Synova, a Swiss-based provider of advanced laser cutting systems, recently unveiled its latest product, the DaVinci Diamond Factory that cuts and shapes a round brilliant diamond with 57-facets from rough in one fully automated process.

The company said that the new technology substantially decreases diamond production time by combining several manufacturing processes into one machine, and reduces the polishing processes to a final finishing step.

The heart of the DaVinci system is Synova's DCS 50, a highly accurate and well-established laser machine based on the advanced Laser MicroJetÒ technology, the company stated. The 5-axis CNC machine integrates Synova's patented breakthrough detection that recognizes when a cut is finished and automatically initiates facet changing.

With a water jet guided Laser MicroJet the diamond surface is cooled during laser ablation which significantly reduces the risk of rough diamond cracking, especially with stress stones. The water jet maintains the laser's focus creating a cylindrical laser beam resulting in perfectly parallel walls and tight kerf widths.

"DaVinci is the first automated laser full faceting solution for round brilliants on the market. It will revolutionize the diamond manufacturing industry because the system covers virtually the complete Rough-to-Polish process," says Dr Bernold Richerzhagen, Synova Founder and CEO. "Several cost, skill and labor-intensive steps in the polishing phase such as crown and pavilion blocking, girdle bruting or recurrent quality checks become redundant," he added.

This will allow manufacturing capacities to be increased or flexibly adapted according to seasonal demand and location, Synova said. It will enable customers to gain a higher and more predictable polished yield through greater accuracies and improved stone symmetries. Unlike when polishing, customers also see additional value by reusing diamond chips that are cut off from rough stones during laser cutting, Synova explained.

Some of the diamonds used for parts of the machine testing process were supplied by De Beers, a minority shareholder, Synova said.

Synova owns all patents of the DaVinci solution and related brands.

Pic caption: The DaVinci Diamond Factory

Pic courtesy: Synova