CH714482A2 - A method of manufacturing a dial comprising at least one three-dimensional element. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a dial (11) comprising at least one three-dimensional element, the method comprising the steps of: generating by a control unit at least one control instruction of a printing device (3) for reproducing a reference digital graphic representation relating to said dial (11) provided with at least one three-dimensional element, and construction by the printing device (3) of at least two superposed layers comprising particles printed on a support member forming said dial (11), and removing the dial (11) from said support member. The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a dial.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a dial comprising at least one three-dimensional element and a system implementing such a method.

The invention also relates to such a dial as well as a timepiece provided with this dial. The invention also relates to a computer program.

PRIOR ART [0003] In the state of the art, the dials of timepieces are generally planar with only three-dimensional elements appliques such as the hour digits as well as indexes arranged at regular intervals around the periphery of these dials in order to facilitate the reading of the time in relation to the angular position of the hands. The realization of wall lamps and indexes remains a complex process and places them on a dial a tedious operation.

However, there are different methods of manufacturing dials comprising three-dimensional elements which have the advantage of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks.

For example, document EP 2 452 231 is known which discloses a method of manufacturing a dial provided with three-dimensional elements at least partially coated with a decorative layer. The method consists of forming the dial, then selectively modifying the surface state of the dial in order to locally change its adhesion with respect to the decoration layer. The decoration layer is then deposited directly on the entire dial and finally the parts of the deposited layer which have not adhered to the dial are removed.

Document EP 2 370 865 is also known, which describes a method for manufacturing a dial provided with three-dimensional elements consisting in making a mask on a dial of a timepiece with a thickness corresponding to the thickness. desired three-dimensional elements intended to decorate this dial, and having at least one opening. This mask is then placed against the dial with the opening arranged at the location of the part of the dial to be decorated in order to fill, by hot forming, the opening of the mask with an at least partially amorphous material. Finally the mask is removed in order to obtain the three-dimensional element on the dial of this timepiece.

However, these two methods are relatively complex to carry out because of the large number of operations necessary for their implementation and the different types of tool they require.

Furthermore, it will be noted that the method of manufacturing in a conventional manner a dial blank, on which three-dimensional elements are applied, generally involves several operations. A dial plate, for example made of aluminum or brass, is first stamped in order to cut the outer contour, the central hole and, depending on the type of movement, the aperture (s) of the draft dial. There follows a softening operation using an abrasive paper in order to remove the machining residues, a sanding operation on the surface then a polishing operation using brushes fitted with cotton disc. in order to obtain a perfectly smooth surface.

Like the manufacturing processes as described in documents EP 2 370 865 and EP 2 452 231, the production of a dial blank according to the conventional manufacturing process has the drawback of requiring different types of tools and know-how that requires skilled labor with obvious repercussions on production costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is therefore to propose a method which allows the manufacture of a dial comprising at least one three-dimensional element such as a decorative element or a relief pattern defined on a surface. of this dial quickly and simply and which also contributes to improving the large-scale production of such dials automatically and economically.

In this design, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a dial comprising at least one three-dimensional element, the method comprising the following steps:

- generation by a control unit of at least one command to control a printing device intended to reproduce a digital graphic representation of reference relating to said dial provided with at least one three-dimensional element, and

- construction by the printing device of at least two superimposed layers comprising particles printed on a support element forming said dial, and

- removal of the dial from said support element.

Thus thanks to these characteristics, the manufacturing process makes it possible to produce a dial comprising at least one three-dimensional element in a reduced number of operations which are simple and quick to implement.

In other embodiments:

CH 714 482 A2

the construction step comprises a substep for producing a dial blank comprising the phase of applying at least one layer of particles to the support element and the phase of processing said at least one layer printed particles;

- the application of at least one layer of particles is carried out continuously on the support element in order to obtain a blank outline of a solid shape;

- the application of printed particles is carried out discontinuously on the support element in order to obtain a skeleton-type dial outline;

the construction step comprises a substep for producing at least one three-dimensional element comprising the selective application phase, at least one layer of at least one particle on said dial blank and the treatment phase said at least one layer of at least one particle;

- the application of at least one layer of at least one particle is carried out discontinuously on said dial blank;

