Waste (clock)

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In watchmaking, waste is the term for gear symmetry, i.e. the relative position of mechanical gear regulators and associated escapement parts . The escapement has the task of preventing the gear train from running freely and supplying the oscillation system with energy to maintain the oscillation. The inhibition results in a systematic and amplitude-dependent gait error , with most inhibitions a follow-up. The anchor escapements commonly used today feed the energy lost through friction to the oscillation system in the form of an impulse close to the rest position. The proportion of interference before and after the rest position has a significant influence on the rate error of the watch, which can be quantified by Airy 's relationships. For the watch to run accurately and stably, it is essential that the escapement play runs symmetrically during both half-oscillations of the rate regulator ( pendulum or balance wheel ).

Symptoms

If the gear symmetry is out of order, the clock "lags". The interval between two ticking noises is perceived as longer during one half cycle than during the other. First and foremost, the accuracy of the watch suffers (see Airy) and also the rate security, because in the event of a drop in amplitude , the escape wheel tooth tip cannot fall off the incorrectly positioned anchor pallet in a half oscillation and the watch stops.

In the case of large and therefore slowly oscillating pendulum clocks , you can recognize an uneven drop, the so-called drop error , by the irregular ticking. A timing machine is used for fast-swinging clocks .

correction

With high-quality pendulum clocks, the gear symmetry can be set on the waste adjuster of the anchor fork , with simple pendulum clocks this is done by carefully aligning the anchor fork.

In small watches, either an adjustable block holder (piton mobile) is attached to the balance cock or the spiral roller on the balance shaft has to be turned. The latter is particularly common in older pocket watches.

swell

  • Fritz von Osterhausen: Callwey's Uhrenlexikon , Callwey, Munich 1999, ISBN 3766713531