EP2911849A1

EP2911849A1 - Equipment for cutting slabs of ceramic material

Info

Publication number: EP2911849A1
Application number: EP13821969.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabio Corradini; Mario Corradini
Original assignee: Ancora SpA
Current assignee: Ancora SpA
Priority date: 2012-10-25
Filing date: 2013-10-24
Publication date: 2015-09-02
Also published as: CN104884216A; RU2015117229A; RU2666825C2; CN104884216B; ITMO20120262A1; BR112015009405A2; WO2014064628A1

Abstract

The equipment (1) for cutting slabs of ceramic material comprises a frame (2) for bearing movement means of at least a slab of ceramic material to cut along a forward direction (4), first cutting means (5) with water jet, arranged along the forward direction (4) and suitable for cutting the slab along a first cutting direction to obtain a plurality of strips (L), and second cutting means (22) with water jet, arranged downstream of the first cutting means (5) and suitable for cutting the strips (L) along a second cutting direction transversal to the first cutting direction to obtain a plurality of products (C).

Description

EQUIPMENT FOR CUTTING SLABS OF CERAMIC MATERIAL

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a piece of equipment for cutting slabs of ceramic material, in particular large-size slabs.

Background Art

It is by now known that large-size ceramic slabs, e.g., of the 1m X 3m or 1.2m X 3.6m type, are used to an increasing extent to cover walls or floors.

There is also a growing need to cut these slabs into several parts and obtain smaller sizes. Because these slabs are generally installed without joints, it is absolutely necessary for them to be cut as precisely as possible. Furthermore, such slabs have a much reduced thickness in relation to the other dimensions, which makes them very fragile, and consequently it is also necessary that the cutting operation involve a much reduced mechanical stress in order to prevent their accidental breakage.

The cutting of ceramic slabs is generally performed using a piece of equipment having a plurality of rotating blades suitable for cutting the slabs themselves along predefined cutting directions.

This equipment of known type does have several drawbacks.

They are in fact considerably complex from a structural viewpoint inasmuch as they are arranged to permit the movement of the rotating blades, which have to cross the entire thickness of the slab to be cut without interfering with the supporting table of the slab itself, and to compensate for the gradual wear of the blades.

Such equipment is also expensive in terms of investment and maintenance, inasmuch as it requires the performance of a large number of jobs to replace the components subject to wear, as well as to deal with malfunctions or breakages. Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a piece of equipment that permits cutting slabs of ceramic material, including of large size, in an effective and practical way.

Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to provide a piece of equipment which is considerably simpler, from a construction and maintenance viewpoint, compared to equipment of known type and which is, at the same time, flexible to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a piece of equipment for cutting slabs of ceramic material which allow overcoming the mentioned drawbacks of the state of the art within the ambit of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low cost solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present equipment for cutting slabs of ceramic material according to claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not sole, embodiment of a piece of equipment for cutting slabs of ceramic material, illustrated purely as an example but not limited to the annexed drawings in which:

figure 1 is an axonometric view of a piece of equipment according to the invention;

figure 2 is an enlargement of a first detail of the piece of equipment in figure 1; figure 3 is an enlargement of a second detail of the piece of equipment in figure i;

figure 4 is an enlargement of a third detail of the piece of equipment in figure 1 ; figure 5 is an enlargement of a fourth detail of the piece of equipment in figure 1;

figure 6 is an enlargement of a fifth detail of the piece of equipment in figure 1 ; figure 7 is a plan view from above of the piece of equipment in figure 1.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to such figures, globally indicated by 1 is a piece of equipment for cutting slabs of ceramic material.

The equipment 1 comprises a frame 2 for bearing the movement means of at least a slab of ceramic material along a forward direction, the latter being identified in the illustrations by the number 4. More in particular, the movement means define a supporting surface of the slab to be cut.

The equipment 1 comprises, according to the invention, first cutting means 5 with water jet, arranged along the forward direction 4 and suitable for cutting the ceramic slab along a first cutting direction, so as to obtain a plurality of strips L.

As the technician in the sector knows, water-jet cutting envisages the use of a jet of work liquid (e.g., water) under high pressure to cut materials of various kinds. Generally speaking, an abrasive material in particles is added to the work liquid to also permit cutting very hard materials.

