CN110049825B

CN110049825B - Station for applying fluid substances to stone material

Info

Publication number: CN110049825B
Application number: CN201780075199.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·诺埃
Original assignee: Protec SRL
Current assignee: Protec SRL
Priority date: 2016-10-20
Filing date: 2017-10-19
Publication date: 2021-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-19
Also published as: EP3528966A1; BR112019007994B1; WO2018073776A1; CN110049825A; BR112019007994A2

Abstract

A station (10) for applying fluid substances onto stone material (L), comprising a support surface (13) for supporting the stone material and an applicator (21) for applying fluid substances onto slabs, said applicator (21) comprising a dispensing roller (26) or doctor blade (126) adapted to press and move thereon in order to dispense the fluid substances onto the slabs, automatic moving means (20) being provided to move said applicator (21) so as to allow automatic dispensing of the fluid substances.

Description

Station for applying fluid substances to stone material

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of processing blocks and slabs of stone material, such as marble and granite, and in particular it is an object of the invention a station for applying a fluid substance, such as but not limited to a resin, onto a slab of stone material.

Background

It is known that natural stone materials used in the construction field (e.g. marble, granite, etc.) should be treated, usually with epoxy resins, which can be either one-component resins or two-component resins, to improve their chemical and mechanical characteristics or only their appearance. The resin enters the cracks in the mat, thereby reinforcing the mat and providing it with a uniform surface.

Sometimes reinforcing meshes or sheets made of artificial fibres, such as glass, are fixed to the slabs of stone material by means of resins to improve their mechanical properties.

Typically, resin finishing is carried out by a production line which, in addition to the loading and unloading operations, provides:

drying cycle of the slabs in a convection oven at the desired temperature

One or more cycles of applying the epoxy resin, if necessary, also including the application of reinforcing webs or sheets,

catalytic cycling in an oven at the desired temperature.

In most existing production lines, the cycle of applying resin, reinforcing mesh or sheet is performed manually by an operator.

Sometimes, for applying the resin, a two-shaft automatic machine is used, which, after having read the slab profile, sprays the resin on the slab surface by means of a pump-nozzle system.

The reinforcing mesh or sheet may also be applied automatically to the surface of the slab and then covered with resin applied manually or by the same biaxial machine.

However, spraying the resin on the slabs presents significant drawbacks from the point of view of environmental and energy consumption. Indeed, even if a protective layer is provided around the resin-finished zone, the gaseous elements tend to leave this zone or they deposit on the machine elements, leading over time to hard deposits, leading to failure of the mechanical parts or to creation of obstacles in the suction means, with consequent damage to the adjacent working environment.

Furthermore, this technique requires the presence of an operator. In practice, after the first application of resin, it is generally necessary to apply the resin again at the site where the crack has penetrated too deeply. In fact, in these areas the resin tends to sink with respect to the outer surface, making the cracks visible again. The operator should identify the area where the resin sinks and should apply more resin thereon.

Obviously, the presence of labour is very detrimental to environmental health problems and to the speed and quality of interventions.

Similar problems arise with stations for applying fluid substances other than reinforcing resins (e.g. colouring substances, antioxidants).

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to solve the typical problems of known machines and processes for applying fluid substances to stone material.

Within this aim, an important object of the present invention is to provide a station for applying fluid substances to stone materials which is adapted to reduce the need for the operator when applying these substances, in particular when applying reinforcing resins.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a station for applying fluid substances to stone materials which enables an improved working precision.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a station for applying fluid substances to stone material, which is suitable for accelerating the entire process.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a station for applying fluid substances to stone materials which allows to reduce the amount of resin used.

It is a further important object of the present invention to provide a station for applying fluid substances to stone materials which is capable of reducing the harmful emissions of resins.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a station for applying fluid substances to stone materials which is reliable and requires less maintenance with respect to the stations of the prior art.

These and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a station for applying a fluid substance to a stone material, comprising a support surface for supporting a slab of stone material and an applicator for applying the fluid substance to the slab; the station is characterized in that the applicator comprises a dispensing roller adapted to press and move on the slab to dispense the fluid substance on said slab, automatic moving means being further provided to move the applicator to allow automatic dispensing of the fluid substance.

Sufficiently, the applicator may comprise a pressing member for pressing the roller against the slab and an adjustment device for adjusting the pressure exerted by the roller on the slab.

