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Title:
MEANS AND METHOD OF COMPUTER-AIDED MANUFACTURING OF POLISHED GEMSTONES FROM ROUGH OR SEMI PROCESSED GEMSTONES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2006/087702
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
By means of a gemstones' processing system adapted to produce a faceted gemstone from a rough or half-processed gemstone (raw material) wherein said processing system comprising a processing tool adapted to provide said faceted gemstone with a plane facet of predetermined three-dimensional (3D) coordinates (coordinated facet), and a holder adapted to both immobilize said raw material and further to introduce it to said processing tool in 3D coordinated manner such a facet is provided; a method comprising calculating a 3D coordinates of at least one reference indicium (origin) (35) located within or on the surface of said faceted gemstone; providing a 3D coordinated model of the faceted gemstone (coordinated model) wherein 3D coordinates of the facets are determined in respect to said origin (35); and, processing said facets in a sequence of processing steps in the manner that each processing step is terminate wherein the 3D coordinates of the facet processed by said processing tool is identical to the 3D coordinates of the corresponding facet provided in the coordinated model.

Inventors:
PORAT ZVI (IL)
Application Number:
PCT/IL2006/000183
Publication Date:
August 24, 2006
Filing Date:
February 13, 2006
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
DIALIT LTD (IL)
PORAT ZVI (IL)
International Classes:
B24B9/16; B24B51/00
Domestic Patent References:
WO2003053632A22003-07-03
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Bressler, Eyal (11 Tuval St, Ramat Gan, IL)
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Claims:
CLAIMS
1. By means of a gemstones' processing system adapted to produce a faceted gemstone from a rough or halfprocessed gemstone (raw material) wherein said processing system comprising a processing tool adapted to provide said faceted gemstone with a plane facet of predetermined threedimensional (3D) coordinates (coordinated facet), and a holder adapted to both immobilize said raw material and further to introduce it to said processing tool in 3D coordinated manner such a facet is provided; a method comprising calculating a 3D coordinates of at least one reference indicium (origin) located within or on the surface of said faceted gemstone; providing a 3D coordinated model of the faceted gemstone (coordinated model) wherein 3D coordinates of the facets are determined in respect to said origin; and, processing said facets in a sequence of processing steps in the manner that each processing step is terminate wherein the 3D coordinates of the facet processed by said processing tool is identical to the 3D coordinates of the corresponding facet provided in the coordinated model.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gemstone is diamond.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing comprise gemstone 's manufacturing activities selected from a group of gemstone 's cleaving, sawing, faceting; girdling, bruting, polishing or any combination thereof.
4. The method according to claim 1, additionally comprising providing an initial optimized 3D structure of the gemstone.
5. The method according to claim 4, additionally comprising calculating a coordinated model from the initial optimized 3D structure of the gemstone.
6. The method according to claim 1 or any of its dependent claim, comprising providing the raw material 2D coordinates by means of 2D coordinated holder (first reference indicium); and further providing for at least a second reference indicium providing the raw material with a measurable 3D coordinates..
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the second reference indicium is the origin.
8. The method according to claim 6 wherein at least one noticeable location in or on the raw material, excluding a location in or on the surface of the faceted gemstone, is provided as the second reference indicium.
9. The method according to claim 6 wherein the second reference indicium is located on or adjacent to the holder or to a member in connection thereof.
10. The method according to claim 1 or to any of its dependent claim wherein the termination point of each processing step is determined in respect to a third reference indicium.
11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the third reference indicium is the origin.
12. The method according to claim 10 wherein at least one noticeable location in or on the raw material excluding location in or on the surface of the faceted gemstone is provided as the third reference indicium.
13. The method according to claim 10 wherein the third reference indicium is located on or adjacent to the holder or to a member in connection thereof.
14. The method according to claim 1 or to any of its dependent claims comprising calculating the 3D coordinates of each of the facets of the faceted gemstone by parameters selected from DIV, TILT and MIC, wherein said parameters are related to the origin's 3D coordinates.
15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the coordinated facets are provided in sets of unified parameters, such that all facets sharing identical TILT and MIC parameters and have symmetrically similar DIV parameters are belong to said set of unified parameters.
16. The method according to claim 15 comprising inter alia processing a first facet; if another unprocessed facet is exist in this set of unified parameters, maneuvering the gemstone in a predetermined DIV measure; and, processing the same.
17. The method according to claim 15 comprising inter alia processing a facet; if the set of unified parameters does not comprised of unprocessed facet, maneuvering the gemstone in a predetermined DIV measure; and, processing the first facet of the following facet or set of facets sharing unified parameters.
18. The method according to claim 1 or to any of its dependent claims; comprising: obtaining an initial gemstone 3D scheme of the faceted gemstone, said scheme is an optimal structure of faceted gemstone maximizing the economical benefit structure that may be obtained from the raw material; calculating the origin's 3D coordinates; calculating facets' 3D coordinates in respect to said origin's 3D coordinates; placing the gemstone in the processing system by immobilizing it to a holder which its 2D coordinates are measurable; obtaining at least one reference indicium such that the raw material is maneuvered towards its starting point; maneuvering the raw material such that the first facet is facing the processing tool; processing the facet; if another unprocessed facet is exist in this set of unified parameters, maneuvering the gemstone in a predetermined DIV measure; and, processing the same; if the set of unified parameters does not comprised of unprocessed facet, maneuvering the gemstone in a predetermined DIV measure; and, processing the first facet of the following facet or set of facets sharing unified parameters and then obtaining a faceted gemstone.
