IT202300000543A1 - MACHINE FOR DEBURRING CERAMIC SLABS - Google Patents

Description

Description of a Patent for an Industrial Invention entitled:

?MACHINE FOR DEBURRING CERAMIC SLABS?.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a machine for deburring ceramic slabs.

In ceramic slab production plants, raw materials are subjected to a series of manufacturing processes that are carried out in succession in order to obtain a finished product, namely a ceramic slab, commonly known as a ceramic tile.

Ceramic tiles comprise a laying face, which in use is fixed to the surface to be covered, and a main face which, in use, is exposed to the outside.

The raw materials used in ceramic tile production plants are mainly made up of mineral compounds in granular form which, after being appropriately processed and prepared, are subjected to a shaping process.

In the forming process, the raw materials are pressed inside a mold reproducing the shape of a sheet to obtain a semi-finished sheet-like product with a different shape depending on the size of the mold.

The semi-finished product thus obtained is subjected to an enamelling process in which an enamel is applied to the main face of the semi-finished sheet.

The enamel is a glass-based coating that is spread on the main face of the semi-finished slab and which, during the subsequent firing phase to which the semi-finished slab is subjected, melts and fixes itself onto the ceramic slab.

The enamel is spread on the main face of the tile in order to protect it from any external agents and limit any damage to it.

During the glazing process, it often happens that the glaze leaks out of the area where it is applied and, generally, runs along the side edges of the semi-finished tile leading to the formation of glaze flashes.

The presence of such enamel burrs can make the subsequent firing phase of the semi-finished tile difficult.

In fact, enamel, as previously described, is a glass-based coating that, when subjected to high temperatures, such as those reached in firing ovens, liquefies, takes on a pasty and sticky consistency and generally detaches from the tile and settles on the bottom of the firing oven.

Subsequently, the enamel deposited on the bottom of the oven solidifies, adhering to the tiles, which remain attached to the bottom of the oven. In order to detach the tiles from the bottom of the oven and clean the oven, so as to make the oven usable again for a subsequent firing cycle, it is necessary to temporarily stop production.

To avoid these unpleasant eventualities, it is common practice to subject the semi-finished tiles to a deburring process aimed at eliminating the enamel burrs, carried out prior to the firing process using special deburring machines.

The known deburring machines belonging to a first typology include:

- a base frame for support on the ground;

- a feed line associated with the base frame and operable to move the tiles to be deburred along a substantially horizontal feed direction;

- at least one deburring device associated with the base frame and operable to remove the glaze burrs present on the tile to be deburred present on the feed line.

Typically, known deburring machines comprise a plurality of deburring devices that are arranged aligned along two different rows associated with the perimeter edge of the feed line and developing parallel to the longitudinal development direction of the latter.

Preferably, the deburring devices are of the abrasive wheel type which are activated when they come into contact with the lateral edge of the tile to be deburred and, during the movement of the latter in the direction of advance, they eliminate by abrasion the enamel burrs present along the edges of the tile to be deburred.

Again, the deburring machines belonging to the first typology include centering means associated with the base frame and which can be operated to place the semi-finished sheet to be deburred in a centered position with respect to the two rows of abrasion devices.

Generally, such centering means comprise two edges, each arranged in correspondence with one of the longitudinal edges of the feed line and which can be operated simultaneously to push the tile towards the centre of the feed line and to align the edges of the tile with the longitudinal edges of the feed line.

The abrasive wheels act initially along two parallel sides of the tile and, following the rotation of the tile on the feed line, act on the remaining two sides of the tile.

However, the deburring machines belonging to the first type present some drawbacks which are mainly attributable to the difficulties encountered during the centering phase and the rotation phase of the tiles on the advancement line.

As previously described, the tiles to be deburred are raw and, being made of pressed granular raw materials, they are not rigid and, therefore, can easily crumble and shatter when subjected to the action of the centering edges and/or when rotated.

This problem is particularly felt especially in the case in which the tiles to be deburred have significant dimensions and, for example, have a format of the order of 1.5 m x 2.5 m, or larger.

It is easy to understand, in fact, how the handling of non-rigid and large-sized tiles can easily lead to the shattering of the tiles themselves.

To at least partially overcome these drawbacks, the use of a second type of deburring machine is known, in which the abrasive wheels are moved in relation to the tile handling line.