- the application phases provide for execution by the control unit of said at least one control instruction comprising descriptive data of the constituent layers of said reference digital graphic representation to be reproduced;

- the application phases provide for the deposition of at least one ink comprising said at least one particle;

- Said ink comprises a fluid transporting said at least one particle or particles, the fluid being chosen from a solvent, a viscoelastic polymer, an oil, water and / or an aqueous solution;

- the treatment phases include a sub-phase for fixing said layer on the dial blank or on the support element;

the fixing phase provides for exposure of the layer to a flow of air, in particular hot air and / or to light radiation in particular to ultraviolet or even infrared radiation, and

- the particle is included in an ink such as a colored ink comprising pigmented or colored particles, or a colorless or transparent or translucent ink comprising colorless or transparent or translucent particles, or a functional ink comprising functional particles.

The invention also relates to a dial comprising at least one three-dimensional element capable of being obtained from such a process.

Advantageously, the dial forms with said at least one three-dimensional element a single piece.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such dial.

The invention also relates to a system for manufacturing a dial comprising at least one three-dimensional element implementing the method, the system comprising a printing device and a control unit, said printing device being connected to said control unit.

Advantageously, the control unit comprises hardware and software resources, said hardware resources comprising memory elements comprising at least one digital reference graphic representation relating to the dial to be manufactured and descriptive data relating to said at least one representation. digital reference graph.

The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method when said program is executed by a control unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading several embodiments given only by way of nonlimiting examples and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic representation relating to a system for manufacturing a dial comprising at least one three-dimensional element, according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 2 is a flow diagram relating to a method of manufacturing a dial comprising at least one three-dimensional element, according to the embodiment of the invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a timepiece comprising at least one dial, according to the embodiment of the invention;

fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a printing device of the system able to participate in the construction of a dial blank in full form, according to the embodiment of the invention;

fig. 5A shows a schematic view of the printing device of the system capable of participating in the construction of a skeleton-type dial blank, according to the embodiment of the invention;

CH 714 482 A2 fig. 5B shows a top view of the skeleton-type dial blank, according to the embodiment of the invention;

fig. 5C shows a sectional view of FIG. 5B along the axis A-A, according to the embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 6, 7, 8 and 9 each represent a view of an example of a dial obtained, according to the embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the system for manufacturing a dial 11 of a timepiece 40 comprising at least one three-dimensional element 30, comprises a control unit 2 and a printing device 3. The dial 11 can for example be a full-shaped dial or a skeleton-type dial. The dial as well as the three-dimensional element 30 which it includes, can be in color, multicolor, monochrome, transparent or translucent. The three-dimensional element 30 may include an Arabic or Roman numeral, an index or even an applique arranged on the periphery of the dial.

In this system 1, the control unit 2 is connected to the printing device 3 in particular to ensure the control of this device 3. The control unit 2 can be a computer or a microcontroller comprising hardware and software resources, in particular at least one processor 4 cooperating with memory elements 5. This control unit 2 is capable of executing instructions for the implementation of a computer program.

In this control unit 2, the memory elements 5 include, in addition to the computer program, data relating to at least one reference digital graphic representation 9a to be reproduced relating to the dial 11 as well as descriptive data 9b relating to to said at least one digital reference graphic representation 9a. A reference digital graphic representation 9a comprises for example a reference 3D three-dimensional graphic representation or a reference 2D two-dimensional graphic representation. It will be noted that the reference digital graphic representation 9a is generated by a system design module 1 which is connected to the control unit 2 which may include a two-dimensional / three-dimensional digitizing device, or even by a software tool executed by the control unit 2 allowing virtual 2D / 3D modeling from photographs or images, or even making it possible to design a virtual three-dimensional digital object (for example computer-aided design software better known by the acronym CAD).

