EP4789813A1

EP4789813A1 - Equipment for the machining of slab-shaped artifacts

Info

Publication number: EP4789813A1
Application number: EP26155964.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabio TAROZZI
Original assignee: Siti B&T Group SpA
Current assignee: Siti B&T Group SpA
Priority date: 2025-02-07
Filing date: 2026-02-03
Publication date: 2026-08-12

Abstract

The equipment (1) comprises:
- one supporting surface (3) movable along one direction of forward movement (D) and adapted to hold and move at least one slab-shaped artifact (M) comprising at least one pair of side walls (P) positionable transverse to the supporting surface (3) and substantially parallel to said direction of forward movement (D);
- at least one machining device (4) arranged laterally to the supporting surface (3) so that its vertical projection does not intercepts the supporting surface (3), where said machining device (4) comprises at least one abrasive tool (5) of substantially cylindrical conformation, which is operable in rotation around an axis of rotation (R) arranged vertical and provided with a lateral surface (6) suitable to contact the side wall (P) during use,
wherein the abrasive tool (5) has a thickness greater than a predefined value, said predefined value corresponding to the average height of the side walls (P), and it is movable by shifting along the axis of rotation (R).

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a piece of equipment for the machining of slab-shaped artifacts.

Background Art

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a piece of equipment for the machining of slab-shaped artifacts that allows for uniform machining of the side wall of the slab-shaped artifacts.
Another object of the present invention is to devise a piece of equipment for the machining of slab-shaped artifacts that allows for uniform wear of the working tool, thus ensuring effective machining at all times.
A further object of the present invention is to devise a piece of equipment for the machining of slab-shaped artifacts that allows prolonged use over time while maintaining high machining efficiency.
Another object of the present invention is to devise a piece of equipment for the machining of slab-shaped artifacts that allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within a simple, rational, easy and effective to use, as well as affordable solution.
The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present piece of equipment for the machining of slab-shaped artifacts having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a piece of equipment for the machining of slab-shaped artifacts, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a piece of equipment according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a detailed axonometric view of the piece of equipment according to the invention;
Figure 3 is an axonometric view of a machining device according to the invention;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the median plane IV-IV in Figure 3 of the machining device according to the invention;
Figure 5 is a schematic representation, in cross section, of the machining phase in a first embodiment;
Figure 6 is a schematic representation, in a side elevation view, of the machining phase in a second embodiment.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a piece of equipment for the machining of slab-shaped artifacts.
In the context of this disclosure, the term "slab-shaped artifacts" refers to substantially planar artifacts the length and width dimensions of which are greater than their thickness. The slab-shaped artifacts are intended for covering surfaces and are made of ceramic material and/or of mineral grit bound with resins. Furthermore, for the purposes of this disclosure, reference is made to slab-shaped artifacts that have already been fired.
The piece of equipment 1 comprises a load-bearing frame 2 and at least one supporting surface 3 associated with the load-bearing frame 2, movable along a direction of forward movement D and adapted to hold and move at least one slab-shaped artifact M.
The slab-shaped artifact M comprises a laying surface M1, intended to be in contact with the surface to be covered, a visible surface M2, intended to be visible after laying, and at least one pair of side walls P. The side walls P are transverse to the laying surface M1 and to the visible surface M2, in this case they are perpendicular to the latter. The side walls P, therefore, define the thickness of the artifact M.
