Wire guide for mosaic printer - uses welded gemstone parts to provide high strength and chemical and thermal resistance

摘要

The two gemstone parts (1, 2) can be welded together by a thermo compression technique in which case a fine aluminium wire is employed laid along the side to be joined. The parts are then pressed together and heat applied to form the joints (5, 6). In this case a temp. of approx 630 deg.C is appropriate and a pressure of 1 to 1.5 kp/mm2 is used. In order to ensure that the gaps left for the printing wires are of suitable size, gauging wires (14, 15) are placed between the parts during the wlding process. The wires have a diameter somewhat greater than that of the printing wires and are made of the same gemstone material as the parts so as to exhibit the same thermal expansion during the welding.