Specifically, these machines are designed to temporarily block the advancement of the tile along the advancement direction, blocking the advancement line, and to move the abrasive wheels around the edges of the tile to be deburred.

However, even the deburring machines belonging to the second type present some drawbacks that are mainly attributable to the problems generated by the temporary blocking of the production cycle.

In fact, the use of deburring machines belonging to the second type leads to intermittent operation of the plant in which temporary production blocks occur whenever it is necessary to deburr the tiles.

The temporary blocking of the production plant determines a drop in productivity of the plant itself and an increase in the related management costs. The main task of the present invention is to devise a machine for deburring ceramic slabs that allows to limit the occurrence of any damage to the tiles to be deburred.

Within the scope of this task, the present invention aims to devise a machine for deburring ceramic slabs which allows for the limitation of the shattering and/or crumbling of the tiles to be deburred.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a machine for deburring ceramic slabs that can be used without causing damage to the productivity of the plant.

Furthermore, the present invention aims to devise a machine for deburring ceramic slabs that does not necessarily require temporarily stopping production in order to be used.

Another purpose of the present invention is to devise a machine for deburring ceramic slabs which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the known art to be overcome within the scope of a simple, rational, easy and effective solution to be used and at a low cost. The above-mentioned purposes are achieved by the present machine for deburring ceramic slabs having the characteristics of claim 1.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a machine for deburring ceramic slabs, illustrated by way of example but not of limitation in the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the machine according to the invention; Figure 2 is an axonometric view, partially in section, of a longitudinal deburring module of the machine according to the invention; Figure 3 is an axonometric view of some components of the longitudinal deburring module shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an axonometric view, partially in section, of a first transverse deburring module of the machine according to the invention.

Figure 5 is an axonometric view of some components of the first transverse deburring module shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an axonometric view, partially in section, of a second transverse deburring module of the machine according to the invention. Figure 7 is an axonometric view of some components of the second transverse deburring module shown in Figure 6.

With particular reference to these figures, the number 1 generally indicates a machine for deburring ceramic slabs.

In the context of this paper, as previously described, it is considered that machine 1 is used within a tile production process which includes various processing phases which are carried out in sequence.

Therefore, the verbal expressions ?upstream? and ?downstream? must be understood as referring to the normal progress of semi-finished products during this production process.

Specifically, machine 1 is used to deburr a ceramic slab L on which there is an excess processing product, resulting from a processing phase previously performed on slab L.

In the present discussion, it is considered that machine 1 is used following the enamelling process to remove any enamel that may have dripped along the edges B1, B2, C1, C2 of sheet L. Sheet L comprises a main face A, which in use is exposed to view, and a secondary face, opposite the main face A and which in use is associated with the wall to be covered with sheet L.

The plate L also includes a first longitudinal edge B1 and a second longitudinal edge B2, mutually parallel, and a first transverse edge C1 and a second transverse edge C2, mutually parallel and orthogonal to the longitudinal edges B1, B2.

During the enamelling process of the plate L the enamel is dispensed onto the main face A and from here it generally drips along the edges B1, B2, C1, C2 leading to the formation of enamel smudges which are removed using machine 1.

Again, in the context of this discussion, the terms ?right? and ?left? must be understood in reference to an observer positioned upstream of machine 1 and facing it.

Machine 1 comprises at least one base frame 2 for supporting machine 1 on the ground.

The base frame 2, for example, comprises tubular elements made of metal material mutually associated to form a reticular structure resting on the ground.

The machine comprises at least one deburring module 3, 4, 5 associated with the base frame 2 and comprising at least one feed line 6, 7, 8 suitable for moving the ceramic material slab L along a substantially horizontal feed direction D, and at least one deburring device 9, 10, 11, suitable for removing at least one excess processing product from at least one edge B1, B2, C1, C2 of the slab L.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the feed line 6, 7, 8 consists of a roller conveyor defining a substantially horizontal support plane for the plate L.

However, alternative embodiments of machine 1 are not excluded in which the feed line 6, 7, 8 is of a different type and, for example, comprises a conveyor belt.

Plate L is placed on the feed line 6, 7, 8 so that the main face A faces upwards.