The first cutting means 5 comprise a plurality of cutting heads 5a with water jet which are arranged above the supporting surface of the ceramic slab and which are mobile along an adjustment direction 5b transversal to the forward direction 4. The cutting heads 5a are associated sliding along a guide element 6 which extends in the adjustment direction 5b. More in particular, the adjustment direction 5b is substantially horizontal.

Each cutting head 5a, furthermore, has a relative nozzle (not visible in detail in the illustrations) suitable for dispensing the work liquid under high pressure. Suitably, the first cutting direction and the adjustment direction 5b are substantially parallel and perpendicular, respectively, to the forward direction 4. The strips L thus obtained therefore have at least one side substantially parallel to the forward direction 4.

Advantageously, the cutting heads 5a are mobile in a way independent of one another along the adjustment direction 5b.

More in detail, each cutting head 5a comprises a screw-screw nut coupling, e.g., of the ball-bearing type, and motor means, e.g., of the brushless motor type, which are suitable for starting the screw nut of the relative cutting head 5a in rotation. This way, only the motor means of the cutting head/s to be moved can be selectively operated, thus optimizing their movement.

The First cutting means 5 also comprise supply means 12 for supplying the work liquid to the cutting heads 5a. More in particular, such supply means 12 comprise a transport duct 12a for the work liquid along which are arranged a plurality of control valves 12b in correspondence to which an equal number of channels 12c branch out, each of which connected to a respective cutting head 5a.

The movement means comprise a first entry station 7 to the first cutting means 5 and a first exit station 8 from the first cutting means themselves. The first entry station 7 and the first exit station 8 are therefore arranged upstream and downstream of the first cutting means 5 respectively.

In the present description, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are referred in relation to the forward direction 4.

In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the first entry station 7 comprises two motorized belts 7a, which move in synchrony with one another and have an adjustable centre distance so as to be able to adapt to various types of sizes of the ceramic slab to be cut. Alternative embodiments of the first entry station 7 cannot however be ruled out, e.g., comprising a plurality of motorized rollers. The equipment 1 also comprises, in correspondence to the first entry station 7, first centring means suitable for positioning the ceramic slab along a direction transversal to the forward direction 4.

More in particular, the first centring means comprise a pair of centring means 7b arranged on the opposite sides of the slab and mobile in the direction of reciprocal approach/away movement. The centring means 7b, in moving reciprocally closer, contact the opposite sides of the slab so as to convey the latter to the desired transversal position. Preferably, the centring means 7b are pneumatically controlled.

The equipment 1 also comprises first pressing means 9 arranged upstream of the first cutting means 5.

The first pressing means 9 comprise one or more pressing elements suitable for contacting the face of the slab to be cut turned upwards and applying to this a pressure such as to stop its movements transversal to the forward direction 4. The pressing elements 9, generally greater than one in number, comprise a rod of elongated shape and supporting a plurality of sprung small wheels free to rotate around their relative axes, intended to make contact with the upper face of the slab to be cut.

The pressing elements 9 are also vertically mobile in approach/away movement from the support surface of the ceramic slab.

Suitably, the pressing elements 9 are suitable for cooperating with the slab in their lowered position, to prevent its moving transversally when it is released by the centring means 7b.

In the particular, but not exclusive embodiment shown in the illustrations, the first exit station 8 comprises a plurality of rollers 10 which can be operated in rotation around the respective axes.

The equipment 1 also comprises second pressing means 11 arranged downstream of the first cutting means 5 and suitable for locking the position of the strips L in a direction transversal to the forward direction 4. Preferably, the second pressing means 11 comprise a plurality of pressing elements, each of which is suitable for applying a predefined pressure on the relative strip L, shaped in the same way as the pressing elements 9 described above. The pressing elements 11 have adjustable centre distance.

The first entry station 7 and the first exit station 8 are spaced to define a flow space arranged underneath the cutting heads 5a. This flow space is suitable for being crossed by the work liquid dispensed by the cutting heads 5a.

