ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AND DRIE (DEEP REACTIVE ION ETCHING)
Since the last decade of the 20th century, new technologies have been revolutionizing, or are on the verge of revolutionizing, the manufacturing of certain horological components. Very often, new alloys or previously unheard-of materials are associated with them. Although it frequently involves complex equipment, this chapter focuses more on their manufacturing processes than on the various machines or equipment they require.
THE MANUFACTURING OF COMPONENTS USING UV-LIGA ELECTROFORMING TECHNOLOGY
Appearing in 1998, this additive component manufacturing technology combines lithography (through exposure to UV light) and Electroforming. The UV-LIGA acronym directly refers to this. Traditional manufacturing methods are generally associated with the use of a specific type of machine (machining center, stamping press or Electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine). UV-LIGA technology is more of a manufacturing process segmented into different steps.
MANUFACTURING OF SILICON COMPONENTS BY DEEP REACTIVE ION ETCHING (DRIE (Deep Reactive Ion Etching))
Silicon and its deep etching implementation technique (DRIE (Deep Reactive Ion Etching)) appeared in horology as early as 2006. The properties of Silicon offer numerous advantages and make it a prized material, particularly for the manufacturing of escapements and hairsprings.
MANUFACTURING COMPONENTS BY SELECTIVE LASER MELTING (SLM)
This is an Additive manufacturing technology (3D printing) using laser fusion of metal alloys. It opens up new horizons in terms of style, design, and technicality.
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