The applicator preferably comprises a support to which the roller is hinged to allow the rotation of said roller, i.e. the sliding of said roller on the slab; the pressing member comprises an actuator adapted to generate a force on the support so as to transmit the force to the roller and generate a pressure of the roller on the slab; the adjustment means for adjusting the pressure of the rollers on the slabs are adapted to act by adjusting the force of the actuator on the support.

Preferably, at least one actuator is a rotary actuator comprising a rotary member defining a power output of the rotary actuator for applying torque; the rotary member is preferably adapted to rotate coaxially and integrally with the power axis of the rotary actuator.

In fact, the power output of the actuator rotates differently than a translational actuator with a translational power output.

The support may suitably comprise at least one support body to which the roller is hinged; at least one support body is fixed to the rotating member so that, by applying a torque to the rotating member by means of a respective actuator, the support body and the roller tend to rotate about the axis of the rotating member and, therefore, in the case where the roller is arranged in contact with the slab and the support body is arranged obliquely, the torque applied to the rotating member in a torque direction corresponding to the direction in which the roller moves towards the slab causes an increase in the pressure exerted by the roller on the slab, while the decrease in the torque direction causes a decrease in the pressure exerted by the roller on the slab.

The pressing member preferably comprises two rotary actuators arranged opposite each other and the axis of the respective rotary member matches the axis of the power output of the actuator, aligned with each other; a support body is integrally fixed to each rotary member, so that the rollers are hinged to pairs of support bodies which can rotate about coinciding power axes of the rotary actuators.

In other embodiments, the pressing member comprises only one rotary actuator; a shaft is fixed to a rotary member of the rotary actuator, the rotary member defining a power output of the actuator, the shaft being coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rotary member, i.e. coaxial with the axis of rotation of the power output; a support body, to which the roller is hinged, is provided at least one end of the shaft; the two support bodies, to which the rollers are hinged, are preferably provided at opposite ends of a shaft, said support bodies being adapted to rotate integrally with said shaft. According to a preferred embodiment, the rotary actuator is of the pneumatic type and comprises adjusting means for adjusting the actuation pressure of the compressed air.

The applicator preferably includes a measuring device for measuring the torque applied to the shaft.

According to a preferred embodiment, the applicator comprises at least one nozzle from which the fluid substance is discharged for deposition on the slab, said nozzle being associated with a fluid substance supply system.

In other embodiments, the at least one nozzle from which the fluid substance is expelled is separate from the applicator.

In other embodiments, the at least one nozzle from which the fluid substance is discharged is not provided in this station, but in an upstream station.

In a preferred embodiment, the mobile device is digitally controlled.

In a preferred embodiment, the moving means provide the applicator with at least three degrees of freedom, and in particular a translation at least parallel to the slab supporting surface, a rotation at least about a vertical axis and a rotation at least about a horizontal axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the moving device comprises a dummy arm, the applicator being arranged at an operative end of the dummy arm.

In a preferred embodiment, the moving means comprise a carriage arranged above and spaced from the slab supporting surface, wherein the applicator is suspended from the carriage.

The humanoid arm is preferably suspended from the carriage; in practice, the humanoid arm has a base fixed to the carriage, and the arm extends downwards from the base. In fact, the carriage and the anthropomorphic arm are arranged at a higher level than the slab supporting surface; in particular, they are both arranged at a higher level than the upper surface of the slab. Thus, having defined as a construction parameter the maximum thickness of the slab that can be processed in the station, the carriage and the anthropomorphic arm are arranged at a higher height with respect to a distance from the slab supporting surface equal to the maximum thickness of the slab.

The applicator preferably has at least six degrees of freedom of movement.

The station preferably comprises a support structure provided with a cross bar arranged above the support surface, wherein the carriage is slidably arranged on the cross bar.

In a preferred embodiment, the support surface is a bearing portion of a conveyor belt.

The carriage may preferably be translated in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

In other embodiments, the carriage may translate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

In other embodiments, the carriage may be translatable in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt and in a direction perpendicular to the conveyor belt.

The application station is preferably a resin finishing station for applying the reinforcing resin to the stone material, and the fluid substance is thus the reinforcing resin.

According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a station for applying a fluid substance to a stone material, comprising a support surface for a slab of stone material and an applicator for applying the fluid substance to the slab; the station is characterized in that the applicator comprises a dispensing doctor adapted to press and move on the slab in order to dispense the fluid substance on the slab, automatic moving means being provided to move the applicator so as to allow automatic dispensing of the fluid substance.

"doctor blade" means a substantially rigid member having a region extending primarily linearly and adapted to contact the slab. In practice, the spatula is a spatula for dispensing the fluid substance.