19. A CAM, CNC or CADenabled method of obtaining a faceted gemstone from a raw material according to claim 1 or any of its dependent claims.
20. By means of a gemstones' processing system adapted to produce a faceted gemstone from a raw material; said processing system comprising a processing tool adapted to provide said faceted gemstone with a coordinated facet, and a holder adapted to both immobilize said raw material and further to introduce it to said processing tool in 3D coordinated manner such a facet is provided; a method comprising providing the processing system with a 3D coordinated model of the faceted gemstone wherein 3D coordinates of the facets are determined in respect to said origin's 3D coordinates, said model comprising sets of facets sharing unified parameters; potentially maneuvering the raw material towards a 2nd reference indicium; maneuvering the raw material such that the first facet or the first facet of a unified parameters is facing the processing tool; processing said facets; if there is another facet of unified parameters, maneuvering the gemstone towards the following facet of unified parameters; in no such a facet exist, maneuvering the gemstone towards the following set of facets sharing other unified parameters; if there is not another facet sharing said unified parameters, maneuvering the gemstone towards a following facet of other unified parameters, towards a facet that is not sharing unified parameters with other facets (singular facet) or towards a following layer, such that a faceted gemstone is obtained.
21. A CAM, CNC or CADenabled method of obtaining a faceted gemstone from a raw material according to claim 20 or any of its dependent claims.
22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the gemstone is diamond.
23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the processing comprise gemstone's manufacturing activities selected from a group of gemstone's cleaving, sawing, faceting; girdling, bruting, polishing or any combination thereof.
24. The method according to claim 20, additionally comprising providing an initial optimized 3D structure of the gemstone.
25. The method according to claim 24, additionally comprising calculating a coordinated model from the initial optimized 3D structure of the gemstone.
26. The method according to claim 20 or any of its dependent claim, comprising providing the raw material 2D coordinates by means of 2D coordinated holder (first reference indicium); and further providing for at least a second reference indicium providing the raw material with a measurable 3D coordinates..
27. The method according to claim 26 wherein the second reference indicium is the origin.
28. The method according to claim 26 wherein at least one noticeable location in or on the raw material, excluding a location in or on the surface of the faceted gemstone, is provided as the second reference indicium.
29. The method according to claim 26 wherein the second reference indicium is located on or adjacent to the holder or to a member in connection thereof.
30. The method according to claim 20 or to any of its dependent claim wherein the termination point of each processing step is determined in respect to a third reference indicium.
31. The method according to claim 30 wherein the third reference indicium is the origin.
32. The method according to claim 30 wherein at least one noticeable location in or on the raw material excluding location in or on the surface of the faceted gemstone is provided as the third reference indicium.
33. The method according to claim 30 wherein the third reference indicium is located on or adjacent to the holder or to a member in connection thereof.
34. The method according to claim 30 wherein the third reference indicium provided by the operator visually.
35. A method of obtaining a faceted gemstone from a raw material as defined in the present invention.
36. A method of obtaining a faceted gemstone from a raw material as described in figure 1 and/or figure 2.
37. A processing system adapted to produce a faceted gemstone from a raw material; said processing system comprising a processing tool adapted to provide said faceted gemstone with a plane facet of predetermined 3D coordinates (coordinated facet), and a holder adapted to both immobilize said raw material and further to introduce it to said processing tool in 3D coordinated manner such a facet is provided; said processing system further comprising means for calculating an origin located within or on the surface of said faceted gemstone; means for providing a coordinated model wherein 3D coordinates of the facets are determined in respect to said origin; and means for processing said facets in a sequence of processing steps in the manner that each processing step is terminate wherein the 3D coordinates of the facet processed by said processing tool is identical to the 3D coordinates of the corresponding facet provided in the coordinated model.
38. A processing system adapted to produce a faceted gemstone from a raw material as defined in the present invention.
39. A faceted gemstone provided by the processing system as defined in any of claim 37 and 38.
40. A faceted gemstone provided by method as defined in preceding claims.
Description:
MEANS AND METHOD OF COMPUTER-AIDED MANUFACTURING OF POLISHED GEMSTONES FROM ROUGH OR SEMI PROCESSED GEMSTONES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to method and means for computer-aided manufacturing and especially polishing of rough or semi-processed gemstones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rough gemstones are processed in various multi-step, time and effort consuming techniques such that precious and semi-precious polished gemstones and diamonds (hereinafter 'gemstones') are obtained. The processing steps are usually involved with measurable abrasion of the surface of a rough or semi-rough gemstone by means of a rotating tool such that the manufacturing is proceeded inwards from the outer surface of the rough stone to a predetermined position inside the stone, wherein the facets of the produced gemstone are laying.

