MENU
1. General description
The hour wheel is generally made of brass for two reasons. First, it is driven by the minute pinion, which is itself made of steel. On the other hand, it pivots in direct friction on the cannon pinion in steel. Given that the steel-brass combination is optimal for limiting friction, the choice of this material to manufacture the Hour wheel seems obvious.
Technically, the Hour wheel is a simple part. A thin plate of large diameter, on the periphery of which the teeth are cut, forms the base. At the center of this base rises a tall tube (the Pipe, which also gives the Hour wheel the name pipe wheel). At the top of the Pipe of the Hour wheel, a seat allows the Hand of the hours to be driven in.
The Hour wheel is driven by the minute pinion and it makes 1 turn every 12 hours when the Dial is displayed over twelve hours.
Figure 1
Diagram of an Hour wheel
Click on the thumbnail to enlarge it
2. History
The appearance of the hour wheel is linked to that of the Motion work of which Daniel Quare appears to be the inventor in the middle of the 17th century. Before the two hands were displayed concentrically at the center of the Movement, the hour wheel simply had no reason to exist. As simple in its function as in its construction, the hour wheel has not undergone any major evolution in four centuries!
3. Handcrafted manufacture of an hour wheel
The hour wheel is easy to manufacture regardless of the method used. Only a few diameters (total toothing, pipe, hand seat) need to be turned on it. A simple Lathe lathe is amply sufficient to make them. The teeth can be cut on the same lathe using a dividing tool or subsequently using a gear-cutting machine.
Due to the circular friction it undergoes (with the Cannon pinion, under the Dial), the cannon pinion wheel is generally decorated with a simple Satin finish circular finish, easy and quick to achieve (Buff / lathe).
4. Industrial production of an hour wheel
The hour wheel is easy to manufacture regardless of the method used. Only a few diameters (total teeth, pipe, seat of the Hand) need to be turned. For industrial production, the Automatic lathe is once again the ideal tool. It can be used to cut the toothing, and only the few simple steps of its Decoration will be undertaken after the component has been machined.
This page was automatically translated from the French reference version using an artificial intelligence tool. Errors or inaccuracies may remain. If you notice any, especially if this is your native language, please feel free to report them to info@horopedia.org. Your contribution helps us improve the quality of the encyclopedia.
While awaiting their translation, images and videos remain temporarily displayed in French.
Thank you for your understanding.