During use, the slab-shaped artifact M is arranged on the supporting surface 3 so that the laying surface M1 and the visible surface M2 are arranged parallel to the supporting surface 3. More specifically, one of either the laying surface M1 or the visible surface M2 is intended to be arranged resting on the supporting surface 3. The side walls P, on the other hand, are positionable substantially parallel to the direction of forward movement D and transverse to the supporting surface 3.
In accordance with the embodiment shown in the figures, the supporting surface 3 is defined by a pair of parallel belts extending along the direction of forward movement D. It cannot, however, be ruled out that the supporting surface 3 may be of a different type, such as, e.g., of the type of a conveyor belt, a roller conveyor or the like.
The supporting surface 3 has a width less than the average distance between the side walls P of the slab-shaped artifact M. In other words, the distance between the two belts is less than the width of the slab-shaped artifact M. In this way, in use, the slab-shaped artifact M protrudes laterally from the supporting surface 3. The piece of equipment 1 also comprises at least one machining device 4 associated with the load-bearing frame 2, arranged laterally to the supporting surface 3 and adapted to perform a machining operation on a respective side wall P.
More specifically, the machining device 4 is arranged alongside the supporting surface 3. In other words, the machining device 4 is arranged beyond the lateral edge of the supporting surface 3, so that its vertical projection does not intercept the supporting surface 3.
In detail, as is known, at the end of the production process, the slab-shaped artifact M has irregular side walls P that can make installation more difficult and the final aesthetic effect less than satisfactory.
The machining device 4 therefore has the purpose of leveling and smoothing the side walls P.
The machining device 4 is configured to perform the machining of the slab-shaped artifact M as it moves forward along the direction of forward movement D.
The machining device 4 comprises at least one abrasive tool 5 of substantially cylindrical conformation and provided with two bases 26 opposite each other and with a circular lateral surface 6. The lateral surface 6 is, therefore, the cylindrical surface of the abrasive tool 5.
According to the invention, the abrasive tool 5 is operable in rotation around a vertical axis of rotation R or inclined with respect to the vertical so that its lateral surface 6 contacts the side wall P during use (i.e., during the machining phase when the abrasive tool 5 is set in rotation around its own axis).
The axis of rotation R of the abrasive tool 5 therefore has at least one vertical component.
Preferably, the axis of rotation R is arranged substantially vertically, where the term "substantially" means a maximum deviation of ± 5° from the vertical. In this embodiment, therefore, the bases 26 of the abrasive tool 5 are arranged, in use, substantially horizontally.
The rotation of the abrasive tool 5 around the axis of rotation R causes material to be removed from the side wall P by the lateral surface 6.
Still according to the invention, during use, i.e., during the interaction of the lateral surface 6 with the relevant side wall P, the abrasive tool 5 is movable by shifting along the axis of rotation R.
More specifically, the extension of the lateral surface 6 of the abrasive tool 5 is greater than a predefined value, where this predefined value corresponds to the average height of the side walls P, and is movable by sliding along the axis of rotation R.
Specifically, the thickness of the abrasive tool 5 corresponds to the height of the cylindrical lateral surface 6.
In this case, the abrasive tool 5 has a thickness of between 1.5 and 2.5 times the average height of the side walls P.
The thickness greater than the average height of the side walls P ensures that the lateral surface 6 always has at least one part that is not in contact with the side wall P.
This ensures that the side wall P of the slab-shaped artifacts M is always machined in a uniform manner.
The movement of the abrasive tool 5 by shifting along the axis of rotation R allows the entire lateral surface 6 to gradually come into contact with the slab-shaped artifact M, thus ensuring uniform wear of the lateral surface itself and preventing the formation of depressions and/or protrusions therein. Furthermore, these characteristics allow the part of the lateral surface that is not in contact with the slab-shaped artifact M to cool down and exert a better abrasive effect the next time it is used.
Advantageously, in use, i.e., during the interaction of the lateral surface 6 with the relevant side wall P, one portion of the lateral surface 6 is arranged at a lower level than the supporting surface 3. This allows the entire side wall P to remain in contact with the lateral surface 6.
The machining device 4 comprises a base structure 7 attached to the load-bearing frame 2, a movable structure 8a, 8b supporting the abrasive tool 5, and sliding means 9 associated with the base structure 7 and adapted to move the abrasive tool 5 by shifting along the axis of rotation R.
The sliding means 9 comprise a guide system 10 extending parallel to the axis of rotation R and an actuator system comprising an evolving screw shaft 11 associated with the base structure 7 and parallel to the axis of rotation R, a motor 12 connected thereto and a nut element 13 meshing with the evolving screw shaft 11 and associated with the movable structure 8a, 8b.
The rotation of the evolving screw shaft 11 causes the movement of the nut element 13 and, consequently, of the movable structure 8a, 8b.
This actuator system allows precise and accurate adjustment of the movement of the abrasive tool 5, thus ensuring high versatility of use.
Advantageously, the sliding means 9 are configured to move the abrasive tool 5 by shifting along the axis of rotation R alternately between two end-of-stroke positions.
More specifically, the sliding means 9 are adapted to move the abrasive tool 5 by shifting along the direction defined by the axis of rotation R in both directions, either continuously or discretely. For this purpose, the motor 12 is of the type of a gearmotor.
Depending on the production requirements, therefore, the abrasive tool 5 can be moved continuously from top to bottom and vice versa. As an alternative, the abrasive tool 5 can be placed in contact with the side wall P through a first portion of the lateral surface 6 and kept stationary in sliding motion and, at a later time, it can be placed in contact with the side wall P through a second portion of the lateral surface 6 and kept stationary in sliding motion again.
Usefully, the abrasive tool 5 is also movable along a horizontal axis T close to/away from the supporting surface 3.
Conveniently, the horizontal axis T is arranged transversely and incident with respect to the axis of rotation R.
In this way, the position of the abrasive tool 5 can be adjusted according to the width of the slab-shaped artifact M.
The machining device 4 therefore comprises shifting means 14 associated with the base structure 7 and adapted to move the abrasive tool 5 along the horizontal axis T.
The shifting means 14 are similar to the sliding means 9 and comprise a guide system extending parallel to the horizontal axis T and an actuator system comprising an evolving screw shaft associated with the base structure 7 and parallel to the horizontal axis T, a motor connected thereto and a nut element meshing with the evolving screw shaft and associated with the movable structure 8a, 8b.
In detail, the movable structure 8a, 8b comprises a first structure 8a to which the abrasive tool 5 is attached and a second structure 8b placed between the base structure 7 and the first structure 8a, which allow both horizontal and vertical movement of the abrasive tool 5.
In accordance with the embodiment shown in the figures, the shifting means 14 are placed between the base structure 7 and the second structure 8b, and the sliding means 9 are placed between the second structure 8b and the first structure 8a.
Then the machining device 4 also comprises rotational means 15 associated with the base structure 7 and adapted to move the abrasive tool 5 in rotation around the axis of rotation R and comprising an electric motor 16 and a crankshaft 17 extending along the axis of rotation R and connected to the abrasive tool 5.
In detail, the rotational means 15 are associated with the second structure 8b.
The rotational means 15 are configured to move the abrasive tool 5 in both ways of rotation. The lateral surface 6 is, therefore, configured to exert its own abrasive action by rotating clockwise or counterclockwise. This helps to make uniform both the machining of the side wall P and the wear of the lateral surface 6.
Advantageously, the machining device 4 also comprises suction means 18 associated with the abrasive tool 5 and adapted to suck up the machining residues.
The suction means 18 are arranged where the abrasive tool 5 is located. Usefully, the piece of equipment 1 comprises at least one pair of machining devices 4 arranged on opposite sides with respect to the supporting surface 3, each configured to perform a machining operation on a respective side wall P. In this way, the piece of equipment 1 is capable of performing the machining operation on both side walls P simultaneously.
