EP2688704A1

EP2688704A1 - Cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like

Info

Publication number: EP2688704A1
Application number: EP12710089.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco FREGA
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-03-25
Filing date: 2012-03-22
Publication date: 2014-01-29
Also published as: ITBO20110153A1; WO2012130737A1

Abstract

A cutting and working machine (1) particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like, comprising a supporting frame (2) for a resting and conveyance assembly (3) provided with an accommodation surface (4) for respective plates (5) made of ceramic material, stone-like material and the like. At least one cutting tool (6) is functionally associated with the frame and is in a configuration of substantial juxtaposition to the accommodation surface of the resting and conveyance assembly (3). The machine according to the invention comprises an abutment (7), along which a perimetric edge (8) of the plates (5) rests and is then made to slide. The abutment (7) can perform a translational motion parallel to the accommodation surface (4) along a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the advancement direction of the plates (5). The distance, preset by the user, of the abutment (7) from the at least one cutting tool (6) defines the width of the portion (9) to be removed from the plates (5).

Description

CUTTING AND WORKING MACHINE PARTICULARLY FOR CERAMIC MATERIAL, STONE-LIKE MATERIAL AND THE LIKE

The present invention relates to a cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like.

As is known, in the ceramics sector tiles are cut by using machines constituted substantially by a supporting frame for a conveyor belt, which is designed to transfer the plates, above which there is a driving shaft, the ends of which also are coupled to the frame.

Cutting means (generally constituted by discs which are mostly diamondized) are fitted on the driving shaft and are provided with adapted cooling apparatuses. Spacers are interposed between the cutting means and adjust their mutual position.

The plates are coupled to the conveyor belt by means of a series of presser bars and are pushed by the belt under the cutting means, which cut them longitudinally into strips whose width depends on the distance between one disk and the next.

One drawback of this type of machine is that many activities, such as its setup, configuration and maintenance, as well as the placement of the spacers, must be performed manually, often also by means of progressive approximation procedures, which require the repeated assembly and disassembly of the cutting means.

The interruption of the operation of the machine, termed machine downtime, that is required to perform these operations therefore causes considerable idle times which affect the entire production line, with a consequent cost increase.

This drawback is even more evident as the size of the production batches decreases.

Variations of machines are also known which have the particular characteristic of being provided with multiple driving shafts, generally from a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 4. This makes it possible to increase the production rate, since each additional shaft ensures that the tools remove a smaller amount of material, allowing the plate to advance faster.

The higher speed achieved during work, however, is at the expense of machine downtime.

By multiplying the number of tools that are mounted, the number of tool cooling apparatuses, the spacers to be measured and positioned, and the problems of alignment of the tools among the various shafts also increase, consequently causing an increase in the setup and maintenance times of the machine which in practice limit, or even eliminate, the time saved by the higher working speed of the machine.

Machines are also known in which the replacement and the adjustment of the distance among the tools is automated.

This enables to optimize machine setup times, but on the other hand does not enable to cut the plate into strips of reduced width (generally less than 15 cm).

Moreover, this second type of machine has a very high cost, so much as to be prohibitive, in particular for small businesses.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, by proposing a cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like, with reduced setup, configuration and maintenance times.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like that ensures reduced production costs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like that is highly versatile and flexible in use.

Another object of the invention is to propose a cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like that allows a high quality of the work and higher cutting precision.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like that generates a limited amount of waste material.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like that has a high cutting speed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like that has modest costs and is relatively simple to provide in practice and safe in application.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like, comprising a supporting frame for a resting and conveyance assembly provided with an accommodation surface for respective plates made of ceramic material, stone-like material and the like, at least one cutting tool being functionally associated with said frame in a configuration of substantial juxtaposition to said surface of said assembly, characterized in that it comprises an abutment, which is translatable parallel to said surface along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the advancement direction of the plates, for the sliding along said abutment by a perimetric edge of said plates, the distance, preset by the user, of said abutment from said at least one cutting tool defining the width of the portion to be removed from said plates.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like, according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a possible embodiment of a machine according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same machine of Figure 1, according to the invention, provided with some additional elements;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the same machine of Figure 1, according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the same machine of Figure 1, according to the invention, without some components for the sake of greater clarity;

Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the same machine of Figure 1 , according to the invention, in a step of the working process;

Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the same machine of Figure 1 , according to the invention, in another step of the working process.

With particular reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like, which comprises a supporting frame 2 for a resting and conveyance assembly 3.

The ceramic material, such as gres, porcelain stoneware, porcelain, earthenware and the like, at the end of the industrial production process of drying and firing (by single or dual firing), generally is provided in plates, which in order to facilitate their transport and depending on the applications (pavings, claddings) must be cut into portions, laminar elements or tiles having smaller dimensions.