Again, with particular reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the plate L is supported on the advance line 6, 7, 8 so that the longitudinal edges B1, B2 are substantially parallel to the advance direction D and, as will be seen later, this parallelism does not necessarily have to be perfect.

Preferably, the deburring device 9, 10, 11 comprises an abrasive wheel, having a substantially discoid shape, and an actuator member, associated with the abrasive wheel and operable to rotate the abrasive wheel around its central axis.

As will be explained in detail later, the deburring device 9, 10, 11 is brought close to the plate L so that the abrasive wheel contacts the edge B1, B2, C1, C2 to be deburred while the plate L advances on the feed line 6, 7, 8.

In this context, the actuator of the deburring device 9, 10, 11 is activated and the grinding wheel removes the excess workpiece material from the edge B1, B2, C1, C2 by friction.

According to the invention, the deburring module 3, 4, 5 comprises:

- motorized movement means 12, 13, 14 with electronic control suitable for moving the deburring device 9, 10, 11 along a substantially horizontal working direction E, F, G;

- sensor means 15 capable of detecting at least one piece of data relating to the position of the plate L on the advancement line 6, 7, 8;

- at least one electronic management and control unit operationally connected to the motorized movement means 12, 13, 14 and to the sensor means 15 and operationally configured to manage the operation of the motorized movement means 12, 13, 14 on the basis of the data detected by the sensor means 15 and to move the deburring device 9, 10, 11 in a manner substantially adhering to the edge B1, B2, C1, C2 of the sheet L during the advancement of the latter along the advancement direction D.

The machine 1 according to the invention, in practice, modifies the position of the deburring device 9, 10, 11 during the movement of the sheet L on the feed line 6, 7, 8 based on the position of the edge B1, B2, C1, C2 on which the deburring device 9, 10, 11 must operate.

Specifically, the machine 1 according to the invention allows the position of the sheet L to be detected on the feed line 6, 7, 8 and on the basis of this data, through the electronic management and control unit, it intervenes on the motorised movement means 12, 13, 14 in order to position the deburring device 9, 10, 11 in contact with the edge B1, B2, C1, C2 on which the operation is being carried out.

In practice, the plate L, once placed on the feed line 6, 7, 8, must not be subjected to inconvenient centering and/or rotation operations aimed at placing the edges B1, B2, C1, C2 perfectly parallel to the feed direction D and perfectly at the center of the feed line 6, 7, 8 but, differently, the deburring device 9, 10, 11 is moved along the edge B1, B2, C1, C2 to be deburred in a tracking mode.

It is in fact possible to state that, during the use of the machine 1, the deburring device 9, 10, 11 follows the edge B1, B2, C1, C2 while the sheet L advances on the feed line 6, 7, 8.

It should be noted, for example, that in the case in which the plate L is not perfectly positioned at the centre of the feed line 6, 7, 8, the sensor means 15 detect that one of the longitudinal edges B1, B2 is closer to the centre of the feed line 6, 7, 8 while the other longitudinal edge B1, B2 is further away and the electronic management and control unit intervenes to position the deburring device 9, 10, 11 accordingly, for example by moving the deburring device 9, 10, 11 closer to the centre of the feed line 6, 7, 8 in one case and moving it away in the other.

Furthermore, in the event that the longitudinal edges B1, B2 are not perfectly parallel to the direction of advancement D, the sensor means 15 detect that the longitudinal edges B1, B2 are inclined with respect to the direction of advancement D and the electronic management and control unit intervenes to consistently move the deburring device 9, 10, 11 to the sheet L in a dynamic manner.

Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises at least one longitudinal deburring module 3 comprising:

- at least a portion 6 of the advance line 6, 7, 8;

- at least one longitudinal deburring device 9 capable of removing excess work product from at least one longitudinal edge B1, B2 of the sheet L arranged substantially parallel to the direction of advancement D;

- at least one longitudinal support bar 16 arranged above the portion 6 and developing horizontally in a manner substantially orthogonal to the direction of advancement D, the longitudinal deburring device 9 being movably associated with the longitudinal support bar 16;

- longitudinal motorized movement means 12 associated with the longitudinal support bar 16 and suitable for moving the longitudinal deburring device 9 in a manner substantially adhering to the longitudinal edge B1, B2, the longitudinal deburring device 9 being movable with respect to the longitudinal support bar 16 along a longitudinal working direction E substantially orthogonal to the feed direction D.

