Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B29/00—Frameworks
  • G04B29/02—Plates; Bridges; Cocks
  • G04B29/027—Materials and manufacturing
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0069—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for working with non-mechanical means, e.g. chemical, electrochemical, metallising, vapourising; with electron beams, laser beams
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
  • B05D3/02—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by baking
  • B05D3/0254—After-treatment
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
  • B05D3/06—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by exposure to radiation
  • B05D3/061—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by exposure to radiation using U.V.
  • B05D3/065—After-treatment
  • B05D3/067—Curing or cross-linking the coating
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D5/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
  • B05D5/08—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain an anti-friction or anti-adhesive surface
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
  • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
  • B22F10/00—Additive manufacturing of workpieces or articles from metallic powder
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
  • B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
  • B29C64/106—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
  • B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
  • B29C64/106—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
  • B29C64/124—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
  • B29C64/129—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask
  • B29C64/135—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
  • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
  • B33Y10/00—Processes of additive manufacturing
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
  • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
  • B33Y30/00—Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
  • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
  • B33Y80/00—Products made by additive manufacturing
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C24/00—Coating starting from inorganic powder
  • C23C24/08—Coating starting from inorganic powder by application of heat or pressure and heat
  • C23C24/082—Coating starting from inorganic powder by application of heat or pressure and heat without intermediate formation of a liquid in the layer
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B15/00—Escapements
  • G04B15/14—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. construction of the lever or the escape wheel
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04C15/00—Clocks driven by synchronous motors
  • G04C15/009—Lubricating
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0069—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for working with non-mechanical means, e.g. chemical, electrochemical, metallising, vapourising; with electron beams, laser beams
  • G04D3/0071—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for working with non-mechanical means, e.g. chemical, electrochemical, metallising, vapourising; with electron beams, laser beams for bearing components
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0074—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0074—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment
  • G04D3/0079—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment for gearwork components
  • G04D3/0082—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment for gearwork components for gear wheels or gears
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0074—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment
  • G04D3/0079—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment for gearwork components
  • G04D3/0084—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment for gearwork components for axles, sleeves
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0074—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment
  • G04D3/0087—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment for components of the escapement mechanism, e.g. lever escapement, escape wheel
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0074—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment
  • G04D3/0089—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment for components of the regulating mechanism, e.g. coil springs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D1/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials
  • B05D1/26—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by applying the liquid or other fluent material from an outlet device in contact with, or almost in contact with, the surface
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D1/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials
  • B05D1/34—Applying different liquids or other fluent materials simultaneously
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
  • B05D3/06—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by exposure to radiation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
  • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
  • B29L2031/739—Horology; Equipment therefor
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
  • Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
  • Y02P10/25—Process efficiency

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method of manufacturing an epilated mechanical part.
• the invention also relates to an epilamated mechanical part obtained according to such a manufacturing process.
• the mechanical part which comprises a substrate on which an epilame layer is deposited, is for example a timepiece, typically a plate, an anchor lever, a wheel, a balance or even an axis.
• the lubricants used fall mainly into two categories: fluid lubricants and lubricants using a so-called solid lubrication of mechanisms.
• Solid lubricants which generally have a lamellar structure, are used less in the field of watchmaking than fluid lubricants, because they inherently generate debris. Such solid lubricants thus have the drawback of causing mechanical wear in the longer or shorter term. However, such wear, which is difficult to predict, turns out to be very detrimental to the reliability of a watch movement.
• Fluid lubricants are generally in the form of more or less viscous greases or oils. They have the advantage of being easier and faster to apply than solid lubricants. The volume of lubricant to be used is also more easily controlled.
• oils viscosity, wettability, etc.
• the physical characteristics of oils allow the lubrication of several functional areas of a mechanism, regardless of the complexity of the latter.
• the energy generated by heating is mainly dissipated by the oil.
• An oil film generally forms again, even after breaking and with a low volume used.
• the fluid should as much as possible remain confined to the functional areas while it naturally tends to spread.
• the durability of the lubricant thus depends on its retention in the operating zone: any watchmaker has however noticed that a drop of lubricant spreads quickly on a clean part. While this ability proves to be beneficial since all the sensitive areas of a mechanism are effectively covered, it can also prove to be detrimental to the proper functioning of the assembly.
• fluid lubricants whether they are in the form of oils or greases, therefore poses a major problem for the operation of watch mechanisms.
• fats we very often see a demixing between the soap and the base oil. The latter will therefore be able to migrate onto the surfaces of the part and leave the functional zones, which brings us back to the problem mentioned above for fluid lubricants in the form of oils.
• a fluid lubricant holds in place when its surface tension is higher than that of the support on which it is deposited. If the surface tension of the lubricant is too low, the oil will spread out and will not stay in its place.
