We have received many inquiries about winding machines.
We will show you how it works, supplies, etc.
What is a Winding Machine?
Originally, winding machines were used by watch manufacturers and repair stores as inspection machines for the final check of watches.
The inspection machines used to check automatic watches became popular among the general public due to their convenience.
However, there is a lot of information on the web about the necessity, merits and demerits, which winding machine is recommended, and so on.
Some of this information is really unsubstantiated, and I believe that many consumers make the wrong choice.
Therefore, Soulbird, which actually plans and manufactures winding machines, will guide you on whether or not a winding machine is necessary, the key points of construction, and the structure of Soulbird winding machines.
Advantages and disadvantages of winding machines
[Benefits]
Many of our customers own more than one automatic watch. In that case, the watches that are not used for a few days stop.
The watch will automatically wind up when set in a winding machine, eliminating the need to manually wind the watch with the crown when using it and reducing deterioration of the crown and its gaskets.
And above all, it is convenient.
[Disadvantages]
Winding machines have the potential for magnetization from the motor that generates the magnetic force.
Using a winding machine that is not magnetized will have an adverse effect on the watch.
In addition, mounting a watch that has been stored for a long time without being used or in poor condition on a winding machine may put a strain on the internal parts of the watch.
Points to consider when selecting a winding machine
1: Are antimagnetic measures in place?
2: Is there a built-in protection circuit in case of electrical leakage?
3: Is the winding method designed to minimize the load on the watch?
4: Can it be wound left or right?
5: Is the product replaceable parts and maintainable?
If these five points are satisfied, there will be no problem no matter what kind of winding machine you use, whether it is expensive or inexpensive.
Conversely, we believe that the use of a winding machine that does not meet these five points may cause significant risks.
The following is a detailed guide to those five points.
The five points and the structure of the Soulbird winding machine are also shown.
1: Are antimagnetic measures in place?
A motor is used for winding.
The distance between the motor and the watch to which it is attached is sufficient to prevent antimagnetism.
Compact winding machine" = "motor and watch are close together".
Soulbird winding machines are designed to
Distance between clock and motor = approx. 130 - 105 mm (numbers vary due to motor being 25 mm thick)
This distance is important for anti-magnetization.
2: Is a protection circuit provided in case of leakage?
Measures against electrical leakage due to electric shock, fire, and loss of power are essential.
If this point is not cleared, the watch may be damaged by accidental leakage.
Soulbird winding machines use a circuit board to prevent electrical leakage.
3: Is the watch designed to minimize the load on the watch?
In fact, there is an inexpensive way to produce a winding machine.
This design method matches the rotation of the motor gear shaft with the rotation of the clock.
although
It's hard to understand!
For watches whose hands are almost centered on the base of the dial, the winding machine rotates around the base of those hands."
It would be easier to explain this as follows.
This is the cheapest and easiest design method, but it is the same action as repeating skating spins all the time.
One can easily imagine the oil being swept outward and outward by centrifugal force.
There is no need for this action in a watch that can actually be wound by wearing it on the wrist, and it would only place an unnecessary load on the watch.
Instead of rotating around the base of the watch hands, the Soulbird winding machine slowly rotates the watch itself, keeping the rotation angle at around 45 degrees to allow the oil to circulate inside the watch.
Therefore, even at slow and leisurely winding speeds, the watch can be wound without putting a load on the watch.
4: Can it be "left-hand winding" or "right-hand winding"? Direction of rotation.
Some watchmakers have a limited number of winding rotation methods.
If this direction of rotation does not match, winding cannot be performed.
Therefore, all watches can be wound by alternating left and right rotation.
Soul Bird winding machines can rotate left and right, as well as left and right,
It is designed to allow the user to set the rotation speed and rotation duration.
5: Can parts be replaced or maintained?
Several consumable parts are used in the winding machine.
By replacing these consumable parts, the system can be used continuously.
Winding machines that do not have replaceable wear parts are "disposable products" that are not intended for long-term use.
The following is a specific list of consumables based on the Soulbird winding machine.
Can a Winding Machine Break?"