Such a printing device 3 visible in Figs. 1, 4 and 5A, comprises a printing member 6, a fixing member 7 and a drive member 8. The printing member 6 comprises several printing entities in particular jet-jet printing cartridges ink each cartridge comprising a print head 12a to 12d in the present embodiment a print head and at least one inkjet reservoir 12a to 12d. In these cartridges, the ink comprises at least one particle which can be included in a fluid. Such a fluid is provided to ensure the transport of this so-called at least one particle on the support on which it is to be deposited here a support element and the dial formed, during its ejection from the cartridge. Such a fluid can be any body capable of ensuring this transport. This fluid can be chosen in a nonlimiting and non-exhaustive way from a solvent, a viscoelastic polymer, an oil, water and an aqueous solution. By way of example, when it is a viscoelastic polymer, this fluid is a viscoelastic polymer fluid in the non-polymerized liquid phase which is preferably photo-polymerizable. It will be noted that in a variant, said at least one particle can be deposited on this support without requiring such a fluid to ensure its transport. The cartridges of this printing member 6 can include inks such as for example:

- a colored ink comprising pigmented or colored particles, or

- a colorless or transparent or translucent ink, such as a lacquer, comprising colorless or transparent or translucent particles, or

a functional ink comprising functional particles and which is selected from the group consisting of an electroluminescent ink, a phosphorescent ink, photoluminescent ink, a conductive ink, a semiconductor ink, an electroactive ink, a magnetic ink, a photochromic ink, electrochromic ink, thermochrome ink, an ionochrome ink and a mechanochrome ink.

In this context, a layer consisting of at least one functional particle and / or at least one colored or pigmented particle, and / or at least one colorless or transparent or translucent particle, may have in a non- exhaustive and non-limiting:

- a white color only;

- a white color with a matt or shiny finish by the presence of at least one colorless or transparent or translucent particle;

- a black color only;

- a black color with a matt or shiny finish by the presence of at least one colorless or transparent or translucent particle;

CH 714 482 A2

- a wide range of colors thanks to the four-color technique using the basic colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow and black (called CMYK system) allowing this wide range of colors to be reproduced from three colors elementary, a blue-green called cyan, a red called magenta and a yellow to which we add the color black.

In addition, such a printing device 3 is also capable of participating in the manufacture of such a dial 11 with a low resolution or with a high resolution which may be greater than or equal to 2400 dpi (pixels per inch ).

In this printing device 3, the drive member 8 is capable of causing the displacement of the printing member 6 in different directions relative to a support element of the system 1 on which is likely to be made the dial 11. This support element which is able to run past the print heads 12a to 12d, may for example take the form of a non-adhesive sheet and lubricated so as to be able to easily take off the dial 11 once its manufacture finished. Regarding the fixing member 7, it is provided to ensure the fixing of a layer of at least one particle or of particles on the support element, or on a first layer or initial layer already present on this component. watchmaker 10. This fixing member 7 comprises a module capable of emitting UV and / or infrared ultraviolet radiation and / or an air flow, in particular a flow of hot air. This module is capable of generating radiation or a flow of air over all or part of a mounting area of the support element on which the dial 11 can be built. It will be noted that when the different inks mentioned previously comprise a viscoelastic polymer fluid, the module is a photopolymerization module provided with a source of ultraviolet UV radiation and which is therefore capable of generating UV radiation over all or part of the surface mounting area of the support element on which the dial 11 can be built.

Such a system 1 is capable of implementing a method of manufacturing a dial 11 comprising at least one three-dimensional element 30 shown in FIG. 2.

This method comprises a step 41 of generating at least one digital graphical representation of reference 9a. During this step 41, this reference digital graphic representation 9a can be produced from a three-dimensional digitization or even during the execution by the control unit 2 of a virtual 2D / 3D modeling or design software d '' a three-dimensional virtual digital object (for example computer-aided design software better known by the acronym CAD). Once generated, this digital reference graphic representation 9a is archived in the format of a digital data file in the memory elements 5 of the control unit 2, in other words, such a file includes relative information data. to the digital reference graphic representation 9a.

The method then provides a step 42 for determining descriptive data 9b relating to said reference digital graphic representation 9a. Such a step 42 is implemented by the control unit 2 and therefore makes it possible to determine descriptive data 9b which in particular participate in selecting the type or types of inks necessary for producing the dial 11 on the mounting area of the the support element and the direction of movement of the printing member 6 relative to the mounting area. During this step 42, a processing of this file and in particular of the information data relating to the reference digital graphic representation 9a, is then carried out by implementing in particular a digital division / cutting process of this graphic representation 9a in at minus two layers according to one:

- transverse direction which can be horizontal, vertical or oblique;

- longitudinal direction which can be horizontal, vertical or oblique.

