JP2002101930A - Precious metal accessory, and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide precious metal accessories, in particular, a pendant or a ring having a clear picture even though obtained from an unclear photo. SOLUTION: The precious metal accessories, in particular, the pendant and the ring are manufactured by reading a realistic object such as a photo and a picture by a scanner, and converting scanned data into digital data by a computer, correcting the image in the digital data to form a negative film, forming the negative film into a plate by the photomechanical process, and applying the lost wax casting method with the plate as a part of an original.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a noble metal accessory such as a pendant or a ring manufactured by a lost wax casting method and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many precious metal accessories such as pendants and rings are manufactured by a lost wax casting method. In this lost wax casting method, for example, a metal material such as silver is directly engraved or forged to make a prototype, or a wax material is first engraved or bent to produce a wax prototype, and the casting method described later is performed. Once the process is completed, a prototype made of a metal material such as silver is manufactured. Next, the prototype is covered with a rubber material such as vulcanized raw rubber or silicone rubber to produce a rubber mold, and molten wax is poured into the rubber mold one by one to produce a number of wax models. Furthermore,
A gate is attached to a number of wax models to form a tree, for example, after covering the entire tree with a mold material such as gypsum and degassing and curing, the wax is removed by firing the mold material to form a mold. To manufacture. And, while rotating the mold, for example,
A casting is manufactured by pouring a molten precious metal such as gold or platinum, cooling it, and breaking the mold.

[0003] Therefore, it is almost impossible to produce a noble metal accessory having a realistic shape embodying a photograph or a painting by a lost wax casting method, and such a noble metal accessory is manufactured one by one by highly skilled craftsmen. Manufactured by hand, it was very expensive.

[0004] On the other hand, photoengraving is a technology for realistically printing photographs of people, animals, and the like. A technology for realizing a realistic pattern in a noble metal accessory by combining the photoengraving and lost wax casting. (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-135106).

[0005] The production method is such that a negative plate or a photograph is exposed to a photosensitive plate, a photosensitive plate is etched to form a printing plate, and the printing plate is made a part of a prototype, and lost wax is used. Forming a rubber mold used for casting, forming a wax model based on the rubber mold, forming a mold using this wax model, pouring molten precious metal into the mold, and casting a precious metal accessory It is.

[0006]

However, the photographs used in this photoengraving always require new and vivid photographs, and are based on old photographs, faded photographs, unclear photographs and the like. Even when performing photoengraving, the original image is not clear, so it is difficult to produce shading when exposed to the photosensitive plate,
When etched, it is difficult to form a realistic and clear relief plate.

For this reason, precious metal accessories in which important commemorative photographs and photographs or illustrations of memories, which are most important in terms of producing precious metal accessories, are realistically embodied as patterns on the surface of a pendant or the like. It was difficult.

According to the present invention, a clear negative is created based on an ordinary photograph, an old photograph, a faded photograph, an unclear photograph or an illustration, and the like. The purpose is to provide accessories.

The present invention also provides a precious metal accessory which can express a message of a wearer and can prove a person's identity, especially a ring, by being able to form a signature and the like of a person into a realistic and clear relief plate. The purpose is to provide.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention described in claim 1 reads a realistic object such as a photograph or a painting by a scanner and converts the object into digital data by a computer. Production of precious metal accessories, in which a negative film is formed by applying image correction to digital data, the negative film is formed into a printing plate by photolithography, and the printing plate is used as a part of a prototype to manufacture accessories by a lost wax casting method. The method is characterized by: According to the present invention described in claim 2, for example, a realistic subject such as a photograph or a painting is read by a scanner, converted into digital data by a computer, the digital data is subjected to image correction, and a negative film is formed. The film is formed on the printing plate by photolithography,
The printing plate is heated and bent into a ring or C shape to form a prototype, or attached to the front or back surface of a ring or C-shaped prototype body to form a prototype, and lost wax casting is performed from the prototype. It is a method of manufacturing a noble metal accessory for manufacturing a ring by a method. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image correction is a method of expressing the shadow of the subject by a halftone dot formed by crossing fine scanning lines. It is a method for manufacturing precious metal accessories. The printing plate formed by the photoengraving,
The method for producing a noble metal accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein zinc is used as a main material. Therefore, it is possible to easily manufacture a noble metal accessory having a realistic and beautiful motif formed on the front surface, the back surface, or both surfaces of the accessory body. In addition, it is possible to easily manufacture a noble metal accessory, particularly a ring, in which a human signature or the like is realistically and clearly formed on the front surface, the back surface, or both surfaces of the main body.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, for example, a real object such as a photograph or a painting is read by a scanner and converted into digital data by a computer, and the digital data is converted into a fine scanning line by shading the object. A negative film is formed by performing image correction by a method of representing the dots formed by crossing, and the negative film is formed on a printing plate mainly composed of zinc by photoengraving. It is a precious metal accessory manufactured by a lost wax casting method as a part. Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, for example, a real object such as a photograph or a painting is read by a scanner and converted into digital data by a computer, and the digital data is formed by intersecting the shadow of the object with fine scanning lines. A negative film is formed by performing image correction by a method represented by halftone dots, and the negative film is formed into a printing plate mainly composed of zinc by photoengraving, and while the printing plate is heated, a ring shape or C is formed. It is a ring manufactured by forming a prototype by bending it into a letter shape or attaching it to the front or back surface of a prototype body formed in a ring shape or a C-shape to form a prototype, and from the prototype by a lost wax casting method. And

