A robot that cuts the perfect diamond? This revolutionary invention turned the diamond industry upside down. Ever since Marcel Tolkowski of Antwerp began his mathematical calculation for cutting rough diamonds in 1919, we have seen a wave of innovation emerge.
Cutting Robot and the Benefits of Using a Robot
Antwerp has long been considered the undisputed global center for the diamond trade, while India has an increasing share of the diamond cutting sector. Today 92% of the world's rough diamonds are processed in Surat, India. In this context, the Diamond Scientific and Technical Research Center (WTOCD) has developed a cutting machine at the request of the Antwerp-based diamond producers.
The robot carver allows you to analyze, map and re-cut small stones. Until recently, high labor costs were an insurmountable obstacle. And, of course, the skills and experience of a human carver are still required.
The Fenix robot has an unrivaled ability to cut rough diamonds. In addition, it allows for sharper shapes such as round, pear-shaped, awning or oval. Even bizarre shapes are now possible, which until recently were unthinkable. This opens up many opportunities for new trends and personalization in diamond jewelry.
What is special about the Fenix diamond cutter robot?
The cutting robot and Fenix software can perform a variety of tasks such as job planning and preparation, shape and orientation for cutting rough diamonds, detecting potential inclusions, and assessing opportunities.
The robot performs a series of operations that are very difficult, if not impossible, for human incisors. Unlike the conventional cutting process, Fenix does not take into account the so-called washing direction. It depends on the crystal structure of the diamond. In the opposite direction to washing the rough diamond, an unwanted off-white surface is formed, resulting in poor light reflection. Due to the difficult direction of flushing, many rough diamonds have only recently been cut. With Fenix, this problem has been resolved.
Fenix cuts stones that could not be cut before. During the testing phase, Fenix worked on unpolished stones that had been waiting for the right technology for over 50 years. Even stones oriented in two directions were turned into beautifully cut diamonds by the robot.
Extremely precise cutting with Fenix
Fenix quickly and accurately transforms rough gems into
sparkling diamonds. Fenix can cut diamonds that even the most experienced
cutters cannot handle. And this is where added value lies. Less waste, and the
pads are cut more efficiently.
When hand cut, the temperature of the gem rises rapidly.
This causes the metal base of the diamond to expand and creates possible
measurement error margins. With Fenix, the temperature of the stone does not
exceed 35 degrees Celsius. The result: no distortion, no room for error and a
more beautiful appearance, more symmetrical diamonds in less time. For a
1-carat diamond, the cutter needs a whole day. Fenix cuts it in just 1 hour.
Why diamond cutters shouldn't be afraid of their job
However, the last word always rests with the diamond
cutter. Human experience and knowledge, combined with the excellent cutting
performance of the machine, guarantee optimal results.
Rough diamonds are dusty and non-shiny. Only by polishing
a gemstone to give it a certain shape can a beautiful diamond be obtained,
which, for example, can be placed in a wedding ring. Every conclusion made
before, during and after the cutting process affects the final value of a
diamond. The slicing process consists of 5 steps:
- Planning
- Cut and shape
- Sandblasting or misting
- Carving and cutting
- inspection
More news that we will see in the coming years
Fenix has
revolutionized the diamond industry. And there are many innovations here.
Until a few years ago, a ring made entirely of diamonds
was a utopia. The ring usually consists of a precious metal set with diamonds.
But thanks to modern diamond cutting technology, there is now a solution. In
2012, the Swiss diamond trader Mohammed Chavesh of Shawish Jewelry presented
the first ever diamond ring. The cutting process took over a year, despite
modern cutting technologies and lasers. The ring was cut from a single piece of
diamond to a 150-carat gemstone. So, of course, you have to pay a very high
price: 52.5 million euros. It will probably take some time before the general
public can acquire a ring made entirely of diamonds. In particular, price is an
obstacle.
The robot performs
a series of operations that are very difficult, if not impossible, for human
incisors.
Jony Ive, Apple's chief designer, and Mark Newson also
designed the diamond ring. Unlike the Shawish ring, this is a synthetic
diamond. Sotheby's estimates that the ring will sell for between $ 150,000 and
$ 250,000. It ended up selling for just over $ 250,000.
In other news, Belgian Giovanni Dams from Kessel
developed a fully automatic diamond setting machine in 2018. It can set diamond
jewelry 15-20 times faster than by hand. The machine was first presented at the
China International Import Expo. Dams' company has already developed several
machines that automate processes in the diamond and jewelry industry, such as
sorter, polisher and quality control automation. The crimping machine is his
latest addition. Each stone placed by the placement machine is 100% correct and
of the same quality as the stone placed by hand.