It is sufficient that the applicator comprises a pressing member for pressing the doctor blade against the slab, and an adjustment device for adjusting the pressure of the doctor blade against the slab.

The applicator preferably comprises a support member, wherein the doctor blade is fixed (preferably rigidly fixed) to the support member so as to move on the slab to contact said slab; the pressing member comprises an actuator adapted to generate a force on the support in order to transmit the force to the scraper and to generate a pressure of the scraper on the slab; the adjustment means for adjusting the pressure of the doctor blade on the slab are adapted to act by adjusting the force of the actuator on the support.

Preferably, the at least one actuator is a rotary actuator comprising a rotary member defining a power output of the rotary actuator for applying torque; the rotary member is preferably adapted to rotate coaxially and integrally with the power axis of the rotary actuator.

The support may suitably comprise at least one support body to which the scraper is hinged; at least one support body is fixed to the rotating member so that, by applying a torque to the rotating member by means of a respective actuator, the support body and the scraper tend to rotate about the axis of the rotating member and, therefore, in the case of a scraper arranged in contact with the slab and with the support body arranged obliquely, the torque applied to the rotating member in a torque direction corresponding to the direction in which the scraper moves towards the slab causes an increase in the pressure of the scraper on the slab, while a decrease in the torque in this torque direction causes a decrease in the pressure of the scraper on the slab.

The pressing member preferably comprises two rotary actuators arranged opposite each other and the axis of the respective rotary member matches the axis of the power output of the actuator, aligned with each other; a support body is integrally fixed to each rotary member, so that the scraper is hinged to a pair of support bodies which can rotate about the coinciding power axes of the rotary actuators.

In other embodiments, the pressing member comprises only one rotary actuator; a shaft is fixed to the rotary member of the actuator, said rotary member defining the power output of the actuator, said shaft being coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rotary member, i.e. with the axis of rotation of the power output; a support body provided at least one end of the shaft, the scraper being fixed to the support body; two support bodies, to which the doctor blades are fixed, are preferably provided at opposite ends of the shaft, said support bodies being adapted to rotate integrally with said shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the rotary actuator is of the pneumatic type and comprises adjusting means for adjusting the actuation pressure of the compressed air.

In a preferred embodiment, the applicator comprises at least one nozzle from which the fluid substance is discharged for deposition on the slab, the nozzle being associated with a fluid substance supply system.

In a preferred embodiment, the mobile device is digitally controlled.

A humanoid arm is preferably suspended from the carriage; in practice, the humanoid arm has a base fixed to the carriage, and the arm extends downwards from the base. In fact, the carriage and the anthropomorphic arm are arranged at a higher level than the slab supporting surface; in particular, they are both arranged at a higher level than the upper surface of the slab. Thus, having defined as a construction parameter the maximum thickness of the slab that can be processed in the station, the carriage and the anthropomorphic arm are arranged at a higher height with respect to a distance from the slab supporting surface equal to the maximum thickness of the slab.

The applicator preferably has at least six degrees of freedom of movement.

In a preferred embodiment the support surface is a bearing part of a conveyor belt or the like.

Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is an isometric view of the top of a resin finishing station for slabs of stone material according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the resin finishing station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows the resin applicator of the resin preparation station of the previous figures with some parts removed to make its interior visible;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a variation of the resin applicator of FIG. 4 with some components removed to make the interior visible;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a variation of the workstation according to the invention illustrated in the previous figures;

fig. 7 is a front view of a modification of the resin applicator of fig. 4.

Detailed Description

With reference to the figures, numeral 10 indicates as a whole a station for applying fluid substances to slabs of stone material according to the invention. More specifically, the station is a resin finishing station for slabs of stone material.

For example, the resin finishing station is inserted into a resin finishing line (not shown in the drawings) that includes various processing stations, such as a loading station, a mat drying station (which includes, for example, one or more drying ovens), a resin finishing station, a resin catalysis station, a second resin finishing station and a second catalysis station (optional), and an unloading station. Obviously, other stations may be provided in combination with the stations listed above.

The resin finishing station 10 can be provided with devices for applying reinforcing meshes or sheets to the slabs, which are not shown in the figures.

The resin finishing station 10 comprises a base 11 integral with a conveyor belt 12 defining at the top a support surface 13 for the slabs L of stone material and a direction of feed f from an inlet area 14 to an outlet area 15 for interacting with the various processing stations of the resin finishing line.

