I propose a little tour in the Vianney Halter's manufacture. This will give you an overview of the production tools. Most of the tools are from the golden age of the precision tooling industry so don't make any mistake although some might look old, they are still at the edge of the precision machines and very desirable. Well maybe too much from my point of view as the prices keep on growing as the availability decreases.
Ground floor, R&D, as well as galvanoplasty, decoration (Perlage / Cotes de Genève) :
Bruno is in charge of the CAD area as well as prototyping. They are using Inventor as well as Tellwatch for some simulations. Bruno did really boost the CAD approach in Janvier.
In his back, the Galvano unit but we'll come back in details on this process
Sensitive drilling machine for the Perlage
The Cote de Genèves machine :
Ho, well, it's not a chiming watch, but :
The new CN milling unit being tested on plexyglass
This machine is an homemade transformation of a metrology tool. Its accuracy thanks to it's structure/geometry/quality of assembly is greatly appreciated. Three step by step motors, water cooled, are controling X-Y-Z and another one for the milling that will be soon controlled as well. Christian H, did this transformation as well as the first machine we'll find at the upper floor.
Christian H, Vianney's brother, discussing with Bruno about some fine tuning ont the new CN machine
First floor, machinery floor :
The first CN machine. This one doesn't have a controlled Z so it's just a binary up/down controled axis. This is already enough for basic 2D parts cutting.
Some parts made out of this machine :
Aciera F3 milling machine :
A Jig borer machine from Deckel. This is a machine I totally fell in love with.
Another Jig Borer machine. Very well equiped but not frequently used in the watchmaking business. But in this following set of three big machines, it could be pretty useful for making some tools as watchmakers always need some specific ones. Well, we also have to admit that they are also used for the other passions Vianney has such as old cars and planes ...
Big Saw
Big Lathe
A very desirable couple of Schaublin Lathe :
This one is used to make the screwing parts of the cases for instance.
Lip flatening machine
Schaublin milling machine
Hauser profile projector :
EDM machine for drilling
One of the sharpening machines to make your own cutting tools.
Overview of one part of this floor but are missing, the ovens and hardening area.
Second floor, watchmaker and office floor :
Administrative as well as Vianney's office, with a strange but very intersting collection of various indicators.
The room where is made the engraving, beveling, and with some watchmaker's tools
Very nice Dixi cutting machine and very rare :
A set of Schaublin lathes
Aciera F1 machine in green and a Hauser jig borer machine with the big brown wheels
Another Schaublin lathe but with a specific configuration in order to use it with the Hauser beside, and as a Burin Fixe. We'll come back to this tool in another post. And again, I totally fell in love for this amazing tool.
A set of watchmaker's 6mm lathes
In a separate room, the polishing :
That should be quite easy to understand even if you ca'nt read french.
The watchmaker's room for the assembly :
There is another floor left, with an amazing collection of big clocks. You know, the ones you find in churchs as well as city hall buildings.