Annual Report

2017

Wetenschappelijk & Technisch Onderzoeks- Centrum voor Diamant

WTOCD Plaslaar 50, B-2500 LIER

Tel: (03) 488 06 09

Fax: (03) 488 30 18

www.wtocd.be

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WTOCD (Scientific and Technical Research centre for Diamond) is at the service of

the diamond sector since 1977. WTOCD was founded under the law De Grootte of 1947 describing the conditions for the establishment and operation of centres charged with the promotion and coordination of the technical progress of the different branches of the country's business community through scientific research. The mission statement of the research centre is outlined in the statutes of the centre:

“The scientific and technological research to enhance the tools, machines, equipment and

processing methods, the automation, the evaluation methods and the expansion of the

application possibilities of diamond”. The research topics therefore include all aspects of

planning, processing and grading.

The management organization of the research centre contains representatives of the di-amond sector and scientific personalities appointed by IWT (Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen). The scientific and technological research topics span the entire chain from rough to pol-ished, including measurement, evaluation and processing. Recent examples of develop-ments by WTOCD are D-Screen & M-Screen (screening for potential synthetic and HPHT-colour enhanced diamond), AvalonPlus (in-process measurement of zoetheid and geome-try of facets), EOSFancy (automatic bruting of fancy shapes), Reflex (ultra-accurate measurement of polished diamond), Morgana (fast and accurate alignment of polishing tools) and Grain Independent Polishing (fast, safe and grain independent polishing tech-nique).

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CCoonntteennttss 1 Management Organization of WTOCD ......................................................... 5

1.1 Members of the Algemene Raad (31/12/17) .............................................................. 5

1.2 Members of the Bestendig Comité ............................................................................. 6

1.3 Director of WTOCD ................................................................................................... 6

1.4 Commissioners ........................................................................................................... 6

2 Research and service ............................................................................................ 7

2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 7

2.2 Research projects ........................................................................................................ 9 2.2.1 Grain independent polishing ......................................................................................... 9 2.2.2 M-Screen ..................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.3 Lumisense ................................................................................................................... 13 2.2.4 AvalonPlus .................................................................................................................. 14 2.2.5 Morgana ...................................................................................................................... 15

2.3 Service-activities (TAD) .......................................................................................... 16 2.3.1 Advice ......................................................................................................................... 16 2.3.2 Website ........................................................................................................................ 17

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1 Management Organization of WTOCD

1.1 Members of the Algemene Raad (31/12/17)

1.1.1 Fifteen members appointed by SBD

▪ On behalf of "Syndicaat der Belgische Diamantnijverheid bv”:

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

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

▪ On behalf of "Antwerpsche Diamantkring cvba":

Mr. E. VLEESCHDRAGER

▪ On behalf of "Beurs voor Diamanthandel cvba": Mr. M. VETS

▪ 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": Mr. H. KEESJE

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

Mr. Ch. CYTO (until 22/06/17) Mr. G. WATERMAN (starting from 22/06/17)

▪ 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)

▪ To be appointed

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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. Y. TOUTENEL

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. L. VAN MEERVELT

1.2 Members of the Bestendig Comité

President: Mr. P. VAN DER STEEN Vice-President: mandate to re-fill

Mr. D. OSTE

W. RUYTHOOREN B. DE HANTSETTERS Prof. D. POELMAN

P. DE BACKER

1.3 Director of WTOCD

• Mr. Y. KERREMANS

1.4 Commissioners

• Mr. W. HENNEUSE Mrs. E. VAN LOOVEREN

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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 within WTOCD can be subdivided into research and service. The service ac-tivities are an efficient means to offer a solution for the direct questions of the diamond companies on the one hand, but they also allow tuning of the research topics of WTOCD to the specific sector needs. The lion's share of the research activities concerns collective research, a very limited part is commissioned by and therefore exclusively for a diamond company or a group of diamond companies. A striking example of exclusive research is Lumisense, the color measuring device for cut diamond, developed for HRD Antwerp.

Within the framework of the research activities in 2017, following research topics can be identified:

• screening (M-Screen), • processing (Grain Independent Polishing); • measuring and evaluation (AvalonPlus, Morgana/Angle Gauge and Lumisense).

In 2017 two projects were given priority: M-Screen and Grain Independent Polishing.