The various process steps are provided manually, semi-automatically or automatically. Automatic polishing systems are thus commercially available, such as the machine defined in WO/03053632 to the applicant. This machine provides an accurate combination of vertical and angular gemstone 's displacements relatively to a rotating polishing wheel.

Currently, reference is made to a noticeable location laid within or around the surface of the rough gemstone to be processed. The rough stone is immobilized to the holder (either fixed, maneuverable or rotating holder, hereinafter 'holder') of the processing tool by means of a pot (press pot, glued pot, a pot comprising a screw-nut etc., hereinafter 'pot'). The immobilization of the gemstone to a calibrated holder provides two-dimensional coordinating means to the gemstone to be processed, hereinafter denoted as the first reference indicium. A second reference provides the gemstone to be processed with a three- dimensional coordinating means. This reference is spotted by the user visually before processing the product's facets. Furthermore, it sometimes provides a starting point for the initial processing step (e.g., polishing first facet etc). The end point of said particular processing step is provided by a third reference indicium, which is usually an external site, indicated on top of the holder or the pot.

Manual use of said three reference indicia is tedious, it is slowing the processing rate, deteriorate its accuracy and thus cost inefficient. Moreover, processing gemstone utilizing

existing visual reference indicia demands many years of experience wherein any error is involved with innumerous economic lost.

Machine tools used in computer-aided manufacturing systems (CAM) are computer numerical control machines (CNCs). Typically, CNCs replace or work in conjunction with any existing manufacturing process, via sequential execution of a set of programmable commands, achieving improved automation, rapidness, accurate and consistent workpieces, and flexibility due to availability of different loadable CNC programs. It is very often that the CNC is coupled to a CAM/CAD (Computer-aided design) system, such that the planning is done by means of the CAD system, then processed by the CAM system which transforms it into a program, being executable by the CNC. Unfortunately, those CAM, CNC or CAD systems are not currently utilized in gemstone polishing.

In general, all the product instances of a CNC produced by the same program are identical and, provided that the raw material bears the same quality is homogenous. The premise of homogeneity, as well as self-similarity between two different instances of the same raw material, facilitates the CNC programming and thus brings to more rapid and cost-effective production process.

Rough diamonds, however, are far from being homogenous; moreover, no two different rough stones are similar. Thus, employing a mass production using automatic polishing procedure for instance by means of a pre-programmed CNC, is most likely to result in sub- optimal yield.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to provide a useful method of providing a faceted gemstone by means of a gemstones' processing system adapted to produce a faceted gemstone from a rough or half-processed gemstone (raw material); said processing system comprising a processing tool adapted to provide said faceted gemstone with a plane facet of predetermined three-dimensional (3D) coordinates (coordinated facet), and a holder adapted to both immobilize said raw material and further to introduce it to said processing tool in 3D coordinated manner such a facet is provided. Said method comprising calculating a 3D coordinates of at least one reference indicium (origin) located within or on the surface of said faceted gemstone; providing a 3D coordinated model of the faceted gemstone (coordinated model) wherein 3D coordinates of the facets are determined in respect to said origin; processing said facets in a sequence of processing steps in the manner that each processing

step is terminate wherein the 3D coordinates of the facet processed by said processing tool is identical to the 3D coordinates of the corresponding facet provided in the coordinated model.

It is in the scope of the present invention wherein the aforesaid method additionally comprising the step of providing an initial optimized 3D structure of the gemstone; and/or additionally comprising the step of calculating a coordinated model from the initial optimized 3D structure of the gemstone.

It is also in the scope of the present invention wherein the aforesaid method comprising the step of providing the raw material 2D coordinates by means of 2D coordinated holder (first reference indicium); and further providing for at least a second reference indicium providing the raw material with a measurable 3D coordinates. The second reference indicium may be the origin. At least one noticeable location in or on the raw material, excluding a location in or on the surface of the faceted gemstone, is provided as the second reference indicium. The second reference indicium is potentially located on or adjacent to the holder or to a member in connection thereof.

It is also in the scope of the present invention wherein the aforesaid termination point of each processing step is determined in respect to a third reference indicium. Potentially, the third reference indicium is the origin, at least one noticeable location in or on the raw material excluding location in or on the surface of the faceted and/or wherein the third reference indicium is located on or adjacent to the holder or to a member in connection thereof.

It is also in the scope of the present invention wherein the aforesaid method further comprising the step of calculating the 3D coordinates of each of the facets of the faceted gemstone by parameters selected from DIV, TILT and MIC, wherein said parameters are related to the origin's 3D coordinates. The coordinated facets are potentially provided in sets of unified parameters, such that all facets sharing identical TILT and MIC parameters and have symmetrically similar DIV parameters are belong to said set of unified parameters. This method may comprising inter alia the step of processing a first facet; if another unprocessed facet is exist in this set of unified parameters, maneuvering the gemstone in a predetermined DIV measure; and, processing the same. Moreover, this method may comprising inter alia the step of processing a facet; if the set of unified parameters does not comprised of unprocessed facet, maneuvering the gemstone in a predetermined DIV measure; and, processing the first facet of the following facet or set of facets sharing unified parameters.

It is also in the scope of the present invention wherein the aforesaid method additionally comprising the step of obtaining an initial gemstone 3D scheme of the faceted gemstone, said

scheme is an optimal structure of faceted gemstone maximizing the economical benefit structure that may be obtained from the raw material; calculating the origin's 3D coordinates; calculating facets' 3D coordinates in respect to said origin's 3D coordinates; placing the gemstone in the processing system by immobilizing it to a holder which its 2D coordinates are measurable; obtaining at least one reference indicium such that the raw material is maneuvered towards its starting point; maneuvering the raw material such that the first facet is facing the processing tool; processing the facet; if another unprocessed facet is exist in this set of unified parameters, maneuvering the gemstone in a predetermined DIV measure; and, processing the same; if the set of unified parameters does not comprised of unprocessed facet, maneuvering the gemstone in a predetermined DIV measure; and, processing the first facet of the following facet or set of facets sharing unified parameters and then obtaining a faceted gemstone. A CAM, CNC or CAD-enabled method of obtaining a faceted gemstone from a raw material according to any of the methods defined above.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of faceting gemstone by means of a gemstones' processing system adapted to produce a faceted gemstone from a raw material; said processing system comprising a processing tool adapted to provide said faceted gemstone with a coordinated facet, and a holder adapted to both immobilize said raw material and further to introduce it to said processing tool in 3D coordinated manner such a facet is provided. This method comprising the steps of providing the processing system with a 3D coordinated model of the faceted gemstone wherein 3D coordinates of the facets are determined in respect to said origin's 3D coordinates, said model comprising sets of facets sharing unified parameters; potentially maneuvering the raw material towards a 2 nd reference indicium; maneuvering the raw material such that the first facet or the first facet of a unified parameters is facing the processing tool; processing said facets; if there is another facet of unified parameters, maneuvering the gemstone towards the following facet of unified parameters; in no such a facet exist, maneuvering the gemstone towards the following set of facets sharing other unified parameters; if there is not another facet sharing said unified parameters, maneuvering the gemstone towards a following facet of other unified parameters, towards a facet that is not sharing unified parameters with other facets (singular facet) or towards a following layer, such that a faceted gemstone is obtained.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel gemstone processing system adapted to produce a faceted gemstone from a raw material. This processing system comprising inter alia a processing tool adapted to provide said faceted gemstone with a plane facet of predetermined 3D coordinates (coordinated facet), and a holder adapted to both