• This epilame which often comes in the form of an invisible oleophobic molecular layer, is a product that decreases the apparent surface tension of the support. It should be noted that the surface tension given by an epilame is of the order of 20 to 30 mN / m while the surface tension of a watch oil is typically 35 mN / m. This difference of 5 to 15 mN / m gives a drop shape with a connection angle acceptable to watchmakers. It is generally in the range of 25 to 60. This will keep the lubricant in the desired area. A larger angle can lead to unwanted displacement (lubricant ball rolling on the surface like water on new GoreTex TM for example).
• This epilame can be deposited in several ways but the mainly known process for doing this consists of dipping the mechanical part to be epilamated in a solution composed of a solvent and a certain quantity of molecules which will be deposited on the surface of the part. so as to modify its surface tension. The solvent is then evaporated in a next step, leaving only the deposited molecular layer of molecules. The epilame then covers the entire surface of the room. In the first moments of operation and in areas of friction, the epilame is removed by abrasion, leaving a surface that the lubricant can wet. Some critical mechanisms such as the escapement can be left to operate for a minimum period of time for this epilame abrasion to occur. Once this operation is completed, a new lubrication is carried out. The lubricant then wets the surfaces where the abrasion has occurred exactly at the point of friction.
• the object of the invention is therefore to provide a method of manufacturing an epilaminated mechanical part allowing local deposition of epilame on the part in order to delimit precise zones of confinement of a lubricant, in a simple and inexpensive manner. .
• the invention relates to a method of manufacturing an epilamated mechanical part, which comprises the characteristics mentioned in independent claim 1.
• the method according to the invention allows deposition of epilame on the part very precise, both in volume of fluid deposited and in location. It is thus understood that, unlike the methods of the prior art, the thin bead of epilame is here deposited locally on the part, which makes it possible to confine the lubricant in a zone delimited by the deposited bead. The surface thus delimited is then perfectly wetted by the lubricant, guaranteeing perfect operation for the part as long as the delimited zone corresponds to at least one targeted functional zone. It should be noted that, in the context of the present invention, the epilame product deposited may equally well be an epilame product causing a lubricant grip or repulsion by physical effect, by chemical effect, or even via a combination of these two effects.
• the deposition step comprises a phase of nebulizing an ink containing the epilame product in the form of a solution or a suspension of particles, and a phase of projecting the nebulized ink onto the substrate of the part; and the step of processing the second material comprises a phase of curing said second material.
• This process corresponds to the so-called AJP process (from the English "Aerosol Jet Printing"). It will be noted in an alternative that certain inks did not require a curing step, for example by crosslinking strictly speaking. A brief moment in the open air is enough for the solvent to evaporate and for the resin to cross-link "on its own". Such a process offers a very wide variety in the choice of possible materials for the deposition of epilame product, and allows very precise deposition, in particular at the micrometric scale on flat but also flexible and / or three-dimensional parts.
• the hardening phase consists of a heat treatment which comprises at least one annealing step and / or a localized sintering step and / or a vacuum step. This speeds up the solidification process.
• a heat treatment also makes it possible to melt the material in order to ensure cohesion between the grains.
• the localized sintering step is obtained by irradiating said second material by means of a laser.
• the curing phase consists of polymerization by photo-crosslinking and / or by chemical crosslinking.
• the photocrosslinking polymerization phase is obtained by the projection of ultraviolet rays on the material containing the epilame product, at a predetermined wavelength.
• the step of processing said second material comprises at least one of the following phases:
• phase of modification of the chemical structure of the material containing the epilame product in particular an ion implantation phase
• phase of modification of the crystallographic structure of the material containing the epilame product in particular a phase of localized heat treatment by laser;
• phase of modification of the roughness of the material containing the epilame product in particular a phase of laser treatment.
• the deposition of the epilame product is carried out in the form of a projection on the substrate of a localized bead of material containing the epilame product, said bead being a continuous or discontinuous bead.
• the localized bead of material has a width of at least 10 ⁇ m, preferably at least 15 ⁇ m.
• the deposition of the epilame product is carried out in the form of a projection on the substrate of two collimated or localized beams of liquid material, at least one of the liquid materials containing the epilame product, both liquid materials projected by the beams being chosen so as to cause solidification when brought into contact with one another.
• the projection onto the substrate of at least one collimated or localized beam of material containing the epilame product is carried out by means of at least one nozzle.
• fixed projection, the or each projection nozzle being configured to project substantially vertically, from top to bottom, a collimated or localized beam of material; the orientation and / or position in space of the substrate being changed during the deposition step.
• the projection onto the substrate of at least one collimated or localized beam of material containing the epilame product is carried out by means of at least one nozzle.