The most common inquiries about winding machines are
'No matter how many times I replace it, it breaks after a year or two, is that how it is?'
It is.
The obvious answer is,
Because you've chosen a winding machine that will break."
I think that is what it means.
Specifically,
Have you ever seen a winding machine with the following product information?
"We use reliable Japanese-made ●●chi motors, so they're durable!"
？？？？？？？
I have my doubts about that.
Because it is not the motor that breaks.
Nowadays, even a children's toy motor costing a few hundred yen does not break down easily.
The important points are,
It is the "gear" that controls the rotational speed of that motor.
Wear and tear (breakdown) occurs when these gears wear out.
However,
In the product descriptions of winding machines sold in large quantities on the web
There is no mention of such a thing.
Why?
that is
'Because you don't know the real structure.」I think it is.
The important points areNot motors.Gear."It is.
Many users consider this "gear wear" to be a "malfunction.
The truth is that the "gears" also need an oil change.
No one drives a car without changing the engine oil and gear oil.
If you do that, it will break.
It's no wonder.
However,
Have you ever heard of "changing the oil in a winding machine?"
That's a first for you, isn't it?
As a matter of course, all winding machines equipped with "gears" need an oil change.
Once this is done, the winding machine is healthy.
However, most winding machines sold on the market do not allow this maintenance.
It is what we call a "toy.
Customers who use these winding machines are
"No matter how many times I replace it, it always breaks after a year or two. ...."
You may be wondering, "What is it?
It's more than "breaking."
You have selected "No replaceable consumables (winding machines that cannot be repaired if broken)."
It may be more correct to say that
If you are interested in the structure and have a broken winding machine left on hand, it is easy to understand if you take it apart.
You will be surprised at the large number of parts used, which look like elementary school students' summer craft homework.
(Disassembly involves the risk of accidents, so please do so at your own risk.)
Soulbird winding machines are designed to be able to perform this oil change (maintenance).
However, it is cheaper to replace the gears with new gears than to disassemble, clean, add oil, and reassemble them.
Therefore, at Soulbird,
Oil change" = "gear change" maintenance.
Timing and cost of gear replacement for reference.
Only for winding machines made by Soulbird.
On average, the durability of the gear section is 5-7 years.
The cost of that replacement,
The price is 12,600 yen (as of 2020) per unit including labor and parts, excluding tax.
After the arrival of the winding machine in Ikebukuro,
We will work on it immediately and re-deliver it in 1-3 days.
All maintenance is done by Soulbird, rather than being outsourced, so we are able to deliver in a short period of time.
This gear part can be replaced for continuous use.
In other words, if the "gear" is replaced, "until the case itself breaks,
Long-lasting service."
This means.
You will probably have no problem using it for several decades.
I will link to the blog of a customer who has changed gears twice since the beginning of use for reference.
https://soulbird.co.jp/maintenance-windingmachine/
Other considerations in the design of Seoul Bird include
↓
Can be used anywhere in the world regardless of power supply frequency.
The winding machine is beautiful.
The main body of the winding machine must not be consumable.
Easy to maintain.
The size must be small enough to be easily sent for maintenance.
The durability of the product is such that it can be used for several decades.
Winding machine manufacturer that can maintain
So how many winding machine manufacturers are there that can provide maintenance?
As far as we know, there are only about three manufacturers in the world.
Actually, there are not that many.
Many types of winding machines are available on the Web.
However, few of these products are sold by the "three manufacturers" who can provide maintenance.
(e.g., Austrian company)
One last time.
I don't mean to be persistent, but...
Here are the "5 necessary checkpoints" again when selecting a winding machine.
1: Are antimagnetic measures in place?
2: Is a protective circuit provided in case of leakage?
3: Is the watch designed to minimize the load on the watch?
4: Can it be wound left or right?
5: Is the product replaceable parts and maintainable?
The information in this report is based on the knowledge we have gained from our position as a manufacturer of Soulbird winding machines.
This information may not be necessary for everyone, but we hope it will be of some help to you.
Thank you very much.
Soulbird does not evaluate, repair, or maintain the structure or parts of other companies' winding machines.
Please contact each manufacturer.