How Robot Arms Are Learning to Assemble Watch Movements

Watch movements contain hundreds of parts, some smaller than a grain of rice. For decades, assembling them required human hands and loupes. Now robotic arms are entering Swiss and Japanese watch factories. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how precision grippers, force control, and micro-vision systems enable robots to place balance wheels, screws, and gears with micron accuracy. They discuss the business case for watchmakers — from Swatch Group to independent ateliers — and whether robots will ever replace master watchmakers. Featuring a visit to the lab of start-up Microfact, which retrofits collaborative arms for horology. The hosts also touch on the economics: a robot that costs $40,000 can automate a repetitive sub-assembly that previously took a skilled worker 15 hours per watch. But the final regulation and finish remain human. Tune in for a look at the frontier of micro-assembly robotics. #Watchmaking #MicroAssembly #PrecisionRobotics #IndustrialRobots #CollaborativeRobots #SwissWatches #Horology #Automation #Manufacturing #FANUC #EpsonRobots #ForceControl #VisionSystems #Assembly #RoboticsBusiness #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #BusinessTechnology Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo