of the rod-shaped element 22, allowing the melting of the material at the interface with the receiving face 10a of the plate 10.

In the variant of the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8D, the first laser beam 14a is inclined (angle a1 preferably between 5 and 45 ° relative to the normal direction N to the plate 10) and touches the rod-shaped element 22 near its connecting face 22a to the focal point F1 located on the connecting face 22a of the rod-shaped element 22, allowing the fusion of the material at the interface with the receiving face 10a and the plate 10.

In the variant of the third embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9D, the first laser beam 14a arrives on the face of the plate opposite the receiving face 10a, orthogonal to the plate 10, passes through the plate 10 to the focal point F1 located on the connecting face 22a of the rod-shaped element, allowing the melting of the material at the interface with the receiving face 10a of the plate 10.

In the variant of the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10D, the first laser beam 14a arrives on the face of the plate opposite the receiving face 10a, inclined with respect to the plate 10 (angle α1), passes through the plate 10 to the focal point F1 situated on the connecting face 22a of the rod-shaped element, allowing the material to melt at the interface with the receiving face 10a of the plate 10.

In the variant of the fifth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11D, the first laser beam 14a arrives at the rear end of the rod-shaped element 22 (at the top of Figs 11A, 11B and 11D) and transparently passes through the entire height of the element in the form of rod 22 to the focal point F1 located on the connecting face 22a of the rod-shaped element 22, allowing the melting of the material at the interface with the receiving face 10a of the plate 10. in addition, a second laser beam 16a arrives on the face of the plate opposite to the receiving face 10a, orthogonal to the plate 10, passes through the plate 10 to the focal point F2 located on the connecting face 22a of the rod-shaped element, also allowing the melting of the material at the interface with the receiving face 10a of the plate 10. In the configuration shown, the focal points F1 and F2 are merged but they could be at different locations.

In the variant of the sixth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12A to 12D, the first inclined laser beam 14a (angle od preferably between 5 and 45 ° relative to the normal direction N to the plate 10) touches the rod-shaped element 22 near its connecting face 22a, from the side of the plate 10 carrying the receiving face, to the focal point F1 located on the connecting face 22a of the rod-shaped element 22, while the second laser beam 16a inclined (angle ot2 between 5 and 45 ° relative to the normal direction N to the plate 10) touches the plate 10 by its face opposite to the receiving face 10a passes through the plate 10 to the focal point F2 located on the connecting face 22a of the element in the form of a rod, also permitting the melting of the material at the interface with the receiving face 10a of the plate 10. In the configuration shown, the focal points F1 and F2 are different but they could be at different locations.

Also, as seen in Figs. 7A to 12D, the rod-shaped members 22 and the corresponding rod-shaped portions 22 'are arranged in pairs and can be used for the same piece, such as a wall or dial, which will be cut from the plate After the fixing of the rod-shaped portion (s) 22.

The plate of material 10 is advantageously constituted by a strip of material moving past the source of the first laser beam 14a (and in front of the possible source of the second laser beam 16a): thus, it is possible to carry out continuously in the plate 10, the manufacture of a series of parts or blanks: first of all by connecting and fixing one or more rod-shaped elements 12, 22 at the location of the first laser source ( optionally completed on the other side of the plate 10 by a second laser source 16) to form one (or more) portion (s) rod-shaped 12 '; 22 'projecting from said plate 10, - then, after advancing the plate 10 in the direction of arrow A and stopping in a new offset position, by cutting the plate (operation not shown) with cutting means that can be formed of another laser beam, at a location thus offset in a longitudinal direction with respect to the location of the first laser source 14.

Thus, during the cutting operation of a first part, it is possible in parallel to perform the mounting and fixing by transparency welding of another rod-shaped element 12, 22 forming another portion of rod 12 or 22 at another location of the plate 10, for the purpose of manufacturing a second part.

Claims (28)