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a noble metal accessory according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a front view of a noble metal accessory (pendant), FIG.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. Precious metal accessories 1
0, for example, the pendant is a decorative part 15 in which a subject such as a photograph of a person or an animal or a photograph of a building is realistically transferred to the front surface 12 or the back surface 13 or both surfaces 12 and 13 of the accessory main body 11 formed in a coin shape. Are integrally formed.

The surface of the decorative portion 15 has a fine uneven pattern 1
5a. Reference numeral 18 denotes a ring, which is provided at the upper end of the periphery of the accessory main body 11, and which is used when the accessory body 11 is used.
Insert a chain etc. The main material forming the pendant is preferably a noble metal such as gold, platinum, silver or the like.

The method of manufacturing a noble metal accessory according to the present invention will be described. For example, a case will be described in which a pendant in which a figure embodied on the surface is a human face is manufactured.

The manufacturing process is divided into a photo retouching process, a photoengraving process, and a casting process. Hereinafter, the respective steps will be described in detail. In the photo modifying step, a subject such as a photograph or an illustration serving as a base of the uneven pattern 15a expressed in the decorative portion of the pendant is read by a scanner.

The data read by the scanner is analyzed by a method called a halftone dot which expresses the shadow of the object by a large number of fine scanning lines, and is converted into digital data. The computer used is a commercially available personal computer or a dedicated computer integrated with a scanner. The digital data is temporarily stored in a computer, but may be stored on a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk.

Next, a computer is used to calculate an electric signal obtained by analyzing the digital data, and the image is corrected by further emphasizing the halftone dots. That is,
A fine uneven pattern is formed on substantially the entire surface of the decorative portion 15 of the noble metal accessory, so that the shadow of the subject, that is, the face of the person in this case, emerges due to the difference in the light reflection angle. The corrected digital data is also output as a negative for photoengraving by a computer. Of course, in the image correction, the image editing is performed at the same time so as to be adapted to the size of the decorative portion of the accessory body described later.

The photomechanical process is performed based on the negative. Photoengraving is performed by exposing the negative to a photosensitive plate coated with an optional chemical and baking it. The baking is preferably performed by irradiating a zinc plate with a mercury lamp to fix the zinc plate, followed by etching.

In the etching, a nitric acid is applied to the surface of the baked and fixed zinc plate to perform a corrosion treatment, whereby a substrate having a mesh-like uneven pattern on the surface of the zinc plate can be prepared.

Then, the substrate is adhered to the surface of the accessory body formed in the coin-shaped pendant to form a prototype for a casting process.

Next, a casting process is performed based on the pendant prototype. In the casting step, first, the entire pendant mold is coated with a vulcanized rubber material, preferably raw rubber or silicon rubber, and then a resilient rubber mold is formed.

After the rubber mold is cut into two parts by a knife or the like and the internal pendant mold is taken out, the molten wax is poured into the rubber mold from the gate of the rubber mold. After pouring the wax, after a while, the wax is cooled and solidified, the rubber mold is removed, and the wax model is taken out. By repeating this operation, a tree is formed from a plurality of wax models, and a gate is attached.

The tree is surrounded by a cylindrical flask, and an investment material (gypsum) dissolved and liquefied with water is usually poured into the flask to bury the tree, and then the investment material is removed by a vacuum defoaming machine or the like. Remove air bubbles.

After the investment material in the flask is dried for a certain period of time and degassed and hardened, the flask is fired at a high temperature and the tree model in the investment material is evaporated (dewaxed) to form a mold.

The noble metal dissolved in the mold formed by the above steps is filled. Since noble metals have different melting temperatures, it is necessary to carry out the method according to the temperature of the mold and its material. For example, in the case of precious metals, gold and silver are cast by vacuum suction and pressure casting, and platinum and the like are cast by medium frequency vacuum centrifugal casting, so that the filling material can be firmly penetrated into the details of the mold.

After the filled noble metal is cooled, the investment material is divided by a hammer or the like to take out the casting, and the entire finish is finished by sanding or buffing while paying attention to the unevenness of the decorative part. Is completed.