The portion 6 comprises a roller conveyor 17 comprising a support structure 18 and a plurality of rollers 19 arranged substantially horizontally and associated for rotation with the support structure 18 around its own longitudinal development axis.

The rollers 19 are arranged substantially horizontally and substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel D.

The support structure 18 comprises a plurality of support seats suitable for housing the ends of the rollers 19.

The roller conveyor 17 comprises motor means 20 associated with the support structure 18 and operable to rotate the first rollers 19 around the relative longitudinal development axis with respect to the support structure 18.

In this way, when the rollers 19 rotate with respect to the support structure 18, the plate L resting on the roller conveyor 17 is dragged along the direction of advancement D.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the motor means 20 comprise an actuator device 21 and a drive belt 23 wrapped around a plurality of pulley elements 22, at least one of which is motorized in rotation by the actuator device 21.

The drive belt 23 forms a closed band in a ring and is placed around the pulley elements 22.

The drive belt 23 contacts one end of each of the rollers 19.

When the actuator device 21 rotates one of the pulley elements 22, the drive belt 23 is pulled, rotating the remaining pulley elements 22 and the rollers 19.

The longitudinal support bar 16 extends longitudinally in a manner substantially parallel to the rollers 19.

The longitudinal working direction E is substantially parallel to the longitudinal development direction of the longitudinal support bar 16. Usefully, the longitudinal motorized movement means 12 comprise:

- at least one motor device 24;

- at least one threaded drive shaft 25 associated at one end with the motor device 24 and capable of rotating around its own axis;

- at least one carriage element 26 meshed with the threaded drive shaft 25 and moveable in translation along the longitudinal working direction E following the rotation of the threaded drive shaft 25, the longitudinal deburring device 9 being mounted on the carriage element 26.

Usefully, the sensor means 15 are associated with the longitudinal deburring module 3.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the sensor means 15 comprise at least one distance sensor.

Preferably, the sensor means 15 are associated with the carriage element 26.

In practice, the sensor means 15 are suitable for detecting the distance of the trolley element 26 from the longitudinal edge B1, B2 to be deburred.

Since the longitudinal deburring device 9 is mounted on the carriage element 26, detecting the distance of the carriage element 26 from the longitudinal edge B1, B2 also allows the reciprocal position between the longitudinal deburring device 9 and the longitudinal edge B1, B2 to be traced.

The sensor means 15 send the data relating to the distance of the trolley element 26 from the longitudinal edge B1, B2 to the electronic management and control unit which processes this distance data and intervenes on the longitudinal motorised movement means 12 in order to bring the longitudinal deburring device 9 into contact with the longitudinal edge B1, B2 on which it is operating.

The choice of placing the sensor means 15 on the carriage element 26 is advantageous since the carriage element 26 generally operates in proximity to the longitudinal edges B1, B2, so it is possible to use a commercial and economical type distance sensor, with a rather limited operating range.

Alternatively, it is possible to foresee the use of more sophisticated distance sensors, operating with a greater range of action and placed in a fixed position, for example on the base frame 2.

Furthermore, alternative forms of implementation are not excluded in which the sensor means 15 are of a different type and, for example, comprise a camera operationally connected to the electronic management and control unit capable of detecting an image of the plate L and of the longitudinal deburring device 9 and sending this image to the electronic management and control unit.

The electronic management and control unit processes the received image by identifying the reciprocal positioning of the plate L and the longitudinal deburring device 9.

Based on the identified positioning, the electronic management and control unit intervenes on the longitudinal motorized movement means 12 in order to bring the longitudinal deburring device 9 into contact with the longitudinal edge B1, B2 on which it is operating.

Usefully, the longitudinal deburring module 3 comprises two longitudinal deburring devices 9 each capable of operating on a respective longitudinal edge B1, B2 of the sheet L.

Advantageously, the longitudinal motorized movement means 12 comprise two motor devices 24, two threaded drive shafts 25 and two trolley elements 26, each of the longitudinal deburring devices 9 being associated with a respective trolley element 26. As can be seen from the figures, one of the longitudinal deburring devices 9 can be moved from one of the ends of the longitudinal support bar 16 towards the centre of the latter and vice versa.

