The precision of a Swiss clock of high range

The company enjoys of an excellent international reputation, thanks to his passion by the innovative solutions and to his technological spirit pioneer. As one of mark them leaders to world-wide level in the segment of clocks of high range, IWC produces no only sportive clocks, as the ones of flyer and of diving, but also chronometers of high complexity for the segment of the High Watchmaking. Several models have special functions, such as the ‘perpetual calendar', invented by IWC, which shows the correct date, even in the years bisiestos. From time to time, the relojeros work in a master work during several weeks.

The production of IWC executes with the precision associated to a Swiss clock. The research of perfection of the company demands a mastery artesanal, as well as excellent specialists with a lot of years of experience. A sophisticated system of control of quality is an absolute need. So that a clock can show always the exact time, each one of the diminutas pieces have to fit perfectly between himself. The tolerances for many of these dimensions are of so only 2 micrométros. For having a reference, the diameter of a human hair is of around 100 micrometers. The special characteristics of a clock IWC suppose an additional complexity in the inspection of design, setting and quality of these manufactures.

Until four years ago, IWC had based mainly in a control of quality realised with manual measurements, using diverse useful of control for the different models and sizes of clocks. But then it presented a new process that allowed to do affirmations differentiated regarding control of quality with a minimum effort – with the Industrial Metrology of Carl Zeiss of his side: “IWC Schaffhausen is a company of international growth that combines the precision, technology, perfection and originality in his products”, says Bregel. “In the transcurso of our expansion, have decided to trust a partner of control of quality that also live these values”, affirms Bregel explaining the association with Carl Zeiss. The high exigencias of the IWC reflect now in a concept of control of efficient quality, that covers from processes adapted and machines of suitable measurement, in addition to an appropriate software for the configuration of the programs of measurement and until a system of gestión of data intelligently structured. The key for the selection of Carl Zeiss: the global approach. After all, there is much more of a process of measurement that of the machine like such. In accordance with Thomas Bregel, the experience and the development of knowledges specialised also are key factors, something by what are known the experts in optics of Oberkochen.

IWC Has used the machines of measurement of coordinates of Carl Zeiss for the control of his production from the year 2007, for the initial inspection, intermediate and final.

Complement to the team of manual control, and unlike the systems of optical measurement of the past, are ideal to check the dimensions of height and perforaciones. The association began in 2007 with four machines of measurement by optics and contact Or-Inspect in the laboratories of measurement of the two centres of production in Schaffhausen and Neuhausen. The systems of multiple sensors check the position and characteristic of the form of the different pieces of the clock. The machines initiate the measurement with so only presses a button. For a measurement by contact, a palpador scans in contínuo the piece on the base of the program of measurement specify. The data purchased use automatically for the statistical evaluation. The Or-Inspect verifies the curves and outlines ópticamente by means of an integrated cheese cheese camera. In addition to the Or-Inspect, the company has of two machines of measurement by coordinates Zeiss Duramax, in operation from 2007. Because of his small size and to his capacity to work under distinct fluctuations of temperature, these robust equipment can use directly in the line of production. The results are quickly available so that the personnel can put in practice the corrections directly in the production.

“With the new machines of measurement by coordinates, are attaining the maximum of precision in the measurement”, adds Thomas Bregel. The new concept of measurement has allowed to IWC increase his efficiency in the control of quality. The additional information issued by the machines of measurement about a piece, is important for the correction of adjust them and tools of the machine. On the other hand, the designers receive information more precise on the feasibility of the components that have designed: no only they know if a piece adjusts to the requirements of the plane, but also if it can manufacture . The results of the measurement also allow him know to the workers where have produced deviations. These knowledges are used by the designers to improve the future designs.

Measurement 3D in only some minutes

The results of the measurement no only contain more information, but also the new concept of measurement reduces the effort in the control of quality. An alone machine is all what now needs , in place of multiple calibrate of measurement. You scheme them of measurement by coordinates realise complex measurements 3D in so only few minutes. Control the position of 2 taladros from the inferior part of the plate or the flat surface of the piece of the clock, is now a game of boys. The systems of paletizado, with the kit corresponding of tie up of the small pieces, also allow the manufacturing of these for the following measurement while still it is executing a measurement, in consequence increasing the performance and the optimisation of the machines.

Besides, the technicians of measurement can configure a new series on the base of the planes designed just from the start -even before the first pieces have been produced. “This by himself only is a key appearance in our decision to work with Carl Zeiss”, remembers Thomas Bregel. The improvements are not the only result of the machines of measurement of coordinates; the software PiWeb and Calypso are also splits of the concept of measure. All the machines of measurement are programmed off line with Calypso. Depending on the piece, the technicians specify the characteristic measures on the base of the model CAD. Once the piece has been created, can be set up easily by personnel without learning.

The connection in network of the machines and a concept of load and integral operation, simplify the operation of the machines. This allows to the employees measure flexiblemente each component with each one of the six machines, to reduce necks of bottle. The software of documentation of quality PiWeb connects the machines basing in the web. All the results of measurement are handled from a head office of database. PiWeb Supports the analysis, statistical evaluation, manufacturing and documentation of the information. “With PiWeb, can easy and transparentemente design the registers of measure. This was vital for the acceptance of the personnel of production” signals Bregel.

On the other hand, the results can be used on a long-term basis to optimise the design of the future models. IWC Has been developing chronometers with retention of value during more than 140 years. His complex and excellent functionality ease of use are codiciadas by the lovers of the clocks that expect more than his chronometers that the exact hour. They are, definitely, expecting see anxiously which developments have reserved for the future the engineers of Schaffhausen. Independently of what offer the future, the relojero will follow trusting Carl Zeiss for his activities of control of quality: “we Are safe that the company will be able to help us to dominate the challenges that en el futuro can find”, indicates Bregel.