• projection mounted to move relative to the substrate for example mounted on a multi-axis robot; the substrate being kept fixed during the deposition step.
• the second material consists of a single component, in particular a polymer, more particularly an epoxy resin.
• the polymer is typically a photocurable polymer or a thermosetting polymer.
• the second material comprises several components.
• Each of the components is typically in liquid or solid form.
• each of the components is chosen from the group of components consisting of: a surfactant component; a solvent; a component exhibiting a physical, chemical or mechanical repellency function; a component having an aesthetic function; a component having a function intended to promote crosslinking; or a combination of these.
• the substrate comprises a surface comprising said epilame product, said surface comprising:
• the invention also relates to an epilamated mechanical part obtained by the manufacturing process described above, and which comprises the characteristics mentioned in dependent claim 17.
• the epilamated mechanical part is a timepiece.
• FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing steps of a method of manufacturing a mechanical part epilamated according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a system for implementing the method of FIG. 1, according to a first embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an epilamated mechanical part obtained by the method of Figure 1.
• FIG. 1 represents a method of manufacturing an epilamated mechanical part 2 according to the invention.
• Such an epilame mechanical part 2 which is visible in FIGS. 2 to 4, comprises a substrate 4.
• This substrate 4 is the support on which the epilame product 6 will be deposited.
• Such a support capable of receiving the epilame product comprises a surface called the epilamated surface of this substrate 4. It may be a surface comprising:
• this surface is intended to receive or include this epilame product 6 which aims to reduce the surface tension of this surface and therefore of the support and therefore of the substrate.
• the epilamated mechanical part 2 can be a timepiece, such as for example a plate, an anchor lever, a wheel, a balance or even an axis.
• the part 2 can also be a part of an object using mechanical or micromechanical elements in relative displacement and whose contacts are lubricated with a fluid lubricant which can migrate and thus alter the tribological function.
• the process of manufacture of such an epilame mechanical part 2 according to the invention may be suitable for all applications using an epilame.
• the method comprises an initial step 10 of depositing the epilame product 6 on the substrate 4.
• the substrate 4 consists of a first material
• the epilame product 6 consists of a second, distinct material. of the first material.
• the first material can be, for example, metal, ceramic, ruby, sapphire, plastic, diamond, quartz, glass, silicon carbide, amorphous materials (e.g. metallic glasses) or in a combination of these.
• the second material may consist of a single component, such as for example a polymer.
• the polymer is typically a photocurable or thermosetting polymer, such as for example an epoxy resin.
• the second material comprises several components. Each of the components is for example in liquid or solid form.
• the components can be chosen in particular so that their functions are complementary to, for example, promote crosslinking, facilitate the location of the material, provide a function specific to the repulsion of the lubricant, provide an aesthetic function for example linked to the color or to the texture, bringing roughness to the deposited material, or even transporting the useful component (s) to the final function.
• the components can be chosen from the group of components consisting of: a surfactant component; a solvent; a component exhibiting a physical, chemical or mechanical repellency function; a component having an aesthetic function; or else a component exhibiting a function intended to promote crosslinking.
• a component chosen as solvent can make it possible to facilitate the transport of the other useful component (s) to the final function.
• a component chosen to give a visible pigmentation to the epilame product 6 can make it possible to visually facilitate the operations carried out by an operator, for example by imparting coloring to the lubricant.
• the method comprises a following step 11 of treatment of the second material constituting the epilame product 6 to ensure the cohesion of the components on the substrate 4 of the part 2. These components can be the components of the second material.
• the deposition step 10 is carried out in the form of a projection on the substrate 4 of at least one collimated or localized beam 12, 12A, 12B of material containing the epilame product 6. According to a first embodiment of the invention , illustrated in FIG. 2, the deposition is carried out in the form of a projection on the substrate 4 of a single beam 12 containing the epilame product 6.
• the beam 12 is for example configured to project on the substrate 4 a continuous bead and localized 14 of material containing the epilame product 6.
• the continuous bead 14 typically has a width of at least 10 ⁇ m, preferably at least 15 ⁇ m. It will be noted that the maximum width of the bead depends on the geometry of the part and the desired aesthetics. In the extreme, it is thus possible to completely cover the room with the exception of the only functional area.
• the beam 12 is configured to project onto the substrate 4 a discontinuous and localized bead of material containing the epilame product, for example in the form of a discontinuous series of patterns such as dots or lines. Note that the cord must be closed if it is to be confined.
• the beam 12 is configured to project a closed bead of material containing the epilame product onto a substrate 4 on which are drawn migration paths by which the lubricant would move in a controlled manner. This makes it possible to deposit the lubricant in an easily accessible zone from which it migrates towards the targeted functional zone but less easily accessible.
