Laser measures tools for watch parts

Blum-Novotest said it has become the chosen supplier of control systems and ultra high precision laser measuring cutting tool technology used on machine tools by the famous Swiss timekeeper from Le Locle, Christophe Claret In Le Locle, clean rooms and temperature controlled environments with noise absorbers are installed throughout the Christophe Claret's workshops

The components are manufactured in a controlled atmosphere where every movement is meticulously assembled by experts.

Precision to a one hundredth of a millimetre is standard; however the workshop often works to the scale of a micron or even a nanometre, which is the measurement for some digital controls.

The flow controls organise production from some 8,000 operative ranges, to which are added some 2,000 variations

The batches are very small, sometimes only about fifty parts, launched at the rate of five/year with about 10,000 reference parts circulating within the factory in order to supply around forty different complete watches.

Three huge vertical rotary, automated storage and retrieval bins, hold over four million watch elements in the process of being finished or ready to be assembled.

The stock of machines meets all requirements in terms of milling, jig-boring, electro-erosion, laser cutting, profile turning, gear-cutting and burnishing.

The workshop includes 18 CNC machining centres (the oldest is only four years old).

The founder never skimps on any expense in order to be equipped with industrial tools at the forefront of technology with quality improvement programs working at all levels.

Multi-purpose machine-tools (prismatic and revolving parts) are preferred because they allow 3-, 4- or 5-axis milling.

Christophe Claret has the aim of completing each part in 'one hit' working to within a 5 micron tolerance band.

* Tool measurement - One aspect of the Le Locle factory's operation is efficiency and manufacturing quality assurance: it makes systematic use of the Blum LaserControl NT-H for thousands of tools, drills, bits, taps and milling cutters that have to be examined and measured daily before use.

Programmable by the built-in microprocessor, this third-generation of laser technology for measuring cutting tools ensures reliability even in extreme conditions.

It provides maximum machining precision and the systematic verification of cutting edges at all rotation speeds.