immobilize said raw material and further to introduce it to said processing tool in 3D coordinated manner such a facet is provided; said processing system further comprising means for calculating an origin located within or on the surface of said faceted gemstone; means for providing a coordinated model wherein 3D coordinates of the facets are determined in respect to said origin; and means for processing said facets in a sequence of processing steps in the manner that each processing step is terminate wherein the 3D coordinates of the facet processed by said processing tool is identical to the 3D coordinates of the corresponding facet provided in the coordinated model.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be implemented in practice, several embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which figure 1 schematically presents an automatic process according to one embodiment of the present invention for processing a diamond by a CNC-enabled system for processing rough or semi-processed gemstones; figure 2 schematically presents an automatic process according to another embodiment of the, present invention for processing a diamond by a CNC-enabled system for processing rough or semi-processed gemstones; figure 3 schematically presents an illustration of a gemstone (here, a Round diamond) to be processed according to the CNC-enabled system and method hereto defined; figure 4 schematically presents an illustration of a gemstone (here, an Emerald diamond) to be processed according to the CNC-enabled system and method hereto defined; figure 5 schematically presents an illustration of a gemstone (here, a Heart diamond) to be processed according to the CNC-enabled system and method hereto defined; figure 6 schematically presents an illustration of a gemstone (here, a Marquise diamond) to be processed according to the CNC-enabled system and method hereto defined; and, figure 7 schematically presents an illustration of a gemstone (here, a Pear diamond) to be processed according to the CNC-enabled system and method hereto defined.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide method and means for coordinating the processing of rough or semi-processed gemstones to at least one calculated internal reference point (i.e., origin), located within the perimeter the gemstone to be obtained by said processing means; and to provide a useful CAM, CNC or CAD based tools for processing rough or semi-processed gemstones.

The term 'gemstone' refers hereinafter to any rough stones or half -processed stones, diamond or the like, before or in processing, e.g., such as in the gemstone processing stages, e.g., following cleaving, sawing, girdling, bruting, cutting and/or polishing stages; or after these preparation processes such as for evaluating the quality and value of the product produce thereof. The term specifically refers to rough stones, which provide diamonds, other precious or semi-precious gemstones.

Processed gemstones are compromised of a plurality of facets. Those facets may be schematically divided in a non-limiting manner from table (top facet); crown facets, girdle or girdle facets; pavilion facets etc. Those facets, and usually the crown facets are usually provided in one or more layers: Mains, Halves, Stars etc.

It is according to one embodiment of the present invention wherein 3D coordinated model of the diamond to be processed comprising sets of facets sharing unified TILT and MIC parameters, e.g., wherein TILT and MIC parameters of two or more facets of similar layer are identical, and said facets' DIV parameters are symmetrically similar. Those sets shall be referred hereinafter in the general term of 'unified parameters'. Examples for sets of facets sharing unified parameters are provided below.

The terms 'CAM', 'CAD' and 'CAD' respectively refers hereinafter to any machine tools used in computer-aided manufacturing systems, computer numerical control machines and computer-aided design systems. The term CAM/CNC/CAD is hence denoted to a gemstone processing means based on at least one of said systems.

The term 'origin' refers hereinafter to a calculated reference point located within the inner portion or the surface of a processed gemstone which is enveloped inside a capsule of a rough or semi-processed gemstone. This internal reference point provided a stand point from which all three dimensional coordinates of the gemstone 's calculated facets and surfaces are referred to. Conversely to the state of the art, said origin is obtained in any calculated 3D space, and not necessary different from it surround. The origin may be selected from the gemstone's mass center, a junction of calculated normal lines being perpendicular to all or few facets of the 3D model, a random location inside the stone etc.

It is according to one embodiment of the present invention wherein facets to be processed are defined by the parameters of DIV, TILT and MIC. The term DIV refers hereinafter to the number of facets in one layer, e.g., the number of planes intersecting the girdle line. The term TILT refers hereinafter to the slant of said facets. The positioning of each facet is determined in respect to the origin and thus of DIV, TILT and MIC are provided in a coordinate scale the origin is the reference point. The term MIC refers thus to the linear displacement in respect to the gemstone calculated center, i.e., the origin. According to this example, the MIC parameter is a measure (e.g., in a micron scale) of processing (e.g., polishing) crown, girdle and pavilion stone portions to reach a plane located in a known distance from the origin.

It is according to one embodiment of the present invention to provide a cost effective method of CNC-enabled processing of rough or semi-processed gemstones. This method comprising inter alia steps selected from scanning a rough or half-processed gemstone; obtaining a multidimensional model of said scanned gemstone; planning a resulted 3D model which provides with the maximal profit possible from said gemstone; calculating at least one origin located inside said 3D model lies inside said unprocessed stone; providing a CAM/CAD coordinated 3D model of the same, wherein few or all facets (e.g., table facet, crown facets, girdle, pavilion facets etc) are calculated in respect to said one or more origin points; and, CNC- enabled processing said unprocessed gemstone until a processed gemstone is obtained.

