The laser's areas of application in the watch and jewelry industry
Seamless circumferential laser engraving on rings
The seamless circumferential laser engraving and marking on the circumference of rings is one of the most challenging tasks in the field of laser machining. The precise ACSYS machining systems with their NC-controlled dividing heads and the LAS - Live Adjust System preview of the result on screen ensure maximum precision and repeatability for high traversing speeds.
Inner ring marking and engraving of cambered rings.
The inner marking of cambered rings as well as the seamless circumferential laser engraving and marking on the circumference of rings are one of the highest skills in the field of jewelry refinement. ACSYS laser machining systems are characterized by maximum precision and flexible configurability.
2.5D and 3D laser engraving
The image on the right shows the basic principle of 3D laser engraving.
With 2.5D and 3D laser engraving, the surface of the workpiece is removed to a certain depth in a software-controlled process. The material is evaporated layer by layer so that the desired structure gradually appears.
High-precision depth removal in three dimensions is made possible with the AC LASER Software and laser machining centers by ACSYS.
2.5D and 3D laser engraving by means of software-controlled removal of material
2.5D and 3D engraving differs from deep engraving in the extent of software-controlled depth removal. This way, predefined edge angles for jewelry can be realized as easily as complex three-dimensional surface textures / structures on a wide variety of very different materials.
3D laser engraving and excellent processing times
3D laser engraving allows the creation of a three-dimensional surface structure on a wide range of very different materials. In the watch and jewelry industry, in particular, ACSYS machining centers are combined with the AC-LASER Software in order to ensure maximum efficiency. All process steps - from the creation of the file to the output at the laser - are perfectly coordinated and provide the user with an intuitive workflow.
Frosting and surface texturing
The laser can be used for the defined structuring of tool surfaces. Typically, relatively small structural elements that are repeated continuously, but not necessarily visibly, are engraved in order to create a smooth - and in some cases polished - surface. Lasers have a special role in areas where this structure is transferred to molded workpieces.
Another application is selective "frosting" of polished surfaces. Unlike the process, in which paint or a similar protective coating is first applied to the die and then manually removed from certain areas that are to be frosted under the microscope using a scalpel before irradiation, frosting with a laser machining system requires considerably less effort. The entire process time is significantly reduced and the result no longer depends on an employee's steady hand.
The areas that are to be frosted can be defined comfortably on the screen with the mouse under high magnification, and errors can be corrected easily with just a few mouse clicks. Also, lasers open up entirely new possibilities in terms of design, since - in addition to traditional frosting with the aim of producing a matt surface - an unlimited number of other textures with interesting visual effects can be applied.
Reflections
A process that has been developed by ACSYS for the exact replication of the "sandblasting" effect when laser frosting.
Laser fine-cutting of jewelry
Laser fusion cutting uses reaction-inhibiting nitrogen or argon as the cutting gas. The nitrogen or argon is driven into the cutting joint at pressures of up to 20 bar. The specific properties of this gas cool the material and prevent any oxidation at the cutting edge.
This process is suitable for thin sheets and in situations where the workpieces must fulfill high visual requirements without further processing.
Separating of materials acc. to highest visual standards without burr build-up. We are fulfilling this requirement as standard. In addition, dividing heads allow the cutting on the circumference of round external surfaces.
Laser machining of diver's bezels
The flexibility of lasers when selecting fonts and highly diverse design options offer the user almost unlimited design possibilities. The example on the left shows two processes:
Paint was removed from the left-hand bezel using the laser, while the numbers and shapes were engraved in the metal.
The bezel on the right has the numbers and shapes engraved with the laser and then filled-in with paint.
OPR - Optical Part Recognition
The optical part recognition enables the fully automated processing of non-palletized loose parts. In the example on the left, the high-resolution camera automatically recognizes the arrangement and rotational angle of the coin minting stamp. Then the laser imprints a frosting and an authenticity certificate in the same location.
The component from the software's perspective. The software recognizes the position and rotational angle of the workpieces and marks or engraves in the previously trained location. This example deals with very small plastic parts for high-precision ball bearings. In this example, 180 components were automatically marked on a surface of 580 x 485 mm² in a single working step.
Seeing and recognizing are not the same thing. A short film about the subject of OPR using the example of a SHARK. This example deals with lens rings, whose position and rotational angle are recognized and which are automatically machined.
The OPR - Optical Part Recognition consists of a camera and software module. It recognizes the type and position of loose and non-palletized workpieces and machines them in fully automated mode. The OPR module allows highly efficient stack processing.
ODC - Online Depth Control
For depth engraving and 3D engraving, the material is removed down to μm-level, ensuring high-precision results. The ODC module measures the actual engraving depth contact-free and controls the exact target depth of the laser.
Free-form surfaces can also be sampled and digitized with the ODC module, making them easy to process.
Ultra-high-resolution cameras and dual-camera preview
The LAS - Live Adjust System camera set-up module by ACSYS makes working with the laser very efficient.
2D and 3D graphics as well as texts can be edited directly on the workpiece using camera-based editing. A dual-camera solution provides an additional ultra-high-resolution preview of the workpiece straight through the laser beam.
LAS - Live Adjust System® dual-camera.
ACSYS offers a two-camera solution for maximum precision in machining tasks. The first camera shows the entire working area and provides the operator with an overview of the workpieces that are to be machined. This is the basic function of the LAS - Live Adjust System.
LAS Dual with a straight camera. LAS Dual with a camera at an angle.
The second camera is pointed straight through the laser beam path and allows a partial high-resolution view of the workpiece that is to be machined.
Efficiency with ACSYS:
The
LAS - Live Adjust System
camera setup module at a glance.
Precise and immediate.
The LAS - Live Adjust System by ACSYS offers customers the quickest and easiest way of setting up machines.
The workpiece in the machine is shown as a "live" image on the laser system's monitor using a high-resolution camera. The operator can place layouts right at the workpiece that is to be machined. He can also insert writing, design barcodes or DataMatrix codes, etc. on screen.
The LAS offers comprehensive and intuitive functions, such as zoom, contrast and other imaging functions.
Laser side engraving
The precise set-up functionality of the LAS - Live Adjust System gives the user several decisive advantages: reduced scrap, designing directly on the workpiece, and 100% repeatable accuracy.
The ACSYS high-precision dividing heads allow the rotary machining of jewelry from all sides.
Laser engraving on carbon and titanium
The flexible fiber laser technology allows the processing of different materials in a single working step. The image on the right shows a bi-material ring made of carbon and titanium. The ring was seamlessly engraved on its circumference directly into the carbon using the laser. The inner engraving in titanium as well as the outer engraving were made using a dividing head.
OYSTER
PIRANHA
BARRACUDA
SHARK
Laser machining center. Impressive performance with maximum precision. » Go to the SHARK Laser machining center
ORCA
INLINER
Options
For every need
We can offer you machine extensions
using different
options provided by
ACSYS in order
to configure the
perfect
production
equipment
for your
specific requirements.
Your application
Your requirement is what
motivates us.
According to this motto,
we are taking on your
challenge and work
together with you in
order to find the
best possible
solution for
your application
requirements.