Thereafter, during this treatment, the control unit 2 determines the characteristic elements of each layer obtained such as:

at least one dimension of each layer, it can be for example for each layer, of a thickness, length, width, surface, volume, etc .;

visual / aesthetic / structural aspects, that is to say visual and / or aesthetic and / or structural aspects of the reference digital graphic representation 9a such as color and / or texture, etc.

functional physical and / or chemical characteristics which the dial 11 must have, provided with at least one three-dimensional element 30 and which are linked for example to: electrical conductivity, semiconductor or insulating nature; semiconductor electroluminescence;

photoluminescence (for example a reaction to ultraviolet radiation);

phosphorescence,

CH 714 482 A2 "X-chromism" (photochromic, electrochromic, thermochrome, ionochrome, mechanochrome ...), electroactivation, magnetism, etc.

These characteristic elements of each layer constitute the descriptive data 9b relating to the digital reference graphic representation 9a which are archived in the memory elements 5 of the control unit 2.

The method of manufacturing this dial 11 also includes a step of selecting 43 of the digital reference graphic representation 9a which must be reproduced on the mounting area of the support element in order to form the dial 11 comprising at least a three-dimensional element 30. During this selection step 43, it is then possible to choose this reference digital graphic representation 9a from a man-machine interface (HMI) connected to the control unit 2.

The method then provides a generation step 44 by the control unit 2 of at least one control instruction for controlling the printing device 3, said at least one instruction aimed at reproducing the graphic representation reference numeral 9a. This generation step 44 of said at least one control instruction is carried out from descriptive data 9b relating to the constituent layers of the reference digital graphic representation 9a to be reproduced. This said at least one instruction comprises criteria for controlling the printing device 3 and in particular the printing member 6 and the fixing member 7. These criteria include in particular data relating to

a selection of the cartridges comprising the printheads 12a to 12d necessary for the reproduction of each layer of the digital reference graphic representation 9a and this, as a function of the ink which they contain, in particular for the reproduction of the visual aspects / aesthetic / structural and or functional characteristics of each of these layers;

- displacement of the print head 12a to 12d of each cartridge relative to the mounting area of the support element for the reproduction of at least one dimension and / or visual / aesthetic / structural aspects and / or characteristics functional of each layer of the digital reference graphic representation 9a;

distance and / or positioning of the print head 12a to 12d of each cartridge relative to the mounting area of the support element for the reproduction of at least one dimension and / or visual / aesthetic / structural aspects and / or functional characteristics of each layer of the reference digital graphic representation 9;

duration of positioning of the print head 12a to 12d of each cartridge relative to the mounting area of the support element for the reproduction of at least one dimension and / or visual / aesthetic / structural and / or functional characteristics of each layer of the reference digital graphic representation 9a;

- ink flow ejected from the print heads 12a to 12d, in particular the number of drops ejected for the reproduction of at least one dimension and / or visual / aesthetic / structural aspects and / or functional characteristics of each layer of the digital reference graphic representation 9a.

Thereafter the method comprises a step of construction 45 by the printing device 3 of at least two superimposed layers comprising together particles printed on the support element, said layers forming the dial 11 provided with minus a three-dimensional element 30. Each printed particle is included in one of the functional, colored and / or colorless / transparent / translucent inks mentioned above. It will in fact be noted that a layer can be formed only from at least one type of printed particle or from several different types of particles, namely functional, colored and / or colorless / transparent / translucent printed particles.