Such a procedure makes it possible to obtain precise and fast parts or blanks of parts equipped with one or more portions in the form of a rod, and in particular a wall with its foot, a dial with one or more feet, or a needle and its barrel. In FIGS. 1A to 12D, the rod-shaped elements 12 and 22 forming the separate initial parts and the rod-shaped portions 12 'and 22' forming the integrated portions by welding to a plate 10, then (after cutting) to a blank and then (after finishing steps) to a final piece, are shaped cylinder of circular section. Other geometric shapes resembling a rod are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention, such as cylinders of non-circular section, or truncated cones, portions of sphere or a combination of these forms by the fact that the rod-shaped elements have sections of different shape and / or size. As another example not shown, we can use the present invention for dial feet which have a first section having the connecting face and having a cylinder shape of circular section with a first diameter, this first section being extended coaxially with a second section having a cylindrical shape of circular section with a second diameter larger than the first diameter. Reference numerals used in the figures [0070] A Direction of advance of the plate F1 Focusing point of the first laser beam F2 Focusing point of the second laser beam N Normal direction to the plate a1 Inclined angle of the first laser beam a2 Inclined angle of the second laser beam 10 Material plate 10a Receiving face 10b Receiving hole 10c Piloting hole 12 Rod-shaped element 12 'Rod-shaped portion 12a End or connecting face 12b Head 14 First laser source 14a First laser beam 16 Second laser source 16a Second laser beam 22 Rod-shaped element 22 'Rod-shaped portion 22a End or connecting face Claims A method of manufacturing watch parts having a rod-shaped portion (12 '; 22'), comprising the steps of: - providing a plate (10), - providing rod-shaped elements (12; 22), - placing one of said rod-shaped members (12; 22) on a receiving face (10a) of said plate (10) at the desired location; - maintaining the relative position between said rod-shaped element (12; 22), and said plate (10), and - fixing said rod-shaped element (12; 22) on said receiving face (10a) by at least a first laser beam (14a) this fixing step being carried out by transparency welding in that the first laser beam (14a) passes through said plate (10) and / or said rod-shaped element (12; 22), whereby one obtains a welded connection between said (12; 22) rod-shaped member (12; 22) and said plate (10) creating a rod-shaped portion (12 '; 22') protruding from said plate (10). 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the step of maintaining the relative position between said rod-shaped element and said plate (10) is also performed during the step of fixing by transparency welding. 3. Method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein during the step of laying between the rod-shaped element (12; 22) and the plate (10), is made a contact between a face connecting the end of the rod-shaped element (12; 22) and the receiving face (10a) 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of maintaining the relative position between said rod-shaped element (12; 22) and said plate (10) is achieved by means of a holding system. 5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plate (10) has a hole (10b), the rod-shaped element (12; 22) has a head (12b) wider than the the remainder of the rod-shaped element (12; 22) and wider than said hole (10b), and during the laying step, the rod-shaped element (12, 22) is introduced into the hole (10b) by its end opposite the head (12b), whereby by the effect of gravity the head (12b) rests against the receiving face (10a) of the plate (10). The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first laser beam (14a) is applied from the side of the face of the plate (10) opposite to said receiving face (10a). The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first laser beam (14a) is applied from the side of the receiving face (10a) of the plate (10). The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first laser beam (14a) is directed in a direction orthogonal to said plate (10). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first laser beam (14a) is directed in an inclined direction forming an angle (a1) between 5 and 45 ° with respect to the direction normal to said plate. (10). The method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in the fixing step, a second laser beam (16a) is further disposed on the side of the plate (10) different from the first laser beam (14a) and performs a transparency bonding through said plate (10) and / or said rod-shaped member (12; 22) at the interface location between said rod-shaped member (12; 22) and said plate (12; 10). 11. The manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein the second laser beam (16a) is directed in a direction orthogonal to said plate (10). 12. The manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein the second laser beam (16a) is directed in an inclined direction forming an angle (a2) between 5 and 45 ° relative to the direction normal to said plate (10). 13. The manufacturing method according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the material of the plate (10) is transparent to the wavelength of the first laser beam (14a). The manufacturing method according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the material of the rod-shaped member (12; 22) is absorbent at the wavelength of the first laser beam (14a). 15. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the material of the rod-shaped element (12; 22) is transparent to the wavelength of the second laser beam (16a). 16. The manufacturing method according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein, after the fixing step, the cutting of said plate (10) to form a blank of the workpiece, said blank comprising said portion rod shape (12 ', 22'). 17. The manufacturing method according to claim 16, wherein said cutting step is performed by laser cutting. 18. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the rod-shaped portion (12 ', 22') is adapted to form the foot of an index finger, the foot of a wall lamp, the barrel of a needle, the foot of a bridge, the foot of a dial or the horn of a box. 19. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the plate (10) of material is a strip of material moving past the source of the first laser beam (14a). 20. A method of manufacturing an applique implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19. 21. A method of manufacturing an index implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19. 22. A method of manufacturing a needle implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19. 23. A method of manufacturing a dial implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19. 24. A method of manufacturing a bridge implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19. 25. A method of manufacturing a platen implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19. 26. A method of manufacturing a watch movement implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19. 27. A method of manufacturing a box implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19. 28. A method of manufacturing a watch implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.