Introduction to Mechanical Arts

Training objectives:

At the end of this training course, you will have acquired basic knowledge of Art Mechanics in the following areas:

In addition, you will be able to describe the type of object you come across, analyse it with a view to its conservation, and plan for its safe transport and use.

You will have sufficient knowledge to follow the design or manufacture of mechanical art objects with professional craftsmen, draw up the specifications and become the project manager for such a project.

Finally, at the end of the course, each participant will leave with a School piece on which he or she has worked throughout the 4 weeks.

Target audience and prerequisites:

This course is particularly for

• graduates of art or technical schools (École de métiers, ES, HES, etc.)
• designers, interior decorators
• sales staff or employees of tourist offices
• curators, maintenance staff, technical staff or museum guides
• artisan jewellers, jewellers, watchmakers and art restorers
• collectors, auctioneers and art dealers
• or anyone interested in discovering this fascinating world, even those with no workshop experience.

The session can accommodate a maximum of 9 participants

Prerequisites: this is a very intensive course and requires a high level of motivation. Candidates must be of legal age, have sufficient training or experience outside the field of Art Mechanics and be able to understand and speak English.

As the number of places is limited, applicants must submit a curriculum vitae and a letter of motivation in order to pass the selection process.

Content:

Week 1 – At the heart of matter :

• The different materials used in art mechanics, their properties, functions and uses in the past and today Résonnance et matériaux
• Measurement tool technology
• Notions of machining, mechanical manufacturing and additive techniques, cutting tool technology, sawing, filing and drilling, bench-top manufacture of parts
• Demonstration of forging, welding and brazing techniques, and bronze casting techniques.

Week 2 – At the heart of time :

• Introduction to watchmaking, driving force theory, gear train, escapement regulator
• Assembling barrels, adjusting winding pins, forging hooks for weights, hardening and polishing anchors, assembling and adjusting escapement, lubrication, assembling hand, adjusting clocks.
• Analysis and design of participants’ objects, conservation and restoration techniques

Week 3 – At the heart of music :

• Mechanical music theory: types, arrangements, limitations, whistling birds, bellows, starting and stopping, old and new technologies, study of PLC functions, theory of cams and levers, finishes (mechanical, thermal, chemical).
• Pyramid assembly, hammers, bending, flywheel, airwheel, worm gear, cylinder pinning, blade brazing, assembly of stop and release levers, music cylinder assembly, blade assembly

Week 4 – At the heart of automation :

• History of art and automata, the different types of sculptures and animated paintings
• Customisation of the walker’s head, hands and feet, and finishing (bevelling, brushing, etc.) of the other parts of the walker’s body.
• Assembling the walker and coupling it to the test piece, making the levers, manufacturing the rods and springs, tracing and cutting the cams, adjusting and securing everything to the walker, mechanical finishing touches, final adjustments.

Training Delivery Method:

This course combines practical work in workshops, theory and visits to museums, factories and workshops related to the subject being taught.

Guest speakers:

Our lecturers are Master Craftsmen and specialists in their field, with excellent professional experience and a passion for passing on their knowledge. They will be with you every step of the way.

Dates and Duration:

• The module lasts 4 weeks, including Saturday mornings in weeks 1 to 3.
• Training hours are 8.00am – 12.00pm / 1.30pm – 6pm
• The next session will take place from Monday 16 June 2025 to Friday 11 July 2025.

Training venue:

This course takes place at

Institut de la Mécanique d’Art
Atelier Mec-art
Quartier des progrès 37
1450 Sainte-Croix • Suisse

A day in the historical forges of the Musée du Fer et du Chemin de fer in Vallorbe.

Training Price:

The cost of the session is CHF 9350.- (Swiss francs).

This price includes the training piece on which the participants will have worked, a tool kit, all lunches as well as visits and other activities.

Included teaching aids:

Each participant receives a course pack containing, in particular, the technical drawings of the training room.

Registration procedure:

You can register via the mec-art.ch website.

If the number of participants is limited, the order of registration will take precedence.

Registration is valid only once payment has been received.