The machine 1 according to the invention might also be used to cut and work other types of material in plate form such as stone, marble, granites, mortars and the like.

The resting and conveyance assembly 3 is provided with an accommodation surface 4 for respective plates 5 made of ceramic material, stone-like material and the like, which must be processed by the machine 1. At least one cutting tool 6 is functionally associated with the frame 2 and is in a configuration of substantial juxtaposition with respect to the accommodation surface of the resting and conveyance assembly 3.

According to the invention, the machine 1 comprises an abutment 7 along which a perimetric edge 8 of the plates 5 is rested and then made to slide.

The abutment 7 can perform a translational motion parallel to the accommodation surface 4 along a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the advancement direction of the plates 5.

The distance, preset by the user, of the abutment 7 from the at least one cutting tool 6 defines the width of the portion 9 to be removed from the plates 5.

In this manner it is possible to vary the width of the portion 9 to be removed from the plates 5 without changing the position of the at least one cutting tool 6.

Conveniently, the resting and conveyance assembly 3 comprises at least two conveyor belts 10 and 11, which face each other, are mutually proximate and define a conveyance plane for the plates 5 that are interposed between the belts 10 and 11.

In a different embodiment, the cutting tools 6 are at least two, are mutually opposite and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the resting and conveyance assembly 3.

This solution ensures a superior cutting quality and a higher yield than the background art and also with respect to the version with cutting tools on a single side, since the breaking point of the plates 5 is shifted from their bottom to their center, thus reducing the waste caused by the breaking of the material during cutting and chipping on the profile of the plate 5.

This makes it possible to provide high-precision and high-value work such as small tiles, thin strips, et cetera, which are difficult to provide with conventional machines. In another embodiment, the cutting tools 6 are at least two, are aligned along the advancement direction of the plates 5 and are arranged in series, the interference of the perimetric edge 12 of the tools 6 with the plates 5 increasing progressively along their advancement direction.

This characteristic also makes it possible to perform a cut with a trapezoidal profile, which is typical of particular kinds of work that are already in use: starting with a first tool of a certain thickness, for example 2 mm, and progressively decreasing the cutting thickness of the subsequent tools.

In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the cutting tools 6 are arranged in series on two symmetrical and mutually opposite rows.

Advantageously, the abutment 7 is constituted by a substantially straight movable bar 13, and an actuation system provided with a motor, generally a step motor, is provided between the bar 13 and the frame 2 for its controlled translational motion.

Each conveyor belt 10 and 11 comprises two conveyor belt parts (10a, 10b and 11a, l ib) which are mutually parallel and side by side; the cutting tool 6 is interposed between such belt parts (10a, 10b and 1 la, 1 lb).

An actuator is interposed between each cutting tool 6 and the frame 2 in order to adjust its position, as a function of the wear of its cutting edge, the wear being detected by adapted sensors.

Moreover, each tool 6 is actuated by a motor whose speed is controlled and determined by the mechanical stress to which the cutting tools 6 are subjected, thus optimizing the working conditions and the performance.

More precisely, a recirculation belt is arranged in a loop between the outlet and the inlet of the machine 1 in order to return the plates 5, already partially cut, to the inlet in order to be cut further until the plates 5 are used up. This occurs because the plate 5 is not cut into multiple strips simultaneously by way of cutting means arranged in parallel, as occurs in machines of the known type, but by means of successive passes of the plates 5 on a single tool 6 (or on a series of aligned cutting tools 6).

The method for cutting and working ceramic material, stone-like material and the like consists in setting the distance of an abutment 7 from at least one cutting tool 6, defining the width of a portion 9 to be removed from each plate 5.

One then proceeds by arranging the plates 5 on a resting and conveyance assembly 3, with a perimetric edge 8 of the plates 5 in contact with the abutment 7.

As a consequence of these operations, the resting and conveyance assembly 3 is actuated to move the plates 5 toward the at least one cutting tool 6.

It is then possible to cut each plate 5 by means of the at least one cutting tool 6, removing a portion 9 whose width corresponds to the distance between the abutment 7 and at least one cutting tool 6.

The process continues bypicking up, downstream of the at least one cutting tool 6, a portion 15 of each plate 5 for the subsequent return to the inlet of the machine 1 with a perimetric edge 8 thereof in sliding contact on the abutment 7 and by repeating the operations listed above until the plate 5 is used up.

The possibility to replace the cutting tools with a different type of tool, such as for example edge grinding wheels, capable of polishing and finishing the edges of the plates 5, is also not excluded.