This construction step 45 comprises a substep for producing 46 of a dial blank 10, 20. This dial blank 10, 20 has a generally planar surface therefore devoid of relief. This substep 46 comprises a phase of application 47 of at least one layer of particles on the mounting area of the support element. This application of the layer can be carried out continuously or discontinuously. As mentioned above, each particle can be a functional, colored and / or colorless / transparent / translucent particle. It is understood that this layer may comprise several different types of particle or not chosen from functional particles, colored or colorless / translucent / transparent. In addition, this application sub-step provides for execution by the control unit 2 of said at least one control instruction comprising descriptive data of said reference digital graphic representation 9a to be reproduced. The execution of said at least one instruction makes it possible to control, within the framework of the application of this layer, the deposition of at least one ink comprising the particles and possibly other inks comprising other functional, colored or colorless / translucent / transparent. The production sub-step 46 then comprises a treatment phase 48 of said at least one layer of particles directly succeeding the application phase 47. This treatment phase 48 of said layer of particles comprises a fixing sub-phase of said layer of particles on the support element. This fixing sub-phase provides for exposure of the layer of particles to a flow of notably hot air.

CH 714 482 A2 and / or light radiation, in particular ultraviolet (UV) or infrared radiation. This fixing sub-phase thus aims to transform the layer of particles which is in the pasty or liquid state into a layer of at least one printed particle which is in the solid, rigid, elastic, dry, crosslinked and / or infusible. Thus the result of this transformation is the obtaining of a layer of particles printed on the support element. It should be noted that such a transformation has the advantage of being carried out very quickly in general in less than a second.

More precisely during this sub-step of realization 46, and in particular during the course of the application phase 47, the control unit 2 executes said at least one piloting instruction comprising descriptive data 9b of a constituent layer of said reference digital graphic representation 9a to be reproduced. Subsequently, the printing device 3 applies a first layer of particles, otherwise known as the initial layer, directly to the mounting area of the support element provided for this purpose as a function of said at least one piloting instruction executed.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, in a first variant of this production sub-step 46 aiming to obtain a blank outline of the dial 10 of solid shape, the deposition / application on the mounting zone of the layer of particles is carried out so keep on going. In other words, in this variant, the first layer is then applied continuously to the mounting area during a first passage of the printheads 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d above the support element making thus a first portion of the height of the dial blank 10. This first layer of particles then undergoes the fixing sub-phase of the treatment phase 48 during which this first layer is exposed to a flow of air, in particular hot and / or light radiation, in particular ultraviolet (UV) or even infrared radiation. According to said at least one piloting instruction executed, a second layer of particles can be applied continuously to the first layer of particles printed on the support element during a second passage of the printheads 12a to 12d at above the mounting area in order to produce a second portion of the height of the dial blank 10. This second layer of particles also undergoes the fixing sub-phase of the treatment phase 48 in order to transform this second layer into a second layer of particles printed on the first layer of particles printed on the support member.

In this first variant, the application and treatment phases 47, 48 can be repeated a third time in order to obtain a dial blank 10 whose thickness is approximately 0.5 mm in order to ensure good mechanical stability of the dial 11. This operation can also be repeated a fourth, a fifth or even a sixth time depending on the thickness of the dial blank desired. In general, the thickness of the solid dial blank 10 obtained by the manufacturing method according to the invention can vary between 0.3 mm and 1 mm or even more. Therefore, the number of printed particle layers may vary depending on the thickness of the dial blank

10. A minimum number of two superimposed layers of printed particles is desirable in order to obtain good mechanical resistance of the dial 11 although it cannot be excluded that a single layer of printed particles offers satisfactory mechanical resistance depending on the properties of the inks used. .

Referring to Figs. 2 and 5A, in a second variant of this sub-embodiment 46 aimed at obtaining a skeleton-type dial blank 20 (visible in FIGS. 5B and C), the deposition / application on the mounting area of the particle layer is produced discontinuously. In other words, in this variant, the first layer is then applied discontinuously to the mounting area during a first passage of the printheads 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d above the support element making thus a first portion of the height of the dial blank 20. This first layer of particles then undergoes the fixing sub-phase of the treatment phase 48 during which this first layer is exposed to a flow of air, in particular hot and / or light radiation, in particular ultraviolet (UV) or even infrared radiation. According to said at least one piloting instruction executed, a second layer of particles can be applied discontinuously to the first layer of particles printed on the support element during a second passage of the printheads 12a to 12d at above the mounting area in order to produce a second portion of the height of the dial blank 20. This second layer of particles also undergoes the fixing sub-phase of the treatment phase 48 in order to transform this second layer into a second layer of particles printed on the first layer of particles printed on the support member.