Underneath the flow space of the work liquid between the stations 7 and 8 a tank is located for recovering the dispensed work liquid. More in detail, the tank is of the underground type and has wheels to permit its extraction from work position in order to obtam easier access for carrying out maintenance and cleaning jobs. The particles of the abrasive material which has been added to the work liquid are collected up on the bottom of the tank and are removed by means of first extraction means 40.

The movement means comprise, downstream of the first exit station 8, a first transport section 15 with timing belt 15a. The belts 15a, e.g., driven by a worm screw gear motor, are spaced the one from the other so as to support a broad range of strips L and so as to allow the strips of material produced by the first and the last cut, called "scraps", to fall. In this respect, underneath the belts 15a a hopper 16 is housed to collect up the scraps below which is arranged a belt conveyor system 17 suitable for conveying the scraps into a collection tank 18. Downstream of the belts 15a are arranged variation means for varying the forward movement side of strips L. Such variation means comprise first deviation means 19 of the forward direction 4. More in detail, the first deviation means 19 are suitable for deviating the forward direction 4 of the strips L by an angle of about 90°, while maintaining their position unchanged. In the particular embodiment shown in the illustrations, the first deviation means 19 comprise a plurality of rollers 20 suitable for receiving the strips L arriving from the belts 15a and between which are placed some liftable belts 21 which make the variation in the above direction.

The first deviation means 19 also comprise a locator element not visible in detail in the illustrations, against which rest the strips L and which permits their reciprocal alignment.

According to the invention, the equipment 1 comprises second cutting means 22 with water jet, arranged downstream of the first cutting means 5, and suitable for cutting the strips L along a second cutting direction transversal to the first cutting direction so as to obtain a plurality of products C.

The second cutting means 22 with water jet have a structure substantially similar to that of the first cutting means 5, which is therefore recalled by analogy.

More in particular, the second cutting means 22 also comprise a plurality of cutting heads 22a with water jet arranged above the support surface of the strips L and moving independently the one from the other along an adjustment direction 22b transversal to the forward direction 4. The cutting heads 22a are associated sliding along a guide element 27 which extends in the adjustment direction 22b, the latter being substantially horizontal.

Each cutting head 22a, furthermore, has a relative nozzle (not visible in detail in the illustrations) suitable for dispensing the work liquid at high pressure.

In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the adjustment direction 22b and the second cutting direction are substantially perpendicular and parallel to the forward direction 4 respectively.

The first and the second cutting directions are therefore both parallel to the forward direction 4 and transversal the one to the other inasmuch as, as described above, the trajectory of the forward direction itself is changed by the variation means and, more in particular, by the first deviation means 19 along the section placed between the first and the second cutting means 5 and 22. The second cutting means 22 also comprise supply means 28 for supplying the work liquid to the cutting heads 22a. More in particular, such supply means 28 comprise a transport duct 28a of the work liquid along which are arranged a plurality of control valves 28b in correspondence to which an equal number of channels 28c branch out, each of which is connected to a respective cutting head 22a.

The movement means also comprise a second entry station 23 to the second cutting means 22 and a second exit station 24 from the second cutting means themselves. The second entry station 23 and the second exit station 24 are therefore arranged upstream and downstream of the second cutting means 22 respectively.

In the embodiment shown i the illustrations, the second entry station 23 comprises a plurality of motorized rollers 23 a.

In correspondence to the second entry station 23 are arranged second centring means 23b suitable for positioning the strips L transversally with respect to the forward direction 4. More in detail, the second centring means are of the type of a rack of wheels positioned in between the rollers 23a.

The equipment 1 also comprises pushing means 25 arranged upstream of the second cutting means 22 and suitable for mamtaining the forward moving side of the strips L substantially perpendicular to the forward direction 4.

More in detail, the pushing means 25 comprise at least a pair of pushing elements 2 a (only one can be seen in the illustration 5) suitable for contacting the rear edge of the strips L. The position of the pushing elements 25a can be adjusted to ensure their correct reciprocal alignment along a direction perpendicular to that of forward direction 4.