The other of the longitudinal deburring devices 9 can be moved from the other end of the longitudinal support bar 16 towards the centre of the latter and vice versa.

Usefully, the sensor means 15 comprises two position sensors, one of the position sensors is associated with one carriage element 26, the other of the position sensors is associated with the other carriage element 26.

The longitudinal deburring module 3 acts simultaneously on both longitudinal edges B1, B2 of the sheet L during the movement of the latter along the feed direction D.

Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises at least a first transverse deburring module 4 comprising:

- at least a first section 7 of the advancement line 6, 7, 8;

- at least a first transverse deburring device 10 suitable for removing excess machining product from at least a first transverse edge C1 of the sheet L arranged substantially orthogonal to the direction of advancement D;

- at least one first bar element 27 arranged above the first section 7 and extending horizontally in an oblique manner to the direction of advancement D, the first transverse deburring device 10 being movably associated with the first bar element 27; - first transverse motorized movement means 13 associated with the first bar element 27 and capable of moving the first transverse deburring device 10 in a manner substantially adhering to the first transverse edge C1, the first transverse deburring device 10 being movable with respect to the first bar element 27 along a first transverse working direction F oblique to the direction of advancement D.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first transverse deburring module 4 is arranged downstream of the longitudinal deburring module 3 along the feed direction D.

The first section 7 comprises a first roller conveyor 28 comprising a first base structure 29 and a plurality of first roller elements 30 arranged substantially horizontally and associated in rotation with the first base structure 29 around its own longitudinal development axis.

The first roller elements 30 are arranged substantially horizontally and substantially orthogonal to the direction of advancement D.

The first base structure 29 comprises a plurality of housing seats suitable for housing the ends of the first roller elements 30. The first roller conveyor 28 comprises a first movement group 31 associated with the first base structure 29 and operable to move the first roller elements 30 in rotation around the relative longitudinal development axis with respect to the first base structure 29.

In this way, when the first roller elements 30 rotate with respect to the first base structure 29, the plate L resting on the first roller conveyor 28 is dragged along the direction of advancement D.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first movement group 31 comprises a first motorisation device 32 and a first belt element 34 wrapped around a plurality of pulley bodies 33, of which at least one is motorised in rotation by means of the first motorisation device 32.

The first belt element 34 forms a closed band in a ring and is placed around the pulley bodies 33.

The first belt element 34 contacts one end of the first roller elements 30.

When the first motorization device 32 rotates one of the pulley bodies 33, the first belt element 34 is driven, rotating the remaining pulley bodies 33 and the first roller elements 30.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, it is possible to note how the first roller conveyor 28 comprises a first sliding seat 35 in which the first transverse deburring device 10 slides when moved slidably along the first bar element 27.

Specifically, the first roller elements 30 that are arranged below the first bar element 27 do not extend across the entire width of the first section 7 in order to define an interruption of the first section 7 that defines the first sliding seat 35.

In this regard, it is important to point out that the first section 7 comprises two first movement groups 31 which are substantially identical but can be operated to rotate the first roller elements 30 arranged upstream of the first sliding seat 35 and the first roller elements 30 arranged downstream of the first sliding seat 35.

The first bar element 27 extends longitudinally in an oblique manner to the first roller elements 30.

The first transverse working direction F is substantially parallel to the longitudinal development direction of the first bar element 27.

The first sliding seat 35 develops longitudinally in a manner substantially parallel to the first transverse working direction F.

The first transverse deburring module 4 acts on the first transverse edge C1, meaning the first transverse edge C1 to be the one located upstream of the second transverse edge C2 with respect to the feed direction D.

The first transverse edge C1 extends between two ends: a right end contiguous with the first longitudinal edge B1 and located on the right side of the first transverse deburring module 4, and a left end contiguous with the second longitudinal edge B2 and located on the left side of the first transverse deburring module 4.

As can be seen in the figures, as the sheet L advances along the feed direction D, the first transverse deburring device 10 moves along the first transverse working direction F and follows the first transverse edge C1 starting from the right end until reaching the left end.