To optimize the transition from a lab version to a commercial product WTOCD uses so-called pre-prototypes. Those devices 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 the practical use in the diamond sector.

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In this annual report the research and service activities in 2017 are described. More in-formation can be found on the website www.wtocd.be.

The service activities (TAD) of the research centre are delivered in the form of advice ser-vices, patent services and the website. In 2017 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

Target Group Gem diamond industry and other industrial applications of diamond

Description The classic polishing process imposes technical limitations due to the dependency of the removal rate of the crystal direction and a considerable increase in temperature during polishing.

The ultimate goal of the project Grain Independent Polishing (GIP) of Diamond is the de-velopment of industrially usable polishing machines for WOS roughening and WOS finish-ing with the emphasis on a high removal rate and process safety through a low tempera-ture. In a first step, WOSCAM (WOS Computer Aided Manufacturing) will import the combina-tion of a rough and optimized model of a rough planner and carry out and check all nec-essary processing steps automatically. The result is a windowed surface with chosen off-set. Activities in 2017 In 2017, the commissioning of a fully automated WOSCAM pre-prototype was completed. The machine was intensively tested and optimized. The main focus was on the stability of the polishing process and the optimization of the rigidity of the mechanical components responsible for the linear and rotational movements.

Integration of a control-unit on the polishing head.

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Parallel, in cooperation with Coborn Engineering, the further elaboration and optimization of the control software and user interface of the pre-prototype took place; resulting in a highly accurate control of the machine.

In 2017, work continued on the transfer of the planning information from a commercial rough planner to WOSCAM, using a setting station that was developed and produced by WTOCD in 2015. Based on feedback from various representatives from the diamond sec-tor, the user-friendliness of the user interface of the setting station was greatly improved.

In the second part of 2017 WTOCD had all the necessary elements for the fully automatic processing of diamonds with direct planning transfer (rough planner - setting station - WOSCAM pre-prototype). Multiple test stones were processed from 0.5 to 25ct. And the results were positively assessed by the potential users. The results achieved in 2017 form important input for the final optimization of the WOSCAM pre-prototype and the devel-opment of a WOSCAM Beta series in 2018.

Brilliant roughened and partly windowed with WOSCAM.

Different shapes processed fully automatically on WOSCAM.

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2.2.2 M-Screen

Target Group Gem diamond trade Description For the detection of synthetic and/or coloured enhanced diamond one relies on a certifi-cation lab that has the necessary specialised knowledge and equipment. Screening equipment allows in specific cases to distinguish quickly between natural, untreated dia-mond on the one hand and potentially synthetic and/or HPHT colour enhanced diamond on the other. The commercially available screening devices are to be operated manually, were designed for diamonds starting from 10-20 points or are too slow to screen large parcels of small diamonds in an acceptable time. That makes them in practice not suita-ble for screening batches of small stones. Therefore, WTOCD was contracted at the end of 2013 to develop a fast, compact and fully automatic melee screener.

To that aim various aspects had to be addressed: feeding, detection of non-diamond, screening for potential synthetic and HPHT colour enhanced diamonds, separation and general conditioning of the working environment. For the aspect of the screening for po-tential synthetic and HPHT colour enhanced diamonds WTOCD could rely on its extensive expertise acquired during the development of D-Screen. WTOCD developed that manual screener for diamonds from 0.20 to 10 ct already in 2004, and the unit is still in-dispensable in manual screening. Screening identifies all diamonds exhibiting a specific characteristic, in the case of M-Screen the lack of a measurable quantity of nitrogen. Because all synthetic diamonds within a colour range possess that property, the screening is useful for that color range. Because there are also natural diamonds that feature that characteristic, screening will select more diamonds than only the synthetic ones, hence the wording 'potential synthet-ic’. To obtain a conclusive answer whether a diamond is actually synthetic, potentially synthetic stones are referred to more time consuming techniques. Melee screening reduc-es a large batch of diamonds to a much smaller parcel for which time consuming manual techniques are acceptable.

Functional scheme of M-Screen.