The pushing elements 25a are mobile parallel to the forward direction 4. More in particular, the pushing elements 25a are mobile in approach to the second cutting means 22 with a speed faster than that which can be given to the strips L by the second entry station 23, thereby ensuring the alignment of the edge cut in the first cutting phase with the pushing elements 25a themselves and therefore the perpendicular position of the forward movement side and its opposite side with the forward direction 4.

The pushing elements 25a are hinged around a relative axis and are mobile between one pushing position, wherein they are suitable for contacting the rear edge of the strips L, and an idle position, wherem they are rotated in approach to the second cutting means 22 so as to be raised with respect to the pushing position. Suitably, each pushing element 25a comprises relative elastic means, not visible in detail in the illustrations, suitable for allowing their rotation from the pushing position towards the idle position.

Advantageously, the rollers 23a comprise unidirectional joints, not visible in detail in the illustrations, suitable for preventing the strips L from sliding on the rollers themselves during the shift of the pushing elements 25a in approach to me second cutting means 22.

The unidirectional joints are configured so as to move the rollers 23a in rotation at a predefined speed, which depends on the motor means connected to the rollers themselves, except in the cases wherein these are forced to rotate at a speed faster than that is given by said motor means, e.g., when the strips L move forward driven by the pushing elements 25 a. In this situation, such unidirectional joints allow the rollers 23a to rotate freely around their axes, thus being released from their motor and thus preventing the strips L from sliding. The unidirectional joints are also known as "free wheels".

In the particular embodiment shown in the illustrations, the second exit means 24 comprise a plurality of motorized rollers 24a, e.g. driven by a worm screw gear motor.

Preferably, the equipment 1 comprises third pressing means 26 arranged downstream of the second cutting means 22 and suitable for contacting the products C above to lock them transversally during the cutting phase. The third pressing means 26 are structurally similar to the second pressing means 11 described above. More in detail, the third pressing means 26 comprise a plurality of pressing elements, e.g., composed of relative rods each supporting a plurality of sprung wheels suitable for contacting the upper face of the products C. The pressing elements 26 have an adjustable centre distance and can be moved vertically in an approach/away direction from the products C.

Suitably, the pushing elements 25a disengage from the relative strip L when the front portion of same is engaged by the pressing elements 26. Subsequently, the pushing elements 25a move away from the second cutting means 22 passing over the next strip L until they come into contact with its rear edge. More in particular, the pushing elements 25a after disengaging from a strip L move in the opposite direction to the forward direction 4 contacting the upper face of the next strip; during this phase, the pushing elements 25a move to the above-mentioned idle position, compressing the relative elastic means, until they return to the pushing position, by effect of the action of the elastic means themselves, on reaching the rear edge of the next strip L.

The second entry station 23 and the second exit station 24 are also spaced the one from the other to define a transit space arranged below the cutting heads 22a. This transit space is suitable for being crossed by the dispensed work liquid.

Underneath the transit space between the stations 23 and 24 is also arranged a tank for collecting the work liquid dispensed by the cutting heads 22a of the type of the tank arranged underneath the cutting heads 5 a of the first cutting means 5.

In this case as well, the tank has wheels suitable for enabling it to move to allow cleaning and maintenance operations to be performed and inside it has second extraction means 41 of the abrasive material dispensed by the cutting heads 22 a together with the work liquid.

Downstream of the second exit station 24 is arranged a second transport section 29, constructively the same as the first transport section 15 described above. More in detail, the second transport section 29 is also of the timing belts type 29a, e.g. driven by a worm screw gear motor, which are spaced from one another so as to support a broad range of products C and so as to allow the fall of the scraps produced by the first and the last cut. In this respect, underneath the belts 29a is housed a hopper 30 for collecting up the scraps and underneath which is arranged a belt conveyor system 31 suitable for conveying the scraps to a collection tank 32.

Downstream of the belts 29a is arranged a third transport section 33 having finishing means 34 for the side finishing of the outer edge of the cut products C. More in particular, the third transport section 33 is of the rollers type and the finishing means 34 comprise a pair of opposite-facing grinding wheels, the position of which can be adjusted manually.

Advantageously, the equipment 1 also comprises, in correspondence to the third transport section 33, third centring means 38 for centring the products C suitable for positioning the latter in the central area of the relative rollers and further pressing means (not visible in detail in the illustrations) suitable for retaining the products C during the grinding phase in order to avoid the occurrence of harmful vibrations.