Next, a second embodiment of the noble metal accessory according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the noble metal accessory (ring). On the surface of a ring body 21 formed in a flat ring shape, a decorative portion 22 in which a subject such as a signature of a wearer and a symbol mark of the wearer is realistically transferred is integrally formed.

The decorative portion 22 is formed in a fine uneven pattern as in the first embodiment. However, since the ring main body 21 is formed of a precious metal material such as gold, platinum or silver, it can be used for a long time. It does not disappear even if there is.

In the method of manufacturing a noble metal accessory according to the present invention, the photo retouching step and the photo engraving step are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof is omitted here.

In the casting step, a substrate provided with a mesh-like uneven pattern on the surface of a zinc plate prepared by the same photoengraving step as described above is bent into a ring-shaped or C-shaped cross section. To form a prototype. Since the zinc plate lacks some elasticity, the bending is performed by slightly heating the zinc plate using a torch for jewel processing. Alternatively, the substrate may be bonded to the surface of the ring main body formed in a ring shape or a C-shaped cross section to form a prototype.

The following casting process is also substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in the ring main body 21 cast in a C-shaped cross section, both ends are adjusted according to the size of the wearer's finger. It goes without saying that the final ring 20 is formed by brazing.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Needless to say.

For example, in the embodiment, only the case where the precious metal such as gold, platinum, silver or the like is used as the material has been described. However, it is also possible to manufacture realistic metal accessories by the lost wax casting method using brass, titanium or the like as a material. it can.
In addition, according to the present invention, not only the pendant described in the embodiment but also a precious metal accessory such as a broach or an earring that realistically embodis a photograph or illustration as a pattern on the front surface or the back surface or both surfaces can be manufactured. Of course.

[0034]

According to the precious metal accessory according to the present invention, a realistic object such as a photograph or a painting can be clearly reproduced by expressing a realistic pattern with a dot-like uneven surface. By reading a subject with a scanner and converting it into digital data, and applying an image correction to the digital data by a computer, an important commemorative image that has been given up can be turned into a realistic and clear precious metal accessory. In particular,
In the case of wearing the ring according to the present invention in which the signature is formed on the decorative portion, it can be easily noticed by a third party, and the identity of the person can be easily proved. Alternatively, by forming a message such as "I Love You" as a decorative portion on the back of the ring, a precious metal accessory such as a ring that is optimal as a gift can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pendant according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a manufacturing process of the accessory according to the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 10 Pendant 11 Pendant body 12 Surface part 13 Back part 15 Decoration part 18 Ring part 20 Ring 21 Ring body 22 Decoration part

Claims (6)

[Claims] For example, a photorealistic subject such as a photograph or a painting is read by a scanner, converted into digital data by a computer, the digital data is subjected to image correction to form a negative film, and the negative film is printed by photoengraving. A method for producing a noble metal accessory, comprising forming an accessory on a plate, and manufacturing the accessory by a lost wax casting method using the printing plate as a part of a prototype. 2. For example, a realistic object such as a photograph or a painting is read by a scanner, converted into digital data by a computer, the digital data is subjected to image correction to form a negative film, and the negative film is printed by photoengraving. Forming a printing plate, bending the printing plate into a ring or C shape while heating to form a prototype, or attaching it to the front or back surface of a ring or C-shaped prototype body to form a prototype, A method for manufacturing a noble metal accessory, wherein a ring is manufactured from a prototype by a lost wax casting method. 3. The method for manufacturing a noble metal accessory according to claim 1, wherein said image correction is a method of expressing a shadow of said subject by a halftone dot formed by intersecting fine scanning lines. 4. A printing plate formed by the photoengraving,
3. The method for producing a precious metal accessory according to claim 1, wherein the main component is zinc. 5. For example, a realistic object such as a photograph or a painting is read by a scanner and converted into digital data by a computer, and the digital data is represented by halftone dots formed by intersecting the shadow of the object with fine scanning lines. A negative film is formed by performing image correction by a technique, forming the negative film on a printing plate mainly composed of zinc by photoengraving, and using the printing plate as a part of a prototype by a lost wax casting method. Accessories. 6. For example, a realistic subject such as a photograph or a painting is read by a scanner and converted into digital data by a computer, and the digital data is represented by halftone dots formed by crossing fine scanning lines of the subject. A negative film is formed by performing image correction by a technique, the negative film is formed into a printing plate mainly made of zinc by photoengraving, and the printing plate is heated to be bent into a ring shape or a C shape to form a prototype. A ring manufactured by attaching to the front or rear surface of a formed or ring-shaped or C-shaped prototype body to form a prototype, and manufactured from the prototype by lost wax casting.