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Activities in 2017 In the course of 2017 WTOCD intensively supported the Equipment department of HRD Antwerp in solving technical problems during the production and the maintenance of M-Screen and M-Screen Plus. Moreover the findings of users and participants of demonstra-tions were incorporated in M-Screen; this lead to the possibility of generating a personal-ized report. In the course of 2017, research was conducted to expand the possibilities of M-Screen Plus. The focus was mainly on limiting the number of natural diamonds that are catego-rized as potentially synthetic ('refer'). By the use of an extra measuring station in M-Screen Plus the referral rate can be reduced by a factor of 5. This upgrade will be inten-sively tested in 2018.

Start screen of M-Screen Plus.

Range of M-Screen and M-Screen Plus.

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2.2.3 Lumisense

Target Group Gem diamond trade Description

Lumisense was developed for HRD Antwerp to automate the colour grading process of polished diamond. The classical method for colour grading is based on visual observation. By using state-of-the-art technologies, Lumisense produces an extremely high correlation with human colour grading, avoiding the inherent restrictions of the human grading method. Lumisense is not restricted by fluorescence nor by the type of diamond and it can reveal the slightest changes in hues of colour. Precision and stability are key aspects of the de-vice optimized for laboratory use. Lumisense is functional in the HRD Diamond Lab since 2007. Activities in 2017 At the request of HRD Antwerp the calibration method was further optimized and the verification system for the fluorescence measurement was finalized. The fluorescence measurement, which runs simultaneously with the color determination, is now active on the various devices.

0.6 ct white fluo nil grade in Lumisense (intensity enhanced).

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2.2.4 AvalonPlus

Target Group Gem diamond industry Description The ‘zoetheid’ of a polished facet reflects the visibility of polishing lines, and it is graded by optical inspection. This project aims to establish a mathematical definition for the ‘zoetheid’ of a polished facet. The results are applied in the AvalonPlus device. That suc-cessor of the previous generation Avalon can not only quantify ‘zoetheid’ and other ex-ternal features but also measure the geometry of a facet being polished. Activities in 2017 In 2017 WTOCD started making the necessary changes to AvalonBasic, the basic version of AvalonPlus. To simplify the assembly and to avoid the disturbing presence of dust in the image, some components were replaced. Various computer hardware was further tested and that resulted in a very compact and price-friendly solution. By integrating both the built-in and the standalone version in a test stand, interested us-ers can evaluate the device. At various sector events the device was presented and enthusiastically welcomed by the visitors.

Built-in AvalonPlus Basic.

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2.2.5 Morgana

Target Group Gem diamond industry 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 the Morgana product group that offers a series of tools to the polisher. Four applications 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.

In order to assist the users of this new alignment technology, the Morgana software con-tains an extensive and clear on-screen manual. Activities in 2017 At the end of 2016, WTOCD produced a first test set-up of an angle measurement device as a spin-off from Morgana. With this device it will be possible to measure and adjust in-dex angles and inclination angles (relative to the table), to check whether the stone is correctly mounted (tilt table) and to put girdle facets perpendicular to the table and at an angle to each other; and all this without taking the stone out of the tang. Mid-2017 the first industrial tests with a pre-prototype of the angle gauge were carried out. A small series of pre-prototypes was then started and sold to interested parties. The devices were implemented directly in the production process and the feedback regarding time savings and quality improvement is extremely positive.

The Angle Gauge, a new member of the Morgana family.

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2.3 Service-activities (TAD)

2.3.1 Advice

Description Via its TAD service WTOCD not only advises the diamond industry on technological is-sues, but also on diamond related intellectual property. This helps diamond companies applying for and obtaining patents, trademarks and design patents, and advises in cases of possible infringement of intellectual property rights. Activities in 2017 In 2017 approximately 0.5 FTE was spent on the TAD-activity. Questions from the sector were answered in the form of technological and patent related advices. An important as-pect of the TAD activity is the introduction and support of new technologies.

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

Webpage (www.wtocd.be) of the TAD service of WTOCD.

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2.3.2 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 2017 Due to the higher priority for the current and new projects, the development of the new website has been postponed again in 2017. The downward trend noted in 2016 continued in 2017, resulting in almost 18% fewer visitors. Traditionally, Hearts & Arrows continues to enjoy the highest popularity within the Projects level. The color measurement with Lumisense and the most recent project M-Screen are also gaining popularity.

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Research and Innovation

in all its facets

www.wtocd.be