# US 2024/0201633 A1 · Method for manufacturing a timepiece component > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0201633 A1 - Document ID: US20240201633A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/539,502 - Filed: 2023-12-14 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-16 - Assignees: Rolex SA - Applicants: Rolex SA - Inventors: Laurent Mincone; Olivier Greim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240201633A1 ## CPC - G04B 15/14: Component parts or constructional details, e.g. construction of the lever or the escape wheel {(assembly and manufacture of the spring G04B1/145; assembly and manufacture of components, e.g. pinions, spindles G04B13/02; lubrication of clockwork bearings G04B31/008; oils for clockwork bearings in general G04B31/08)} - G04D 3/0069: {for working with non-mechanical means, e.g. chemical, electrochemical, metallising, vapourising; with electron beams, laser beams} - B23K 26/0624: {using ultrashort pulses, i.e. pulses of 1 ns or less} - B28B 1/24: by injection moulding {(injection moulding of ceramic slips B28B1/265; of tubular articles B28B21/38)} - B29C 45/0053: {combined with a final operation, e.g. shaping (injection-compression moulding B29C45/561)} - B29C 45/32: having several axially spaced mould cavities {, i.e. for making several separated articles} - G04B 13/02: Wheels; Pinions; Spindles; Pivots (bearings G04B31/00 {; chain wheels, spindles for chain wheels, also chains and driving weights G04B1/08}) - G04D 3/0074: {for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment} - B29C 2059/027: {Grinding; Polishing} - B29C 2791/009: Using laser - B29K 2905/00: Use of metals, their alloys or their compounds, as mould material - B29K 2995/0072: Roughness, e.g. anti-slip - B29L 2031/739: {Horology; Equipment therefor} - 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 (spring- or weight-driven mechanisms in general F03G; electromechanical clocks or watches G04C; electromechanical clocks with attached or built-in means operating any device at pre-selected times or after predetermined time intervals G04C23/00; clocks or watches with stop devices G04F7/08) - G04D: APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM - B28B: SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER (foundry moulding B22C; working stone or stone-like material B28D; shaping of substances in a plastic state, in general B29C; making layered products not composed wholly of these substances B32B) - 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 (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract The method for manufacturing a timepiece component (10) having at least one first portion with at least one functional flank, for transmitting energy to another component or dissipating energy from another component, and at least one second portion with a guide surface, includes carrying out a first micro-injection (E1) forming a blank (10′) of the timepiece component, the blank having the at least one first portion and the at least one functional flank and a blank of the second portion, then a second machining (E2), particularly a second laser machining, in particular femtosecond laser machining, of at least part of the blank of the timepiece component, this part including the blank of the second portion for forming the second portion with the guide surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for manufacturing a timepiece component comprising at least one first portion comprising at least one functional flank, for transmitting energy to another component or dissipating energy from another component, and at least one second portion comprising a guide surface, the method comprising: carrying out a first micro-injection forming a blank of the timepiece component, the blank comprising the at least one first portion and the at least one functional flank and comprising a blank of the second portion, then carrying out a second machining of at least one part of the blank of the timepiece component, the at least one part of the blank of the timepiece comprising the blank of the second portion for forming the second portion comprising the guide surface, the second machining being implemented excluding the at least one first portion, which remains unchanged during the second machining. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising a subsequent third tribofinishing, separate from the machining. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the third tribofinishing step has a duration less than or equal to 15 hours, so as to obtain a roughness Ra of the guide surface of less than 15 nm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first micro-injection comprises injecting a material into an injection cavity of an injection mould, the material being a polymer, a composite, a metal or a technical ceramic. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, wherein the injection mould comprises an injection cavity at least partially made from a material comprising nickel Ni or nickel phosphorous NiP, the injection cavity comprising a cut-out adapted to form the at least one functional flank of the first portion and/or to form the blank of the second portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, wherein the injection cavity of the injection mould comprises a shape that makes it possible to simultaneously manufacture a plurality of blanks for a timepiece component, rigidly connected to each other by an intermediate support, and in that wherein the method comprises separating the plurality of blanks from the intermediate support after removal from the mould. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the second machining comprises a second laser machining comprising a phase of turning about an axis of rotation corresponding to an axis of the blank, during which a laser beam is moved with respect to the axis of rotation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the second machining comprises a second laser machining, the laser of the second machining being a laser emitting an infrared laser beam, or a green laser beam, or an ultraviolet laser beam, or a blue laser beam. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first micro-injection produces the at least one functional flank having a surface roughness Ra less than or equal to 50 nm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the second machining comprises a second laser machining, the laser of the second machining producing a guide surface having a roughness Ra less than or equal to 50 nm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the second machining comprises gripping the blank for a timepiece component using a grip part, arranged at one end of the blank for a timepiece component, a length of the grip part being greater than a length of the timepiece component to be manufactured, in order to hold the blank for a timepiece component during machining, and wherein the second machining comprises a final parting-off of the grip part in order to remove the grip part and obtain the blank for a timepiece component having a length equal or substantially equal to the length of the timepiece component to be manufactured. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the timepiece component is a pinion integral with a shaft, or a shaft-mounted lever, or a shaft-mounted cam, or a balance staff provided with a notching. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the functional flank of the first portion is configured to transmit movement or torque. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface of the second portion comprises a surface of a pivot of the timepiece component and/or at least one section having a diameter less than or equal to 200 μm. ### Claim 15 A timepiece component comprising: at least one first portion comprising at least one functional flank, for transmitting energy to another component or dissipating energy from another component, and at least one second portion comprising a guide surface, wherein the first and second portions of the timepiece component are integrally formed in one piece and wherein the functional flank has a surface roughness Ra less than or equal to 50 nm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The timepiece component according to claim 15, wherein the first and second portions are made from a polymer, a composite, a metal or a technical ceramic. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The timepiece component according to claim 15, wherein the guide surface comprises a pivot forming a surface of revolution and comprising at least one section having a diameter less than or equal to 200 μm, and a roughness Ra less than 15 nm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The timepiece component according to claim 15, which is a pinion integral with a shaft, or a shaft-mounted yoke, or a shaft-mounted lever, or a shaft-mounted cam, or a balance staff provided with detents. ### Claim 19 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the third tribofinishing comprises a bluk polishing and/or implements abrasive particles and/or implements abrasive carriers. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the second machining comprises a laser machining and a finishing carrying out polishing using the same laser, reconfigured, as used for the laser machining.