• the deposition is carried out in the form of a projection on the substrate 4 of two collimated or localized beams 12A, 12B of liquid material. At least one of the liquid materials contains the epilame product 6. In the example of particular embodiment of FIG. 3, only the liquid material projected by the first nozzle 16A contains the epilame product 6.
• the two liquid materials projected by the beams 12A, 12B are chosen so as to cause solidification when brought into contact with one with the other.
• Araldite TM two-component adhesive consisting of an epoxy resin and a polymerizing agent, 1,4,7,10-tetraazadecane. In contact with these two components, a polyepoxide is formed.
• the projection onto the substrate 4 of at least one collimated or localized beam 12, 12A, 12B of material containing the epilame product 6 is carried out by means of 'at least one fixed projection nozzle 16, 16A, 16B.
• a system 18 is used which comprises, in addition to the nozzle (s) 16, 16A, 16B, a device 20 for controlling the jet projected by it (s).
• the mechanical part 2 on which the epilame product 6 is deposited is placed under the or each nozzle 16, 16A, 16B, in line with that (s) -ci.
• the system 18 comprises a single fixed projection nozzle 16.
• the system 18 comprises two fixed projection nozzles 16A, 16B, each one. nozzles 16A, 16B projecting one of the collimated or localized beams 12A, 12B of liquid material.
• the or each fixed projection nozzle 16, 16A, 16B is configured to project substantially vertically, from top to bottom, a corresponding beam 12, 12A, 12B of material.
• the orientation and / or the position in space of the mechanical part 2, and therefore of the substrate 4 on which the epilame product 6 is deposited, are modified during the deposition step 10.
• the system 18 comprises for example a device 22 for multi-axis positioning of the part 2, connected to the control device 20.
• the multi-axis positioning device 22 is used to impart mobility in space to the or each projection nozzle.
• the mechanical part 2, and therefore the substrate 4 on which the epilame product 6 is deposited, are then kept fixed during the deposition step 10, by any known means.
• the positioning device is for example a multi-axis robot, making it possible to modify the orientation and / or the position in space of the or each nozzle according to the three dimensions of the space, the or each nozzle then moving around the room 2.
• the deposition step 10 comprises a phase 24 of nebulization of an ink containing the epilame product 6 in the form of a solution or a suspension of particles, and a phase 26 of projecting the nebulized ink onto the substrate 4 of the part 2.
• the or each projection nozzle 16, 16A, 16B is connected to a nebulization chamber, such a chamber not being shown in the figures for reasons of clarity.
• the nebulization phase 24 then takes place in the nebulization chamber, the projection phase 26 being carried out by the nozzle (s) 16, 16A, 16B, if necessary controlled by the control device 20.
• the particles are typically micrometric, submicronic or even nanometric particles, which exhibit an active function of the type of those detailed above.
• this deposition step described here is based on the AJP technology acronym for “Aerosol Jet Printing”. However, it is possible to deposit a material by other technologies, such as for example digital printing, the spitting of drops which close to each other form a bead, etc. It is therefore understood that this deposition step is therefore not limited solely to this AJP technology.
• the treatment step 11 preferably comprises, when the ink requires it, a phase 28 of curing the second material.
• hardening is understood to mean the process of direct or indirect binding of the particles to obtain their cohesion. It will be noted that certain inks do not require a curing step, for example by crosslinking strictly speaking. A brief moment in the open air is enough for the solvent to evaporate and for the resin to cross-link "on its own”.
• the hardening phase 28 consists for example of a heat treatment of the second material, which comprises at least one annealing step and / or a localized sintering step and / or a vacuum step.
• This is particularly the case when the second material consists of a thermosetting polymer.
• this annealing step can also be called a heating step of this second material, for example from the application of microwave energy.
• Such heat treatment speeds up the solidification process.
• Localized sintering is for example carried out by irradiating the second material by means of a laser, such as an infrared laser for example.
• Such a natural hardening phase may further comprise, before the actual heat treatment, a natural drying step, typically in the case of a suspension of particles in a volatile solvent.
• the curing phase 28 may consist of an artificial curing obtained via polymerization by photo-crosslinking and / or by chemical crosslinking. This is particularly the case when the second material consists of a photocurable polymer.
• the photocrosslinking polymerization is typically obtained by the projection of ultraviolet rays on the material containing the epilame product 6, at a predetermined wavelength.
• step 11 of treating the second material comprises at least one of the following phases: a phase for modifying the chemical structure of the material containing the epilame product 6, in particular an ion implantation phase;
• phase of modification of the roughness of the material containing the epilame product 6, in particular a phase of laser treatment in particular a phase of laser treatment.

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