Annual Report

2014

Wetenschappelijk & Technisch Onderzoeks- Centrum voor Diamant

WTOCD Plaslaar 50, B-2500 LIER

Tel: (03) 488 06 09

www.wtocd.be

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CCoonntteennttss

1 Management Organization of WTOCD ......................................................... 4

1.1 Members of the Algemene Raad (31/12/2014) .......................................................... 4

1.2 Members of the Bestendig Comité ............................................................................. 5

1.3 Director of WTOCD ................................................................................................... 5

1.4 Commissioners ........................................................................................................... 5

2 Research and service ............................................................................................ 6

2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 6

2.2 Research projects ........................................................................................................ 8 2.2.1 Grain independent polishing ......................................................................................... 8 2.2.2 Lumisense ..................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.3 Reflex .......................................................................................................................... 10 2.2.4 EOSFancy ................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.5 Morgana ...................................................................................................................... 12 2.2.6 Polishing tools ............................................................................................................. 13 2.2.7 M-Screen ..................................................................................................................... 14

2.3 Service activities (TAD) ........................................................................................... 15 2.3.1 Advice ......................................................................................................................... 15 2.3.2 Intellectual property rights .......................................................................................... 16 2.3.3 Website ........................................................................................................................ 17

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1 Management Organization of WTOCD

1.1 Members of the Algemene Raad (31/12/2014)

1.1.1 Fifteen members appointed by SBD

On behalf of "Syndicaat der Belgische Diamantnijverheid bv”:

Mr. E. DENCKENS (President) W. OLLECH P. VAN DER STEEN J. VAN EYCK B. DE HANTSETTERS A. VERHAERE S. FISCHLER

On behalf of "Vereniging van Kempische Diamantwerkgevers vzw": Mr. W. RUYTHOOREN

On behalf of "Antwerpsche Diamantkring cvba":

Mr. M. APSEL

On behalf of "Beurs voor Diamanthandel cvba": Mr. K. BAKHAI

On behalf of "Diamantclub van Antwerpen cvba":

Mr. K. SMETS

On behalf of "Vrije Diamanthandel nv": Mr. J. DRYBOOMS

On behalf of "Belgische Vereniging van Handelaars, In- en Uitvoerders van

Geslepen Diamant bv": mandate to be re-filled

On behalf of "Groepering der Industriediamantfirma's in België bv":

Mr. Ch. CYTO

On behalf of "Vereniging van Handelaars in Ruwe Diamant bv": Mr. R. STEIGRAD

1.1.2 One member manufacturer appointed by VKD

Mr. CHR. VAN EYNDT

1.1.3 One member appointed by VEV (Vice-President)

Mr. S. COUVREUR (until 19/11/2014)

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1.1.4 Two members appointed by ABVV Textiel, Kleding en Diamant

Mr. P. DE BACKER E. VERPLANCKEN

1.1.5 Two members appointed by ACV-Transcom

Mrs. M. DILLEN Mr. T. SIEMONS

1.1.6 Six members with exceptional knowledge in the field of scientific and

technological research

Three members appointed by Syndicaat der Belgische Diamantnijverheid: Mr. Prof. P. CLAUWS

Prof. G. VAN TENDELOO Prof. D. POELMAN

Three members appointed by IWT:

Mr. Prof. D. SCHOEMAKER Prof. J. VAN LANDUYT

Prof. H. REYNAERS

1.2 Members of the Bestendig Comité

President: Mr. E. DENCKENS (until 02/10/2014) Mr. P. VAN DER STEEN (from 02/10/2014)

Vice-President: Mr. S. COUVREUR (until 19/11/2014)

Mr. W. OLLECH

W. RUYTHOOREN B. DE HANTSETTERS prof. H. REYNAERS

M. DILLEN

1.3 Director of WTOCD

Mr. Y. KERREMANS

1.4 Commissioners

Mr. L. CORNELISSENS W. HENNEUSE

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From rough to polished

Development trajectory from lab version to commercial product

2 Research and service

2.1 Introduction

The activities of WTOCD can be divided in research and service. The service activities are an efficient means to offer solutions to questions coming directly from diamond compa-nies, but they also allow tuning of the research topics of WTOCD to the specific needs of the sector. Within the framework of the research activities in 2014, following research topics can be identified:

processing (Wasasonafhankelijk Slijpen, EOS Fancy en slijptools); measuring and evaluation (Lumisense, Reflex en Morgana); screening (M-Screen).

To optimize the transition from a lab version to a commercial product WTOCD uses so-called pre-prototypes. Those set-ups are already tuned to usage in a production environ-ment but do not yet contain all functionalities. The pre-prototypes are tested in the field and fine-tuned in close collaboration with a limited user group. The development trajec-tory from lab version to commercial product is shortened considerably by this early fine tuning to practical use in the diamond sector.

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In this annual report the research and service activities in 2014 are described. More in-formation can be found on www.wtocd.be. The TAD-activity (Technologische Adviesdienst) of WTOCD is no longer financially sup-ported by IWT. Due to the necessity of this activity WTOCD decided to continue this ser-vice without external financing. The service activities (TAD) of the research centre are de-livered in the form of an advice service, a patent service and the website. WTOCD also supported the different departments of HRD Antwerp (Equipment, Diamond Lab and Research).

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2.2 Research projects

2.2.1 Grain independent polishing

Description In the classical polishing process, crystal orientation of the diamond determines the re-moval rate. Therefore it is necessary to find the appropriate polishing direction, which re-quires special skills of the polisher. The classical polishing process also imposes technical restrictions because of the substantial rise in temperature in the polishing zone.

The project Grain Independent Polishing of Diamond aims to optimize a new polishing technique. Special attention is given to high material removal rate at low temperature and grain independency of the process.

Activities In 2014 the research focus was set on the development of a full automatic prototype of a polishing device based on the previous project results, experience and wishes of the po-tential users. The prototype will automatically process a planned rough diamond into a windowed result with defined excess. The polishing device is developed in co-operation with Coborn Engineering Ltd.

Parallel to the development the research to achieve optical surface quality in an automat-ic polishing process was continued.

Finally, in 2014, WTOCD has provided a license to Coborn Engineering Ltd. to use Grain Independent Polishing technology for a new polishing device for industrial super hard di-amond based materials.

Target Group Gem diamond industry and other industrial applications of diamond More information http://www.wtocd.be/nl/Projects/GIP.html

Computer presentation of WOSCAM

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2.2.2 Lumisense

Description

Lumisense aims at automating the colour grading process of polished diamonds. The classical method is based on visual observation. By using new technologies, Lumisense produces an extremely high correlation with human colour grading, better than other sys-tems. Lumisense is not restricted by fluorescence nor by the type of diamond and it can reveal the slightest changes in hues of colour. Activities In 2014 the measuring software of Lumisense was adapted to the optimized method for color grading of HRD Antwerp. WTOCD also improved the user software and a new calibration method was developed. Target Group Gem diamond trade More information http://www.wtocd.be/nl/Projects/lumisense.html

Diamond in Lumisense

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2.2.3 Reflex

Description All commercial proportion measuring systems for polished diamonds make use of the so-called shadow image technique. The accuracy and repeatability of the measurement de-pends largely on the limitations of this method. The aim of Reflex is to develop a measuring device that can measure polished stones with a much higher accuracy and repeatability. Activities In 2014 the general report for fancy was updated with additional data, such as length, width of the girdle and table, height of the girdle, upper and lower side. The software was updated to the newest image processing library. The devices in the Antwerp industry are maintained and supported. Target Group Gem diamond industry and trade More information http://www.wtocd.be/nl/Projects/reflex.html

Example of a Reflex-report for fancy shapes.

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2.2.4 EOSFancy

Description EOSFancy will make it possible to produce fancy shaped cuts in a (semi-)automatic way on a WTOCD EOS machine. Curved and linear girdles, and combinations of both, can be produced. Only a software upgrade and a more performing PC with a larger screen are necessary. The original EOS-device has been used, so minimal mechanical adjustments are required.

Activities In 2014 the four partner companies with a pre-prototype were further supported. During the first and second quarter of the year intensive support was given to HRD Ant-werp Equipment regarding problems with the manufacturing of the new EOS devices. To that aim an extensive study was done to survey the reasons of the problems. In addition to a report with clear advice, a software tool was developed to accomplish efficient and consistent QC-tests on new produced devices. Further advice was given regarding the commercial redesign of the EOS cutting device for round and fancy shaped diamonds.

During the last quarter, contacts were made with OGI Systems Ltd for the development of a transfer function from the OGI planning software for rough diamonds to the EOSFancy software. Testing and release of the new transfer function is planned for the first half of 2015. Target Group Gem diamond industry

EOSFancy

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2.2.5 Morgana

Description Traditionally a level is used to align tang plates to the scaife. Polishing tangs are also equipped with a level to monitor the position of the grain axis. This working method is not only cumbersome but also inaccurate leading to a waste of precious time. WTOCD developed a product group that offers a series of tools to the polisher. Four appli-cations can be identified:

the alignment of tang plates relative to the polishing scaife; the monitoring of the grain axis during the polishing process; the alignment of a facet on the polishing scaife; the checking of the setting of the stone in the tang.