In this second variant, the application and treatment phases 47, 48 can be repeated a third time in order to obtain a dial blank 20 whose thickness is approximately 0.5 mm in order to ensure good mechanical stability of the dial 11. This operation can also be repeated a fourth, a fifth or even a sixth time depending on the thickness of the dial blank 20 desired. In general, the thickness of the skeleton type dial blank 20 obtained by the manufacturing method according to the invention can vary between 0.3 mm and 1 mm or even more. Consequently, the number of layers of printed particles can vary depending on the thickness of the dial blank 20. A minimum number of two superimposed layers of printed particles is desirable in order to obtain good mechanical strength of the dial 11 although it cannot be excluded that a single layer of printed particles offers satisfactory mechanical resistance depending on the properties of the inks used.

The construction step then comprises a substep for producing 49 of at least one three-dimensional element 30. This substep 49 comprises a phase 50 of selective application of a layer of at least one particle on said dial blank 10, 20. This selective application of said at least one layer makes it possible to create the three-dimensional element 30 so that it has a relief relative to a flat surface of the dial blank 10, 20. In other words, this application of the layer is carried out discontinuously on this dial blank 10, 20.

CH 714 482 A2

As we mentioned earlier, the particle can be colored and / or functional and / or colorless / translucent / transparent. It is understood that this layer can comprise several types of particle chosen from colored, functional and or colorless / translucent / transparent particles. Note that said at least one layer deposited on the dial blank 10, 20 may have a constant thickness at any point or an irregular thickness. The production sub-step 49 then comprises a treatment phase 51 of said at least one layer of at least one particle directly following the application phase 50. This treatment phase 51 comprises a sub-phase of fixing of said layer d '' at least one particle on the dial blank 10, 20. This fixing sub-phase provides for exposure of the layer of at least one particle to a flow of air, in particular hot air and / or to light radiation in particular at ultraviolet (UV) or infrared radiation. This fixing sub-phase thus aims to transform the layer of at least one particle which is in the pasty or liquid state into a layer of at least one printed particle which is in the solid, rigid, elastic, dry state. , crosslinked and / or infusible. Thus the result of this transformation is the obtaining of a layer of at least one particle imprinted on the dial blank 10, 20. It will be noted that such a transformation has the advantage of being carried out very quickly in general. in less than a second.

More precisely during this substep of embodiment 49, and in particular during the course of the application phase 50, the control unit 2 executes said at least one piloting instruction comprising descriptive data 9b of a constituent layer of said reference digital graphic representation 9a to be reproduced. Subsequently, the printing device 3 applies a first layer of at least one particle directly on the dial blank 10, 20 as a function of said at least one piloting instruction executed. This first layer of at least one particle then undergoes the fixing sub-phase of the treatment phase 51 during which this first layer is exposed to a flow of air, in particular hot air and / or to light radiation in particular to radiation. ultraviolet (UV) or even infrared. Thereafter, the printing device 3 can provide for the application of a second layer of at least one particle on the first layer of at least one printed particle already present on the dial blank 10, 20 and this , as a function of said at least one control instruction executed. This second layer of at least one particle also undergoes the fixing sub-phase of the treatment phase 51 in order to transform this second layer into a second layer of at least one particle printed on the first layer of at least one particle. printed on the dial blank 10, 20.

Thus, the three-dimensional elements 30 such as the Arabic numerals in FIGS. 6 and 7 or again such as the indexes in FIG. 8 are produced by superimposing several layers of at least one particle printed on specific areas of the dial blank 10, 20 so as to have numerals and indexes with a thickness greater than 100 microns so that they are visible to the naked eye by the wearer of a watch comprising the dial 11 obtained with the method according to the invention. In general, the superposition of three layers of at least one printed particle is sufficient to give relief to the dial 11. It will be noted that according to the properties of the inks used, a method of manufacturing a dial 11 having a three-dimensional element 30 of a thickness of at least 100 microns by superimposing only two layers of at least one printed particle can be implemented. Fig. 9 illustrates a dial 11 comprising a more marked three-dimensional element 30, the thickness of which can be obtained by superposition of four or five layers of at least one printed particle.