The processing means defined above are adapted for CNC-enabled processing of the gemstone, and selected in anon limiting manner from cleaving, sawing, bruting, girdling, cutting, polishing, faceting or any combination thereof.

It is according to yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein a novel CNC/CAM/CAD-enabled system for processing rough or semi-processed gemstones is

disclosed. This system comprising inter alia ingredients selected from means for scanning said gemstone to be further processed; means for obtaining a multidimensional model of a scanned gemstone; means for planning an initial 3D model which is yielding a predetermined structure or the maximum economical profit possible from said gemstone; means for calculating at least one origin reference indicium in the border of said initial 3D model; means for calculating a 3D model coordinating the facets determined in the initial 3D model in respect to at least one origin point; computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system; CNC means for processing said rough or semi-processed gemstone.

Reference is made now to Fig. 1, schematically presenting a flow chart of a computer-aided method of processing rough or semi-processed gemstones according to one embodiment of the present invention. This example is related in a non-limiting manner to a process of polishing diamonds facets by an automated or semi-automated polishing machine comprising a rotating polishing wheel, a holder holding the rough stone, and controller fed with a set of DIV, TILT and MIC parameters of the facets to be polished thereon in respect to a calculated origin reference indicium located inside said 3D model. The processing machine according to this example is either automatic or semi-automatic.

According to another embodiment, the rough gemstone is measured by one of several commercially available gemstones' measuring and data-processing tools, providing an initial optimized 3D structure of the gemstone (1). One point or more are determined (2) by calculating means, and a calculated 3D model comprising a set of coordinates determining the facets location in respect to said origin is obtained (3). This coordinated model is further determining the relative positioning of one facet to the others and defining sets of facets sharing unified parameters.

The processing plane may comprise parameters characterizing more than one layer to be processed, which is approximately parallel or tilted in respect to the plane of the girdle cross section. The first plane is traditionally called Halve (See 31 figure 3), the second layer called Mains (32) and the third layer called Stars (33). Other layers are also possible.

Other possible references are located outside the gemstone. Reference indicia may be taken on the gemstone 's holder surface, or between the stone and the holder. Two references are taken for many purposes. Those references are usually located on either the pot clasping the gemstone along the processing stages, and/or on the maneuverable holder attaching the press pot. Such a reference indicia may be the pot rim or a portion of the same, a member attached

to said press pot; the carrier, socket, undercarriage and/or the chassis of either the gemstone's processing or measuring system; a recess or perturbing portion of the holder etc. Those references are sometimes useful for indicating DIV related parameters and for determining the absolute 3D position of the calculated gemstone's origin.

The indication provided by those reference means is selected in a non-limited manner from calculated or determined means, such as electrical (e.g., conductive), magnetic, optic, physical means, or any combination thereof.

Those reference indicia may provide for coordinated successive process steps, e.g., any processing attempts directed to one or more facets or to a potion of the same, wherein the 3D position of the facet and its orientation in respect to other facets is indicated in a reference to the origin.

Reference is still made to Fig. 1. After obtaining or calculating the gemstone's optimal three- dimensional scheme (1) comprising all facets of the crown, girdle and pavilion portions, the 3D location of the origin point is calculated (2). Then, the 3D coordinates of the facets are recalculated in respect to the origin (3). The gemstone to be processed is positioned to its place (4), e.g., by mounting it on a holder in connection to a pot clasping the gemstone effectively.

The holder and/or the pot are potentially zeroed or calibrated in the manner that it coordinates the immobilized gemstone 2D coordination. One additional reference indicium provides a 3D coordination. A second reference indicium is selected from the origin according to the present invention as defined above; and/or external references known in the art, taken in or on the unprocessed gemstone of the holder/pot immobilizing the same.

Thus, according to one specific embodiment of the present invention, the processing system is designed so that by pressing a Wass button once, the pot and/or its holder are maneuvered towards a predetermined second reference indicium (6a). By pushing said Wass button twice, the gemstone is maneuvered (6b) such that the 1 st facet (or girdling plane) is processed thereof (6c).

Subsequently, the system is defying (7) whether at least one facet is to be further processed in the same processing protocol, e.g., sharing said unified TILT and MIC parameters. If there is another facet to be processed in the unified processing protocol, the gemstone is

maneuvered (8) to a predetermined DIV measure such that said facet is processed (9). Said cycle is continued until all facets sharing unified processing parameters are processed.

The processing aforesaid processing protocol may preceded from Halves facets' sets, via Mains facets' sets to Stars facets' set and so forth to upper layers. Nonetheless such a sequence is not an obligation. After facets of one layer are processed, similar process is provided for other layers (10) until a processed gemstone is obtained (11).

The process illustrated above provided a novel means for CAM/CNC/CAD based method of processing gemstones wherein the second and third reference indicia are the calculated origin lies inside the produced gemstone, and not noticeable sites indicated at the external envelope of unprocessed gemstone as currently practiced in the art.

It is yet according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein a method of obtaining processed gemstones by either semi-automatic or automatic CAM/CNC/CAD processing machines is adapted to process gemstones wherein at least a portion of the said second and third reference indicia are located either on the gemstone 's holder or press pot.