The resin finishing station 10 also comprises a support structure 16, for example a rack structure, provided with four uprights 17 arranged at opposite ends of opposite sides of the conveyor belt and connected at the top by four cross bars 18. Between the two crossbars 18 perpendicular to the direction f of feeding of the slabs, the upper central crossbar 19 of the supporting structure is arranged parallel to the direction f, preferably in correspondence with the centre line of the supporting surface 13. An upper central crossbar 19 is arranged spaced above the support surface 13, which overlaps, i.e. intersects, the area of the support surface in a plane.

A numerically controlled automatic moving device 20 is associated with the upper central crossbar 19 for moving the resin applicator 21 on the slabs L.

The moving means allow six degrees of freedom for the applicator 21, as will be better explained below. Applicator 21 is suspended from upper central cross-bar 19 by a displacement device 20.

The movement means 20 comprise a carriage 22 slidably arranged on the upper central crossbar 19 according to a direction g, i.e. parallel to the support surface of the slabs L and to the slab feeding direction f. In other embodiments, the crossbar 19 may be orthogonal to the crossbar of the above examples, and the carriage thus slides perpendicular to the direction f.

On a lower portion of the carriage (e.g., below the upper central crossbar 19), at an operating end 23A where the resin applicator 21 is disposed, a dummy arm 23 is disposed.

The dummy arm 23 comprises a base 23B hinged to the carriage 22 according to the vertical axis z. The first intermediate member 23C is hinged to the base 23B according to a horizontal axis h; the second intermediate member 23D is hinged to the first intermediate member 23C according to a horizontal axis h'. The operating end 23A is hinged to the second intermediate member according to an axis k orthogonal to the axis h or h'. The applicator 21 is hinged to the operating end 23A by a support bracket 24 according to an axis perpendicular to its axis k.

The resin applicator 21 has a box-shaped central portion 25 to which a support bracket 24 is fastened and with which a resin dispensing roller 26 is associated, at the opposite side with respect to the bracket 24, by means of the support to which it is hinged. In particular, the support of the rollers comprises two support bodies 27, wherein the rollers 26 are hinged to respective first ends of the support bodies, while the second ends of said support bodies are integrally fixed to a shaft 28 passing through the inside of the box-shaped central portion 25.

As best shown in fig. 4, the resin applicator 21 also includes a pressing member that allows the roller 26 to be pressed against the slab L. In particular, the pressing means are implemented by actuators 29, said actuators 29 being adapted to generate a force on the supports 27 to 28 so as to transmit this force to the rollers 26 and press them against the slab L.

Sufficiently, the actuator 29 is a rotary actuator, the power output of which is defined by a rotary member 29A (which rotates coaxially and integrally with the power axis n of the actuator), wherein the shaft 28 is fixed to the rotary member (which is coaxial with the rotation axis n of the rotary member 29A), allowing a torque J to be generated on the shaft 28, so that, when the roller 26 contacts the slab L and the support body 27 of the roller is arranged obliquely (i.e. with respect to the plane in which the hinge axis m of the roller 26 and the axis n of the shaft 28 lie inclined with respect to the support surface 13), the torque J applied to the shaft in a torque direction corresponding to the direction of movement of the roller towards the slab causes an increase in the pressure of the roller on the slab, while the decrease in the torque J in this torque direction causes a decrease in the pressure of the roller 26 on the slab L.

An adjustment device is provided for adjusting the pressure of the rollers 26 on the slab L, which is adapted to act by adjusting the force (i.e. the torque) of the actuator 29 acting on the supports 27 to 28 (i.e. on the set shaft-supporting body).

The actuator 29 is preferably a rotary actuator of the known pneumatic type and comprises, as is known, regulation means for regulating the actuation pressure of compressed air (not shown in the figures) in an internal chamber of the actuator.

In effect, the rollers 26 contact the slab. The rotary actuator 29 has a given pressure value, due to the compressed air in its internal chamber, which corresponds to the torsion force, i.e. the torque, at the shaft 28 in the direction of keeping the rollers in contact with the slab L. It is clear that the slabs transmit a force that prevents the rollers from rotating around the axis of the shaft 28. By varying the pressure of the compressed air in the rotary actuator 29, the torque transmitted to the shaft 28, and therefore also the pressure of the rollers acting on the slabs, varies. By setting the value of the compressed air in the chamber of the actuator and keeping it constant during the resin finishing, the pressure exerted by the rollers on the mat will be substantially constant.