Preferably, downstream of the third transport section 33 are arranged second deviation means 35 of the forward direction 4. The second deviation means 35 have a structure identical to that of the first deviation means 19 described above.

More in detail, the second deviation means 35 are suitable for deviating the forward direction 4 of the products M by an angle of about 90°, while maintaining their position unchanged. In the particular embodiment shown in the illustrations, the second deviation means 35 comprise a plurality of rollers 36 suitable for receiving the products M arriving from the third transport section 33 and between which are placed some liftable belts 37 which perform the above change in direction.

Downstream of the second deviation means 35 further fimshing means can be present (not visible in detail in the illustrations) for fmis ng the side edges of the products C and rotation means for rotating the latter, suitable for rotating the products themselves so as to permit machining all their outer edges.

The operation of the equipment according to the invention is thought to be immediately understandable for a technician in the sector in the light of the description provided above.

It has in fact been ascertained how the described invention achieves the proposed objects and in particular the fact is underlined that the equipment forming the subject of the present invention permits cutting ceramic material of any size in an effective and practical way.

Claims

1) Equipment (1) for cutting slabs of ceramic material, characterized by the fact that it comprises:

- a frame (2) for bearing movement means of at least a slab of ceramic material to cut along a forward direction (4);

- first cutting means (5) with water jet, arranged along said forward direction (4) and suitable for cutting the slab along a first cutting direction to obtain a plurality of strips (L);

- second cutting means (22) with water jet, arranged downstream of said first cutting means (5) and suitable for cutting the strips (L) along a second cutting direction transversal to said first cutting direction to obtain a plurality of products (C).

2) Equipment (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said first and second cutting directions are substantially parallel to said forward direction (4), said movement means comprising variation means (19) for varying the forward movement side of said strips (L) placed between said first and second cutting means (5, 22).

3) Equipment (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that at least one between said first and second cutting means (5, 22) comprises a plurality of cutting heads (5a, 22a) with water jet moving independently from one another along an adjustment direction (5b, 22b) transversal to said forward direction (4).

4) Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that each of said cutting heads (5a, 22a) comprises a screw-nut screw coupling and motor means suitable for starting in rotation the relative nut screw.

5) Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said movement means comprise a first entry station (7) and a first exit station (8) arranged upstream and downstream, respectively, of said first cutting means (5) and comprise a second entry station (23) and a second exit station (24) arranged upstream and downstream, respectively, of said second cutting means (22), each of said entry stations (7, 23) being spaced from the corresponding exit station (8, 24) to define a transit space arranged below the relative cutting means (5, 22).

6) Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises pressing means (9, 11, 26) arranged upstream and/or downstream of at least one of said cutting means (5, 22), said pressing means (9, 11 , 26) being suitable for contacting on the upper part one of said slab, said strips and said products to lock them transversally with respect to said forward direction (4).

7) Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises centring means (7b, 23 b) arranged upstream of at least one between said first and second cutting means (5, 22) and suitable for positioning said slab or said strips to cut transversally with respect to said forward direction (4).

8) Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises pushing means (25) arranged upstream of said second cutting means (22) and suitable for maintaining the forward moving side of the strips (L) to cut substantially perpendicular to said forward direction (4).

9) Equipment (1) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that said pushing means (25) comprise at least a pair of pushing elements (25a) suitable for contacting the rear edge of the strips (L) to cut and arranged in correspondence to said second entry station (23), said pushing elements (25a) being movable parallel to said forward direction (4), close to said second cutting means (22), with a faster speed than that which can be given to the strips themselves by said second entry station (23).

10) Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said second entry station (23) comprises a plurality of motorized rollers (23a) and that the latter comprise relative unidirectional joints configured so as to move in rotation the outer surface thereof with a predefined speed and to leave said outer surface free to rotate around its own axis during the forward movement of said pushing elements (25a) close to said second cutting means (22). 11) Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises third pressing means (26) arranged downstream of said second cutting means (22) and that said pushing elements (25a) disengage from said strips (L) following the engagement of said third pressing means (26) with the strips themselves.