Fig. 2 schematically describes one example of such a method. After defining initial 3D model and calculating facets coordination thereof, the gemstone is immobilized on a holder such that a first 2D reference indicium is provided. Facets coordinates and unified parameters are fed to the system (21). The gemstone is maneuvered towards second reference indicium (22). In this example the second reference is indicated by the holder, the pot clasping the gemstone or member attached thereon. The gemstone is then maneuvered (23) and the first facet is processed (24). The system defines if there are other unprocessed facets sharing unified parameters (25). If at least one such a facet exists, the gemstone is maneuvered (26) to a suitable DIV measure such it is processed thereof (24). After facets sharing unified parameters are processed, the gemstone is maneuvered to second layer (27a), a third layer (27b) and o forth until all facets are subsequently processed (28). This scheme is provided for pavilion, girdle and crown portions of the gemstone.

It is in the scope of the present invention wherein various and/or multiple reference indicia are utilized. Hence, for example, the first Halves' set comprising four facets sharing unified TILT parameters are processed in the following manner: the TILT parameters of said set are fed to the processing system and the first facet is processed thereof until a second reference indicium is stopping this processing step. This second reference may be a metal rim of a

shaped pot immobilizing the gemstone that close an electric cycle at a certain point etc. The system stores the MIC parameters provided in said processing step. Then, after maneuvering the gemstone in a predetermine DIV measure such that a second facet is facing the processing tool, the TILT parameter remains constant, and MIC parameter is repeated-or till contact with shaped ring again, and so on and so forth until al facets sharing said unified parameters are processed. Another example is processing of Mains' (or Stars') sets of facets sharing unified parameters. Here again TILT parameters are known. The first facet of the aforesaid set is processed until the system' operator visually defines the end point. The processing system stores the utilized MIC parameters, and repeat such a processing parameters in all remaining facets sharing said unified parameters.

It is according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein the DIV, TILT, MIC and origin point are fed to the processing system manually or otherwise, e.g., automatically via either a lined communication or a wireless manner. Additionally or alternatively, the processing system is provided as a CNC tool, which is in communication with a CAM means such that at least a portion of the processing data is obtained, calculated, transferred and online retrieved automatically.

Reference is made now to figure 3a-3d, presenting a rough stone (dark portion, 34a). The gemstone of maximal economical value (34b) is obtained from stone (34) by means of the processing protocol. An origin (dark cycle, 35) is further calculated and its exact three- dimensional coordinates are obtained.

It is according to one embodiment of the present invention wherein the 3D coordinates of the various facets is calculated in reference to the origin. Hence, processing of the facets is not referenced to external features of stone (34a) but to the origin (35).

Several examples are hereto provided in a non-limiting manner so that few minimal parameters and sets of facet sharing mutual processing layer are provided. DIV TILT and MIC parameters are hereto determined as a reference to the calculated origin:

Example 1

A ROUND diamond is to be polished as described in figures 3a-3b. The corresponding DIV, TILT and MIC parameters are as follows: diameter 6,000 microns, fulcrum Z18000, Y12750 microns, table (33) 57%. Asterisks are denoted hereinafter to minimal data to be fed into the processing system (i.e., minimal parameters). MIC parameters are in micron, and referred to

a calculated origin reference indicia (35).

ROUND PAVILION FACETS (31) parameters:

FACET DIV TILT MICSAME

H 1 348.75 41.82 5736 *

H 2 11.25 41.82 5736 _- |

H 3 33.75 41.82 5736 =1

H 4 56.25 41.82 5736 =1

H 5 78.75 41.82 5736 =1

H 6 101.25 41.82 5736 =1

H 7 123.75 41.82 5736 —*"l

H 8 146.25 41.82 5736 =1

H 9 168.75 41.82 5736 =1

HlO 191.25 41.82 5736 =1

HIl 213.75 41.82 5736 =1

H12 236.25 41.82 5736 =1

H13 258.75 41.82 5736 =1

H14 281.25 41.82 5736 = 2

H15 303.75 41.82 5736 =1

H16 326.25 41.82 5736 =1

Here all 16 Halves facets of the pavilion portion of the diamond are sharing corresponding processing protocol.

ROUND PAVILION (M) FACETS (30) parameters:

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Ml 0.00 41.75 5777 * M2 45.00 41.75 5777 =1 M3 90.00 41.75 5777 =1 M4 135.00 41.75 5777 =1 M5 180.00 41.75 Sill =1 M6 225.00 41.75 Sill _i M7 270.00 41.75 Sill =1 M8 315.00 41.75 Sill =1

Here all 8 Mains facets of the pavilion portion of the diamond are sharing corresponding processing protocol.

ROUND CROWN FACETS parameters:

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

H 1 348.75 40.58 5743 *

H 2 11.25 40.58 5743 =1

H 3 33.75 40.58 5743 =1

H 4 56.25 40.58 5743 =1

H 5 78.75 40.58 5743 =1

H 6 101.25 40.58 5743 =1

H 7 123.75 40.58 5743 =1

H 8 146.25 40.58 5743 =1

H 9 168.75 40.58 5743 =1

HlO 191.25 40.58 5743 —1

HIl 213.75 40.58 5743 =1

H12 236.25 40.58 5743

H13 258.75 40.58 5743 =1

H14 281.25 40.58 5743 =1

H15 303.75 40.58 5743 =1

H16 326.25 40.58 5743 =1

Here all 16 Halves facets of the crown portion of the diamond are sharing corresponding processing protocol.

ROUND CROWN (M) FACETS parameters:

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Ml 0.00 34.50 5645 *

M2 45.00 34.50 5645 =1

M3 90.00 34.50 5645 =1

M4 135.00 34.50 5645 =1

M5 180.00 34.50 5645 =1

M6 225.00 34.50 5645 =1

M7 270.00 34.50 5645 =1

M8 315.00 34.50 5645 =1

Here all 8 Mains facets of the crown portion of the diamond are sharing corresponding processing protocol.

ROUND CROWN (S) FACETS parameters:

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

S 1 337.50 34.00 4628 *

S 2 22.50 34.00 4628 =1

S 3 67.50 34.00 4628 =1

S 4 112.50 34.00 4628 =1

S 5 157.50 34.00 4628 =1

S 6 202.50 34.00 4628 =1

S 7 247.50 34.00 4628 =1

S 8 292.50 34.00 4628 =1

Here all 8 Mains facets of the crown portion of the diamond are sharing corresponding processing protocol.

Example 2

An Emerald diamond is to be polished as described in figure 4a-4d. The corresponding DIV, TILT and MIC parameters are as follows: Dialit Emerald Brilliant U/W 1.50, TbI 60%, Diameter 6000 microns; Fulcrum Z18000, Y12750 microns:

EMERALD PAVILION FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Hl 0.00 50.00 4800 *

H2 45.00 47.40 5598 *

H3 90.00 50.00 5519 *

H4 135.00 47.40 5598 =2

H5 180.00 50.00 4800 =1

H6 225.00 47.40 5598 =2

H7 270.00 50.00 5519

H8 315.00 47.40 5598 =2

Here facet number 4, 6 and 8 of the pavilion portion of the diamond is sharing with facet number 2 a corresponding processing protocol; facets number 5 of the pavilion portion of the diamond is sharing with facet number 1 a corresponding processing protocol etc.

EMERALD PAVILION (M) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Ml 0.00 41.00 5404 *

M2 45.00 38.42 5948 *

M3 90.00 41.00 6020 *

M4 135.00 38.42 5948 =2

M5 180.00 41.00 5404 =1

M6 225.00 38.42 5948 =2

M7 270.00 41.00 6020 =3

M8 315.00 38.42 5948 ~1

EMERALD PAVILION (S) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Sl 0.00 36.00 5591 *

S2 45.00 33.54 5995 *

S3 90.00 36.00 6143 *

S4 135.00 33.54 5995 =2

S5 180.00 36.00 5591 =1

S6 225.00 33.54 5995 =2

S7 270.00 36.00 6143

S8 315.00 33.54 5995 =2

EMERALD CROWN FACETS FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Hl 0.00 40.00 5220

H2 45.00 37.44 5728

H3 90.00 40.00 5824

H4 135.00 37.44 5728 =2

H5 180.00 40.00 5220 =1

H6 225.00 37.44 5728 =2

H7 270.00 40.00 5824 =3

H8 315.00 37.44 5728 =2

EMERALD CROWN (M) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Ml 0.00 35.00 5206 *

M2 45.00 32.57 5572

M3 90.00 35.00 5745 *

M4 135.00 32.57 5572 =2

M5 180.00 35.00 5206 =1

M6 225.00 32.57 5572 =2

M7 270.00 35.00 5745 =3

M8 315.00 32.57 5572 =2

EMERALD CROWN (S) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Sl 0.00 24.00 4607 *

S2 45.00 22.11 4716 *

S3 90.00 24.00 4989 *

S4 135.00 22.11 4716 =2

S5 180.00 24.00 4607 =1

S6 225.00 22.11 4716 =2

S7 270.00 24.00 4989 =3

S8 315.00 22.11 4716 =2

Example 3:

A HEART diamond is to be polished as described in figures 5a-5d. The corresponding DIV, TILT and MIC parameters are as follows: Diameter 6000 microns, table 65%, U/W 1.05, Fulcrum Z18000, Y12750 microns.

HEART PAVILION FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Hl 348.87 47.17 4664 *

H2 11.13 47.17 4664 =1

H3 26.78 43.43 4995 *

H4 63.32 39.51 5344 *

H5 102.41 41.93 5381 *

H6 118.02 43.12 5358 *

H7 127.94 43.28 5390 *

H8 138.46 42.10 5512 *

H9 147.14 40.25 5652 *

HlO 212.86 40.25 5652 =9

HIl 221.54 42.10 5512 =8

H12 232.06 43.28 5390 =7

H13 241.98 43.12 5358 =6

H14 257.59 41.93 5381 =5

H15 296.68 39.51 5344 =4

H16 333.22 43.43 4995 =3

HEART PAVILION (M) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Ml 43.24 39.07 5259 *

M2 113.36 42.22 5389 *

M3 133.20 42.27 5468 *

M4 226.80 42.27 5468 =3

M5 246.64 42.22 5389 =2

M6 316.76 39.07 5259 =1

HEART CROWN FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Hl 358.61 41.46 4790 *

H2 1.39 41.46 4790 =1

H3 26.78 40.71 5063 *

H4 63.32 44.96 5231 *

H5 102.41 46.04 5249 *

H6 118.02 41.26 5394 *

H7 127.94 42.05 5417 *

H8 138.46 42.41 5507 *

H9 147.14 42.22 5638 *

HlO 212.86 42.22 5638 =9

HIl 221.54 42.41 5507 =8

H12 232.06 42.05 5417

H13 241.98 41.26 5394 =6

H14 257.59 46.04 5249 =5

H15 296.68 44.96 5231 =4

H16 333.22 40.71 5063 =3

HEART CROWN (M) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Ml 0.00 40.49 4805 *

M2 43.24 33.12 5134 *

M3 113.36 37.70 5403

M4 133.20 38.21 5482 *

M5 180.00 31.29 5615 *

M6 226.80 38.21 5482 =4

M7 246.64 37.70 5403 =3

M8 316.76 33.12 5134 =2

HEART CROWN (S) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Sl 346.80 16.56 3617 *

S2 13.20 16.56 3617 =1

S3 82.47 13.37 3334 *

S4 122.77 22.58 4609

S5 143.36 22.01 4653 *

S6 216.64 22.01 4653 =5

S7 237.23 22.58 4609 =4

S8 277.53 13.37 3334 =3

Example 4:

A Dialit Marquise diamond is to be polished as described in figures 6a-6d. The corresponding DIV, TILT and MIC parameters are as follows: Dialit fancy stone; diameter 6000 microns; fulcrum Z18000, Y12750 microns; table 60%, U/W 2.20.