In fig. 5, a modification of the resin applicator 21, in particular a modification of the roller pressing member, is shown. In this variant, two rotary actuators 129 are provided, which are fastened to opposite sides of the box-shaped central portion 25, and in which the axes of the respective rotary members 129A match, aligned together, with the axis of the power output of the actuators, i.e. they have a common axis of rotation n. The supporting bodies 27 for the rollers 26 are integrally fastened to each rotating member 129A, so that the rollers are hinged to pairs of supporting bodies 27, which rotate about a common axis n matching the power axes of the two rotary actuators 129. This operation is similar to that described above with reference to a single actuator having a shaft to which two roller support bodies are fixed. In this case, two adjustment devices are provided for adjusting the pressure of the rollers 26 on the slab L, which are adapted to act by adjusting the force (i.e. the torque) of the actuator 29 on the support 27.

The resin applicator 21 further comprises a nozzle 30 from which the resin is discharged for deposition on the mat, and which is associated with a resin supply system, not shown, comprising a pump for delivering the resin to the nozzle and one or more tanks for the resin, for example tanks for mixing to have two components of a two-component resin before being discharged from the nozzle. Other types of resins are obviously possible.

For clarity of illustration of the drawing, the compressed air system supplying the actuators, the resin supply system, and the electrical system for powering the electrical/electronic components of the actuators are not shown, as they are known to the person skilled in the art.

Around the frame structure are provided walls and a ceiling (not shown) for isolating the stations.

Fig. 6 shows a variant of the station, which is designated by reference numeral 100. This station comprises a base 11 integral with a conveyor belt 12 defining at the top a support surface 13 for the slabs L of stone material and a direction of feed f from the inlet area to the outlet area for interaction with the various processing stations of the resin finishing line.

The resin finishing station 10 further comprises a cantilever support structure 116 provided with two uprights 117 at opposite ends of the conveyor belt, on the same side; the two uprights have two portions 117A projecting in cantilevered manner transversely to direction f above the space occupied by surface 13, connected together by an upper crossbar 119 parallel to direction f and arranged above the space above surface 13, preferably in correspondence with the centre line of support surface 13.

A numerically controlled automatic movement device 20 is associated with the upper central crossbar 119 (which is substantially identical to the central crossbar 19 of the previous example) for moving the resin applicator 21 on the slabs L, which is identical to the above example and therefore not described again.

The resin finishing station disclosed above solves the problems of the prior art stations and has the advantages described below.

First, the use of a dispensing roller allows the resin to be dispensed without spraying the resin, thereby reducing its spread in the environment.

Furthermore, the use of dispensing rollers allows for optimal resin application to avoid any excess resin (that should be removed) and insufficient resin, thereby improving production time and cost.

The station configuration also allows operation in particularly confined environments, further limiting the spread of resin.

The use of a station according to the invention allows to optimize the labour force required in the resin finishing line.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a variation of the resin applicator 21, which is equipped with a dispensing blade 126 instead of a roller. From a structural point of view, the applicator is substantially identical to the applicator of the example described above, with the only difference being that instead of a roller, a doctor blade 126 is provided, which is integrally fixed to the support 27 (and therefore it does not rotate about the axis m like the roller), and which can oscillate, i.e. only tilt about the axis n of the at least one rotary actuator 29. Thus, for the description of an applicator equipped with a doctor blade instead of a roller, reference may be made to the description of the applicator (and the figures) above, only considering that the doctor blade (or spatula) 126 is integral with the support 27, and therefore only rotates with respect to the axis of the rotary actuator (for example, the doctor blade is integrally fixed to the rod 127H, which is integrally fixed at the end to the support body 27).

"doctor blade" means a substantially rigid member having a region 126A extending primarily linearly and adapted to contact the slab. The scraper 126 is in fact a spatula, for example made of steel (for example tempered steel) for dispensing the fluid substance.

It is understood that the illustrated content represents only possible non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which may vary in forms and arrangements without however departing from the scope of the concept on which the invention is based. Any reference signs in the appended claims are provided solely for the purpose of facilitating reading of the invention in light of the above description and drawings and do not in any way limit the scope of protection.

