Materials
ASULAB is active in three areas of materials science: polymers, metallurgy and ceramics. The company's efforts are concentrated on new materials and innovative forming techniques. The ultimate objective is an improvement of the visible parts of a watch: the case and the bracelet.
Polymers
In the past two decades, bonding has become a technique of widely acknowledged reliability, and it is used extensively in industrial production owing to the ease with which it can be applied and the way in which it can simplify product design. Watchmaking has very stringent requirements because in addition to the usual demands for strength and reliability, the aesthetic standards are extremely high. The adhesives developed at ASULAB are used mainly for watchcases, but they also find applications in microelectronics and jewellery. In addition, ASULAB develops and sells seals for watchcases in special polymers for designs in which the seal must also ensure the mechanical retaining function of the watch back.
Adhesive moulded components for watchcases
Metals
A watchcase might appear to be an object that has not evolved much for many years. However, such appearances are deceptive, for ASULAB has expended a great deal of energy in developing new non-metallic materials for watchcases and straps, in simplifying moulding techniques and in offering high-quality materials for inexpensive entry-level models.
ASULAB has adopted a pioneering role in the development of the MIM (Metal Injection Moulding) process and has developed this process initially for the manufacture of complex moulded parts from stainless steel alloys to such an extent that it can be used to manufacture non-porous, polishable components. This process is now being used commercially for the production of cases for the Swatch Irony watches.
This process enables the manufacture of complex moulded parts with significantly lower machining costs, and it facilitates the inexpensive production of components which can no longer be made by stamping or forging.
Stainless steel parts being loaded into the furnace before sintering
This process enables the manufacture of complex moulded parts with significantly lower machining costs, and it facilitates the inexpensive production of components which can no longer be made by stamping or forging.
Ceramics
Ceramics have confirmed their position as an outstanding material for watchcases, in particular throughout the Rado range. Research work at ASULAB has allowed the refinement of the CIM (Ceramic Injection Moulding) technique, which permits ceramic forming in a way similar to the MIM technology described above for metal components. As the hard ceramic parts are difficult to machine, the technology is particularly suited to these components. Research on additives has led to the development of ceramics pigmented throughout in various colours. In addition, surface treatments have been developed to give the ceramic materials, too, a metallic brilliance or a particular colour.