In this context, the three-dimensional element 30 may include a pattern or an image that is sufficiently raised relative to the flat surface of the dial blank 10, 20 so that it constitutes a relief decoration that is visible to the naked eye of the wearer of the timepiece 40 comprising the dial 11 produced according to the method of the invention. As we have already mentioned, the three-dimensional element 30 may in particular be the hour digits (for example Arabic or Roman numerals), indexes or a drawing extending over the majority or part of the blank of dial 10, 20.

It will be noted that each layer of at least one viscoelastic polymer fluid can have a thickness of between 10 and 150 microns, and is preferably 100 microns.

Furthermore, it will be noted that once the three-dimensional element 30 is produced, the method may provide for a possible step consisting in depositing a layer of at least one colorless / translucent / transparent ink over the entire dial 11 or on specific parts of the dial 11 can be made in order to have a matt or shiny finish.

Subsequently, this method comprises a step of removing 52 from the dial 11 obtained from the support element of the system 1 before being conditioned up to the covering of a timepiece 40.

The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of this method when said program is executed by the control unit 2.

claims

Claims (18)

1. A method of manufacturing a dial (11) comprising at least one three-dimensional element (30), the method comprising the following steps: - Generation (44) by a control unit (2) of at least one command to control a printing device (3) aimed at reproducing a digital reference graphic representation (9a) relating to said dial (11) provided at least one three-dimensional element (30), and - construction (45) by the printing device (3) of at least two superimposed layers comprising particles printed on a support element forming said dial (11), and CH 714 482 A2 - removal (52) of the dial (11) of said support element. 2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the construction step (45) comprises a production sub-step (46) of a dial blank (10, 20) comprising the following phases: - Application (47) of at least one layer of particles on the support element; - Treatment (48) of said at least one layer of printed particles. 3. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the application of at least one layer of particles is carried out continuously on the support element in order to obtain a blank outline of the dial (10). 4. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the application of printed particles is carried out discontinuously on the support element in order to obtain a dial blank (20) of skeleton type. 5. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the construction step (45) comprises a substep for producing (49) at least one three-dimensional element (30) comprising the following phases : - selective application (50) of at least one layer of at least one particle on said dial blank (10, 20); -treatment (51) of said at least one layer of at least one particle. 6. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the application of at least one layer of at least one particle is carried out discontinuously on said dial blank (10, 20). 7. Method according to any one of claims 5 and 6 above, characterized in that the application phases (47, 50) provide for execution by the control unit (2) of said at least one control instruction comprising descriptive data (9b) of constituent layers of said reference digital graphic representation (9a) to be reproduced. 8. Method according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the application phases (47, 50) provide for the deposition of at least one ink comprising said at least one particle. 9. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said ink comprises a fluid transporting said at least one particle or particles, the fluid being chosen from a solvent, a viscoelastic polymer, an oil, water and / or a aqueous solution. 10. Method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the treatment phases (48, 51) comprise a sub-phase of fixing of said layer on the dial blank (10, 20) or on the support element. 11. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixing phase provides for exposure of the layer to a flow of air, notably hot air and / or to light radiation in particular to ultraviolet (UV) or infrared radiation. 12. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the particle is included in an ink such as: - a colored ink comprising pigmented or colored particles, or - a colorless or transparent or translucent ink comprising colorless or transparent or translucent particles, or - a functional ink comprising functional particles. 13. Dial (11) comprising at least one three-dimensional element (30) capable of being obtained from the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 14. Dial (11) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it forms with said at least one three-dimensional element (30) a single piece. 15. Timepiece (40) comprising at least one dial (11) according to any one of claims 13 and 14. 16. System for manufacturing a dial (11) comprising at least one three-dimensional element (30) implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the system (1) comprising a printing device ( 3) and a control unit (2), said printing device (3) being connected to said control unit (2). 17. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control unit (2) comprises hardware and software resources, said hardware resources comprising memory elements (5) comprising at least one digital reference graphic representation (9a) relating to the dial (11) to be manufactured and descriptive data (9b) relating to said at least one reference digital graphic representation (9a). 18. Computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 when said program is executed by a control unit (2).