In accordance with the embodiment shown in the figures, the piece of equipment 1 also comprises a plurality of pairs of machining devices 4 arranged in succession along the direction of forward movement D, each pair being configured to perform a machining operation on a respective slab-shaped artifact M.
The piece of equipment 1 can thus perform the machining operation on a plurality of slab-shaped artifacts M simultaneously.
As shown in Figure 1, the piece of equipment 1 may also comprise further different types of devices for the treatment of the slab-shaped artifacts M.
The operation of the piece of equipment 1 in performing the process according to the invention is as follows.
The process first comprises a phase of providing a piece of equipment 1 according to one or more of the embodiments described above.
The process then involves a phase of providing at least one slab-shaped artifact M comprising at least one pair of side walls P positionable substantially parallel to the direction of forward movement D and which define the thickness of the artifact M itself.
As previously described, the direction of forward movement D is defined by the movement of the supporting surface 3 on which the slab-shaped artifact M can be placed.
The process then comprises a phase of machining at least one of the side walls P by means of at least one machining device 4, wherein the machining phase comprises a step of rotating the abrasive tool 5 around an axis of rotation R which is vertical or inclined with respect to the vertical (considering the inclination with respect to an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation R and perpendicular to the direction of forward movement D).
As discussed above, preferably, the axis of rotation R is arranged substantially vertically, where the term "substantially" means a maximum deviation of ± 5° from the vertical. In this embodiment, therefore, the bases 26 of the abrasive tool 5 are arranged, in use, substantially horizontally.
The step of rotating can also be performed clockwise or counterclockwise.
The step of rotating is performed by means of the rotational means 15. According to the invention, the machining phase is performed by contact between the lateral surface 6 of the abrasive tool 5 with the side wall P.
Still according to the invention, the machining phase comprises at least one step of movement of the abrasive tool 5 by sliding along the axis of rotation R. In other words, during the machining phase, wherein the lateral surface 6 intercepts the side wall P, the abrasive tool 5 is moved by shifting along the direction defined by the same axis of rotation R.
The movement step is performed by means of the sliding means 9.
As described above, the fact that the extension of the lateral surface 6 (i.e., the thickness of the abrasive tool 5) is greater than that of the slab-shaped artifact M and the movement of the tool along the axis of rotation R allows for a homogeneous and uniform machining operation of the side wall P and consequent uniform wear of the lateral surface 6.
The movement step can be performed either continuously or discretely.
Depending on the production requirements, therefore, the machining phase can be performed by simultaneously moving the abrasive tool 5 continuously from top to bottom and vice versa. As an alternative, the machining phase can be performed by contacting a first portion of the lateral surface 6, keeping the abrasive tool 5 stationary in sliding motion and, at a later time, by contacting a second portion of the lateral surface 6, still keeping the abrasive tool 5 stationary in sliding motion.
Usefully, the machining phase also comprises at least one step of shifting the abrasive tool 5 along a horizontal axis T close to/away from the side wall P. The shifting step is performed by means of the shifting means 14.
The machining phase also comprises a step for suctioning the machining residues, performed by means of the suction means 18.
Advantageously, the machining phase is performed simultaneously on both side walls P. Furthermore, the machining phase can be performed simultaneously on a plurality of slab-shaped artifacts M.
It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects and, in particular, the fact should be emphasized that, thanks to a tool that is thicker than the artifact and to its vertical movement, the piece of equipment according to the invention for the machining of slab-shaped artifacts allows uniform machining of the side wall of the slab-shaped artifacts. Furthermore, these characteristics mean that the present piece of equipment allows for uniform wear of the working tool, thus ensuring effective machining at all times.
Finally, this piece of equipment allows for prolonged use over time while maintaining high machining efficiency.

Claims

Equipment (1) for the machining of slab-shaped artifacts, comprising:
- a load-bearing frame (2);

- at least one supporting surface (3) associated with said load-bearing frame (2), movable along one direction of forward movement (D) and adapted to hold and move at least one slab-shaped artifact (M), said slab-shaped artifact (M) comprising at least one laying surface (M1) and a visible surface (M2) opposite each other, where at least one of either the laying surface (M1) or the visible surface (M2) is positionable resting on the supporting surface (3), and at least one pair of side walls (P) positionable transverse to said supporting surface (3) and substantially parallel to said direction of forward movement (D), said side walls (P) defining the thickness of the slab-shaped artifact (M);

- at least one machining device (4) associated with said load-bearing frame (2), arranged laterally to said supporting surface (3) so that its vertical projection does not intercepts the supporting surface (3), where said machining device (4) comprises at least one abrasive tool (5) of substantially cylindrical conformation and provided with two bases (26) opposite each other and with a circular lateral surface (6);
characterized by the fact that said abrasive tool (5) is operable in rotation around an axis of rotation (R) arranged vertical or inclined with respect to the vertical so that said lateral surface (6) contacts said side wall (P) during use, and by the fact that said abrasive tool (5) is movable, during use, by shifting along said axis of rotation (R).
Equipment (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that, during use, one portion of said lateral surface (6) is positioned at a lower level than said supporting surface (3).
Equipment (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that said machining device (4) comprises a base structure (7) attached to said load-bearing frame (2), a movable structure (8a,8b) supporting said abrasive tool (5) and sliding means (9) located between said base structure (7) and said movable structure (8a,8b) and adapted to move said abrasive tool (5) by shifting along said axis of rotation (R).
Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said sliding means (9) comprise a guide system (10) extending parallel to said axis of rotation (R) and an actuator system comprising an evolving screw shaft (11) associated with said base structure (7) and parallel to said axis of rotation (R), a nut element (13) meshing with said evolving screw shaft (11) and associated with said movable structure (8a,8b) and a motor (12) associated with said evolving screw shaft (11).
Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said sliding means (9) are configured to move, during use, said abrasive tool (5) by shifting along said axis of rotation (R) alternately between two end-of-stroke positions.
Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said abrasive tool (5) is movable along a horizontal axis (T) which is close to/away from said supporting surface (3) and by the fact that said machining device (4) comprises shifting means (14) associated with said base structure (7) and adapted to move said abrasive tool (5) along said horizontal axis (T), said horizontal axis (T) being arranged transversely and incident with respect to said axis of rotation (R).
Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said machining device (4) comprises rotational means (15) associated with said base structure (7) and adapted to move said abrasive tool (5) in rotation around said axis of rotation (R) and comprising an electric motor (16) and a crankshaft (17) extending along said axis of rotation (R) and connected to said abrasive tool (5).
Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one pair of said machining devices (4) arranged on opposite sides with respect to said supporting surface (3), each configured to perform a machining operation on a respective side wall (P).
Equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises a plurality of pairs of machining devices (4) arranged in succession along said direction of forward movement (D), each pair being configured to perform a machining operation on a respective slab-shaped artifact (M).
Process for machining slab-shaped artifacts, characterized by the fact that it comprises the following phases:
- providing a piece of equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims;

- providing at least one slab-shaped artifact (M) comprising one laying surface (M 1) and one visible surface (M2) opposite each other, where at least one of either the laying surface (M1) or the visible surface (M2) is positionable resting on the supporting surface (3), and at least one pair of side walls (P) positionable substantially parallel to said direction of forward movement (D), where said side walls (P) define the thickness of the slab-shaped artifact (M) and where the extension of said lateral surface (6) is greater than a predefined value, said predefined value corresponding to the average height of said side walls (P);

- machining at least one of said side walls (P) by means of said at least one machining device (4), wherein said machining phase comprises a step of rotating said abrasive tool (5) around an axis of rotation (R) which is vertical or inclined with respect to the vertical, where said machining phase is performed by contacting the lateral surface (6) of said abrasive tool (5) against said side wall (P);
said machining phase comprising at least one step of movement of said abrasive tool (5) by shifting along said axis of rotation (R), so as to vary, during the machining phase, the areas of said lateral surface (6) that intercept the side wall (P).
Process according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that said movement step is performed alternately between two end-of-stroke positions.
Process according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that said movement step is performed either continuously or discretely.
Process according to one or more of claims 10 to 12, characterized by the fact that said side walls (P) laterally protrude from the edge of said supporting surface (3) and by the fact that said machining phase comprises at least one step of shifting said abrasive tool (5) along a horizontal axis (T) close to/away from said side wall (P).
Process according to one or more of claims 10 to 13, characterized by the fact that said rotational step is performed clockwise or counterclockwise.
Process according to one or more of claims 10 to 14, characterized by the fact that said machining phase is performed simultaneously on both side walls (P).