Claims

1. An application station (10) for applying a fluid substance to a stone material, comprising a slab supporting surface (13) for supporting a slab (L) of stone material and an applicator (21) for applying the fluid substance to the slab, wherein the applicator (21) comprises a dispensing roller (26) adapted to press and move on the slab (L) in order to dispense the fluid substance on the slab (L), the application station being provided with automatic movement means (20) for moving the applicator (21) so as to allow automatic dispensing of the fluid substance,

the applicator (21) comprising a pressing member (29, 129) for pressing the dispensing roller (26) against the slab (L) and a pressure regulating device for regulating the pressure of the dispensing roller (26) on the slab,

wherein the applicator (21) comprises a support (27, 28) to which the dispensing roller (26) is hinged to allow rotation of the dispensing roller on the slab, the pressing member comprising at least one actuator adapted to generate a force on the support (27, 28) so as to transmit said force to the dispensing roller (26) and generate a pressure of the dispensing roller (26) on the slab (L), the pressure adjusting means being adapted to adjust the pressure of the dispensing roller on the slab, the pressure adjusting means being adapted to act by adjusting the force of the at least one actuator on the support (27, 28),

wherein the actuator is a rotary actuator of the pneumatic type and comprises adjustment means for adjusting the actuation pressure of the compressed air in the internal chamber of the actuator, wherein, by setting the value of the compressed air in the internal chamber of the actuator and keeping it constant during resin finishing, the pressure of the dispensing roller acting on the slab will be substantially constant, the actuator further comprising a rotary member defining the power output of the rotary actuator for applying a torque; the supports (27, 28) comprise at least one support body to which the distribution roller (26) is hinged, fixed to the rotating member in such a way that the supports (27, 28) and the distribution roller (26) tend to be driven in rotation about the axis of the rotating member by applying a torque to the rotating member by means of the actuator, in such a way that, when the distribution roller (26) is arranged in contact with the slab (L) and the support body is tilted, the torque applied to the rotating member in a torque direction corresponding to the direction of movement of the distribution roller (26) towards the slab (L) causes an increase in the pressure of the distribution roller (26) on the slab, while the decrease in the torque direction causes a decrease in the pressure between the distribution roller (26) and the slab (L),

wherein the applicator (21) comprises at least one nozzle (30) from which a fluid substance is discharged for deposition on the slab (L), the nozzle (30) being associated with a supply system for supplying the fluid substance.

2. An application station according to claim 1 wherein the actuator is a rotary actuator including a rotary member defining a power output of the rotary actuator, the rotary member being adapted to rotate coaxially and integrally with a power axis of the rotary actuator.

3. An application station according to claim 1 wherein the pressing member comprises two of the rotary actuators arranged opposite each other with the axes of the respective rotary members matching the axis of the power output of the actuators, aligned with each other; the respective support body is integrally fixed to each rotary member, so that the distribution roller is hinged to the pair of support bodies, which are rotatable about the coinciding power axes of the rotary actuators.

4. An application station according to claim 1, wherein the at least one rotary actuator is of the pneumatic type and comprises actuation pressure adjustment means for adjusting the actuation pressure of compressed air.

5. An application station according to claim 1, comprising measuring means for measuring the torque applied to the shaft forming the support (27, 28).

6. An application station according to claim 1 wherein the automated movement means is digitally controlled.

7. An application station according to claim 1, wherein the automatic movement means provide the applicator with at least three degrees of freedom, and in particular a translation at least parallel to the slab support surface, a rotation at least about a vertical axis and a rotation at least about a horizontal axis.

8. The application station of claim 1, wherein the automated movement device comprises a mock arm, wherein the applicator is disposed at an operative end of the mock arm.

9. The application station according to claim 8, wherein the automatic movement device (20) comprises a carriage (22) arranged above the slab support surface (13) and spaced apart from the slab support surface (13), wherein the applicator (21) is suspended from the carriage.

10. An application station according to claim 9, wherein the dummy arm (23) is suspended from the carriage (22).

11. The application station according to claim 1, wherein the applicator (21) has at least six degrees of freedom of movement.

12. An application station according to claim 9, comprising a support structure (16) provided with a cross-bar (18) arranged above the slab support surface (13), which cross-bar overlaps, i.e. crosses, in a plane with the area of the slab support surface (13), and wherein the carriage (22) is slidably arranged on the cross-bar.

13. An application station according to claim 9, wherein the slab-supporting surface (13) is a bearing portion of a conveyor belt (12).

14. The application station according to claim 13, wherein the carriage (22) is translatable in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt (12).

15. An application station according to claim 1, wherein the fluid substance is a reinforcing resin, so that the application station is a resin finishing station for applying the reinforcing resin onto a slab of stone material.

16. An application station according to claim 12, the support structure (16) being a cradle structure or a cantilever structure.