MARQUISE PAVILLION FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Hl 353.89 41.18 4884 *

H2 6.11 41.18 4884 =1

H3 18.33 38.83 4991 *

H4 30.55 34.84 5085 *

H5 42.78 31.10 5106 *

H6 137.22 31.10 5106 =5

H7 149.45 34.84 5085 =4

H8 161.67 38.83 4991 =3

H9 173.89 41.18 4884 =1

HlO 186.11 41.18 4884 =1

HIl 198.33 38.83 4991 =3

H12 210.55 34.84 5085 =4

H13 222.78 31.10 5106 =5

H14 317.22 31.10 5106 =5

H15 329.45 34.84 5085 =4

H16 341.67 38.83 4991 = 3

MARQUISE PAVILLION (M) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Ml 359.95 40.15 4909 *

M2 25.54 35.40 5049 *

M3 154.46 35.40 5049 =2

M4 179.95 40.15 4909 _->

M5 205.54 35.40 5049 __o

M6 334.46 35.40 5049 =2

MARQUISE CROWN FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Hl 353.89 40.58 4856 *

H2 6.11 40.58 4856 =1

H3 18.33 37.76 4950 *

H4 30.55 36.52 5077 *

H5 42.78 36.69 5276 *

H6 137.22 36.69 5276 =5

H7 149.45 36.52 5077 =4

H8 161.67 37.76 4950 = 3

H9 173.89 40.58 4856

HlO 186.11 40.58 4856 =1

HU 198.33 37.76 4950 =3

H12 210.55 36.52 5077 =4

H13 222.78 36.69 5276 =5

H14 317.22 36.69 5276 =5

H15 329.45 36.52 5077 =4

H16 341.67 37.76 4950 =3

MARQUISE CROWN (M) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Ml 0.00 35.00 4852

M2 24.44 30.85 4823 *

M3 90.00 17.66 3942 *

M4 155.56 30.85 4823 =2

M5 180.00 35.00 4852 =1

M6 204.44 30.85 4823 =2

M7 270.00 17.66 3942 =3

M8 335.56 30.85 4823 =2

MARQUISE CROWN (S) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Sl 347.78 21.72 4107 *

S2 12.22 21.72 4107 =1

S3 36.67 14.76 3314 *

S4 143.33 14.76 3314 =3

S5 167.78 21.72 4107 = ι

S6 192.22 21.72 4107 =1

S7 216.67 14.76 3314 =3

S8 323.33 14.76 3314 =3

Example 5:

A Pear diamond is to be polished as described in figures 7a-7d. The corresponding DIV, TILT and MIC parameters are as follows: Dialit pear brilliant U/W 1.60, table 60%; Diameter 6000 microns; Fulcrum Z18000, Y12750 microns; PEAR PAVILION FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Hl 348.75 41.57 4872 *

H2 11.25 41.57 4872 =1

H3 33.75 41.57 4872 =1

H4 56.25 41.57 4872 =1

H5 78.75 41.57 4872 =1

H6 96.11 41.18 4894 *

H7 108.33 38.83 5001 *

H8 120.55 34.85 5095 *

H9 132.78 31.07 5116 *

HlO 227.22 31.07 5116 =9

HIl 239.45 34.85 5095 =8

H12 251.67 38.83 5001 =7

H13 263.89 41.18 4894 =6

H14 281.25 41.57 4872 =1

H15 303.75 41.57 4872 =1

H16 326.25 41.57 4872 =1

PEAR PAVILION (M) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Ml 0.00 40.20 4918 *

M2 45.00 40.20 4918 =1

M3 90.00 40.20 4918 =1

M4 115.57 35.43 5060 *

M5 244.43 35.43 5060 =4

M6 270.00 40.20 4918 =1

M7 315.00 40.20 4918 =1

PEAR CROWN FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Hl 348.75 42.34 4811 *

H2 11.25 42.34 4811 =1

H3 33.75 42.34 4811 =1

H4 56.25 42.34 4811 =1

H5 78.75 42.34 4811 =1

H6 96.11 40.58 4865 *

H7 108.33 37.76 4959 *

H8 120.55 36.52 5087 *

H9 132.78 36.69 5288 *

HlO 227.22 36.69 5288 =9

HIl 239.45 36.52 5087 =8

H12 251.67 37.76 4959 =7

H13 263.89 40.58 4865 =6

H14 281.25 42.34 4811 =1

H15 303.75 42.34 4811 =1

H16 326.25 42.34 4811 =1

PEAR CROWN (M) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Ml 0.00 35.00 4860 *

M2 45.00 35.00 4860 =1

M3 90.00 35.00 4860 =1

M4 114.44 30.85 4832 *

M5 180.00 17.66 3952 *

M6 245.56 30.85 ^ 4832 =4

M7 270.00 35.00 4860 = i

M8 315.00 35.00 4860 =1

PEAR CROWN (S) FACETS

FACET DIV TILT MIC SAME

Sl 337.50 20.75 3997 *

S2 22.50 20.75 3997 =1

S3 67.50 20.75 3997 =1

S4 102.22 21.72 4113

S5 126.67 14.76 3320 *

S6 233.33 14.76 3320 =5

S7 257.78 21.72 4113 =4

S8 292.50 20.75 3997 =1