Activities During 2014 WTOCD produced a setting unit to take into account material to be removed. The pre-prototype is put in test in the diamond industry.

Target Group Gem diamond industry

Morgana

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2.2.6 Polishing tools

Description The requirements for the polishing process of gem diamonds increases continuously. To meet the required accuracies, the polishers need optimized tools for the polishing process as well as to evaluate and follow up the polishing results. WTOCD researches two topics to reach an optimal situation in a production environment:

a tang plate with improved alignment options and limited wear

scaifes with improved flatness for material removal and for “zoeten”;

Activities Tang Plates In 2014 the focus was set on the evaluation of the achieved results from the industrial tests and on the development of a final product ready for the industry. Several dimen-sional corrections are worked out and tested in a production environment. The proposed final product was evaluated positive by the users and will be taken into production in 2015, the commercial name will be “CAMLANN”. Scaifs As a result of the manufacturing process scaifs run conical to the center, and this makes the polishing process more difficult. During 2014 several alternative processing methods for the scaifs were analyzed, tested and evaluated by the industry. A perfect flatness of the scaifs was achieved with a good absorption of the polishing me-dium (zoetpasta). End 2014 WTOCD has bought several scaifs and prepared them with the new method to test extensively and on the long term in cooperation with the indus-try. Target Group Gem diamond industry

CAMLANN-tang plate

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2.2.7 M-Screen

Description For the detection of synthetic and/or colour enhanced diamond one appeals to a diamond lab which has the necessary specialist knowledge and equipment. Screening devices allow in certain cases to differentiate between natural untreated dia-monds on the one hand and potential synthetic and/or colour improved diamond on the other hand. The existing devices are manually operated and developed for diamonds of at least 10 to 20 points. Practice shows that they are not suitable to screen batches of little stones. Therefore WTOCD started with the development of M-screen, an automatic, fast batch screener for melee from 1 point and up.

Activities In 2014 WTOCD worked with the highest priority on M-Screen, an automatic batch screener of melee diamonds. The different aspects were examined and elaborated: feed-ing, detection of simulants, screening for potential synthetic and HPHT-color enhanced diamond, separation and general conditioning. Research showed that automatic screening of melee diamond from 1 point is possible with a speed of at least 1 diamond per second Early 2015 an arrangement will be available for extensive in-house testing in Lier. During the first quarter of 2015 a pre-prototype is planned for testing in Antwerp. Target Group Gem diamond trade

Functional principle of M-Screen

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2.3 Service activities (TAD)

2.3.1 Advice

Description The TAD service is not financially supported any more in this form by IWT. Due to the ne-cessity of this activity WTOCD decided to continue this service without external financing. Activities In 2014 approximately 1 FTE was spent on the TAD-activity:

The “State of the art mailing list” – giving information on patents related to the diamond sector – was distributed (no. 115 t/m 121).

Promotional articles were published on Lamia Tangpin.

The introduction of new techniques was supported in following fields:

o EOSFancy; o AvalonPlus; o Reflex; o WOS; o Morgana; o Lamia tangpin; o Camlann tangplate.

Questions from the sector were answered in the form of technological advice.

More information http://www.wtocd.be/nl/TAD/tad-main.html

Article “Lamia, meer dan gewoon een tangpin” in SBD Magazine

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2.3.2 Intellectual property rights

Description Via its TAD service, WTOCD informs the diamond industry on diamond-related patents. It assists diamantaires to apply for patents, trademarks and design patents and gives ad-vice in case of possible infringement of intellectual property rights. Activities In 2014 the “State of the Art” service reported, in its monthly mailing, new patent appli-cations or grants related to diamond. A subscription form is available on http://www.wtocd.be/en/TAD/fullquestionform.html. More information

http://www.wtocd.be/nl/TAD/patents.html

Example of a diamond related patent in the State of the art mailing service

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2.3.3 Website

Description

The website of WTOCD informs on current research projects and the results of previous projects that led to ready-to-use solutions or services. Some projects are extensively documented, others have a non-disclosure status and are only described by an identity kit. Activities In 2014 WTOCD started with a renewal of the website. Because of the priority projects, the launching of the website was postponed to 2015. Except from the standard mainte-nance no significant changes were made to the website. The number of visitors increased by 6% of which 22% recurring and 78% new visitors. The main topics are Hearts & Arrows, D-Screen and Lumisense. Given the further in-crease compared to last year (6.7% in 2013) the launching of a renewal of the website with an increased interactivity is necessary to boost the number of visitors.

Analysis of the numbers of visitors of the website

www.wtocd.be – Monthly number of visitors

www.wtocd.be - Geographical distribution of visitors

Research and Innovation

in all its facets

www.wtocd.be