In practice it has been found that the cutting and working machine particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since it proposes a machine that has reduced setup, configuration and maintenance times and reduced production costs, since in order to perform a format change it is not necessary to reposition the tools in relation to the width of the portion that one wishes to obtain, but while keeping them fixed the abutment 7 is moved, by means of a motor, translating it parallel to the accommodation surface 4 along a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the advancement direction of the plates 5.

This solution enables to perform format changes in real time, without the need to stop production: it is in fact sufficient to enter a new size, move the abutment 7 to the required position, and cut the plates 5 according to the new required width.

This method makes it possible to simplify and consequently speed up the setup, configuration and maintenance times, since it is no longer necessary to perform these operations manually, even by means of successive approximation procedures, which require the repeated assembly and disassembly of the cutting tools 6.

The machine 1 furthermore has a considerable versatility and flexibility in use: it is in fact possible to perform straight cuts of different types or to make straight cuts by using cutting tools 6 of the same thickness, with a trapezoidal profile with decreasing thickness.

In addition to this, the cutting tools can be replaced with a different type of tool, capable of providing different operations, such as for example polishing and grinding.

Another advantage is due to the presence of the two conveyor belts 10 and 11, which ensure a high stability of the plates 5 during work, ensuring considerable cutting precision.

It should also be noted that the machine 1 according to a different constructive solution makes it possible to generate a limited quantity of waste material due to the movement of the breaking point of the plates 5 from their bottom to their center, which makes it possible to reduce the breakages of the material and the chipping on the profile of the plate 5.

The machine 1 according to a further constructive solution allows a high cutting speed, since each tool, by being arranged in series to other cutting tools 6, removes a minimal amount of material, making it possible to work at a higher speed.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.

Moreover, it should be noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. BO2011A000153 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A cutting and working machine (1) particularly for ceramic material, stone-like material and the like, comprising a supporting frame (2) for a resting and conveyance assembly (3) provided with an accommodation surface (4) for respective plates (5) made of ceramic material, stone-like material and the like, at least one cutting tool (6) being functionally associated with said frame (2) in a configuration of substantial juxtaposition to said surface of said assembly (3), characterized in that it comprises an abutment (7), which is translatable parallel to said surface (4) along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the advancement direction of the plates (5), for the sliding along said abutment (7) by a perimetric edge (8) of said plates (5), the distance, preset by the user, of said abutment (7) from said at least one cutting tool (6) defining the width of the portion (9) to be removed from said plates (5).

2. The cutting and working machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said resting and conveyance assembly (3) comprises at least two conveyor belts (10, 11), which face each other and are proximate and define a conveyance surface for said plates (5) which are interposed between said belts (10, 11).

3. The cutting and working machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said cutting tools (6) are at least two and are mutually opposite, said tools (6) being arranged symmetrically with respect to said resting and conveyance assembly (3).

4. The cutting and working machine according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said cutting tools (6) are at least two, are aligned along the advancement direction of said plates (5) and are arranged in series, the interference of the perimetric edge (12) of said tools (6) with said plates (5) increasing progressively along the advancement direction of said plates (5).

5. The cutting and working machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said abutment (7) is constituted by a substantially straight movable bar (13), an actuation system being interposed between said bar (13) and said frame (2) and being provided with a motor, generally of the step type, for its controlled translational motion.

6. The cutting and working machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said conveyor belts (10,

11) comprises two conveyor belt parts (10a, 10b, 11a, l ib), which are mutually parallel and arranged side by side, said at least one cutting tool (6) being interposed between said two conveyor belt parts (10a, 10b, 11a, l ib).

7. The cutting and working machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actuator is interposed between each cutting tool (6) and said frame (2) in order to adjust its position, as a function of the wear of its cutting edge, said wear being detected by means of sensors.

8. The cutting and working machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a recirculation belt (14), which is arranged in a loop between the outlet and the inlet of said machine (1) and is adapted to return said plates (5), already partially cut, to the inlet of said machine (1), to be cut further until they are used up.

9. A method for cutting and working ceramic material, stone-like material and the like, which comprises the steps of:

setting the distance of an abutment (7) from at least one cutting tool (6), defining the width of a portion (9) to be removed from each plate (5); arranging at least one plate (5) on a resting and conveyance assembly (3), with a perimetric edge (8) thereof in contact with said abutment (7); actuating said resting and conveyance assembly (3) to move the at least one plate (5) toward said at least one cutting tool (6);

cutting each plate (5) by means of said at least one cutting tool (6), removing a portion (9) whose width corresponds to the distance of said abutment (7) from at least one cutting tool (6);

picking up, downstream of said at least one cutting tool (6), a portion (15) of each plate (5) for subsequent return to the inlet of said machine (1) with a perimetric edge (8) thereof in sliding contact on said abutment (7).