WatchTech

I recall John having aquired a 3D-printer quite a while ago. So I wanted to ask about his experiences with this technology. My curiosity was stimulated by a report by Rainer Nienaber I read a short while ago. Rainer is very eager to try out new technologi...  

In the mean time the materials are improving. I have now seen plastic rapid prototyping parts used successfully in automotive prototypes, but for watchmaking I think they are still far away. Those automotive people think that a 3mm screw is miniscule. But... 

Here is a 3D-printed tourbillon I made, it is at 1000% scale. ...  

This is interesting! However, from your post title, I had expected the technical breakthrough of a tiny wristwatch tourbillon from the 3d printer. Somehow I am relieved to see that technology has not come so far already. Your tourbillon has an interesting... 

That's the carriage counterweight. The orange is the balance wheel. Here is another photo showing it with the hairspring installed. It works well. Now, I'm focusing on a version with a symmetrical co-axial escapement instead of a lever. ...  

Maybe you'll find the time to make a video of your printed tourbillon operating? Marcus

I have a video on my Facebook, I'm not sure how to upload it here

Thanks Nick. Why not YouTube it? Share it with the whole world. :-)

Can you please double check it and repost? Thanks!

try this one: <iframe width="640" height="480" src="/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> EDIT: I embedded the video, so it can be viewed directly in this post. Marcus

And perfectly awesome. Thanks!

Awesome, thanks for sharing the video. Regards, ED-209

Here are two more photos, showing different stages of work on the carriage, and the hairspring. ...  

Hello Marcus, I've started a blog devoted to my adventures in 3d printing (well, mostly about building my bot, which has spun out into an OCD steampunk modified creation of completely indefensible time and effort) that you can likely google just looking f...  

horological 3d printing can be thought of in terms of a "pick any two" euler diagram - material, resolution and price. technology exists to print at a resolution usable a watch scale, fully assembled, in suitable materials (different metal alloys), but th...