Usefully, the first transverse motorized handling means 13 include:

- at least one first engine 36;

- at least a first motorized pulley 37 associated with the first motor 36 and rotationally actuated by the latter around a substantially horizontal axis and orthogonal to the first transverse working direction F;

- at least one first driven pulley 38;

- at least one first belt 39 wrapped around the first motorized pulley 37 and the first driven pulley 38 and movable around the latter following the rotation of the first motorized pulley 37, the first transverse deburring device 10 being associated with the first belt 39.

Conveniently, machine 1 comprises at least a second transverse deburring module 5 comprising:

- at least a second section 8 of the advance line 6, 7, 8, the second section 8 being located downstream of the first section 7 along the advance direction D;

- at least a second transverse deburring device 11 capable of removing excess processing product from at least a second transverse edge C2 of the sheet L arranged substantially parallel to the first transverse edge C1;

- at least one second bar element 40 arranged above the second section 8 and extending horizontally in an oblique manner to the direction of advancement D, the second transverse deburring device 11 being movably associated with the second bar element 40; - second transverse motorized movement means 14 associated with the second bar element 40 and capable of moving the second transverse deburring device 11 in a manner substantially adhering to the second transverse edge C2, the second transverse deburring device 11 being movable with respect to the second bar element 40 along a second transverse working direction G oblique to the direction of advancement D.

The second section 8 comprises a second roller conveyor 41 comprising a second base structure 42 and a plurality of second roller elements 43 arranged substantially horizontally and associated for rotation with the second base structure 42 around its own longitudinal development axis.

The second roller elements 43 are arranged substantially horizontally and substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel D.

The second base structure 42 comprises a plurality of housing compartments suitable for housing the ends of the second roller elements 43.

The second roller conveyor 41 comprises a second movement group 44 associated with the second base structure 42 and operable to rotate the second roller elements 43 around the relative longitudinal development axis with respect to the second base structure 42.

In this way, when the second roller elements 43 rotate with respect to the second base structure 42, the plate L which is supported on the second roller conveyor 41 is dragged along the direction of advancement D.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the second movement group 44 comprises a second motorisation device 45 and a second belt element 47 wrapped around a plurality of grooved wheels 46, at least one of which is motorised in rotation by the second motorisation device 45.

The second belt element 47 forms a self-contained ring-shaped band and is placed around the grooved wheels 46.

The second belt element 47 contacts one end of the second roller elements 43.

When the second drive device 45 rotates one of the grooved wheels 46, the second belt element 47 is driven, rotating the remaining grooved wheels 46 and the second roller elements 43.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, it is possible to note how the second roller conveyor 41 comprises a second sliding seat 48 in which the second transverse deburring device 11 slides when moved slidably along the second bar element 40.

Specifically, the second roller elements 43 that are arranged below the second bar element 40 do not extend across the entire width of the second section 8 in order to define an interruption of the second section 8 that defines the second sliding seat 48.

In this regard, it is important to point out that the second section 8 comprises two second movement groups 44 which are substantially identical but can be operated to rotate the second roller elements 43 arranged upstream of the second sliding seat 48 and the second roller elements 43 arranged downstream of the second sliding seat 48. The second bar element 40 extends longitudinally in an oblique manner to the second roller elements 43.

The second transverse working direction G is substantially parallel to the longitudinal development direction of the second bar element 40. The second sliding seat 48 develops longitudinally in a manner substantially parallel to the second transverse working direction G.

The second transverse deburring module 5 acts on the second transverse edge C2, meaning the second transverse edge C2 to be the one located downstream of the first transverse edge C1 with respect to the feed direction D.

The second transverse edge C1 extends between two ends: a right end contiguous with the first longitudinal edge B1 and located on the right side of the second transverse deburring module 5, and a left end contiguous with the second longitudinal edge B2 and located on the left side of the second transverse deburring module 5.

As can be seen in the figures, as the sheet L advances along the feed direction D, the second transverse deburring device 11 moves along the second transverse working direction G and follows the second transverse edge C2 starting from the right end until reaching the left end.

Usefully, the second transverse motorized movement means 14 comprise:

- at least one second engine 49;

- at least a second motorized pulley 50 associated with the second motor 49 and rotationally actuated by the latter around a substantially horizontal axis and orthogonal to the second transverse working direction G;

- at least one second driven pulley 51;

- at least one second belt 52 wrapped around the second motorized pulley 50 and the second driven pulley 51 and movable around the latter following the rotation of the second motorized pulley 50, the second transverse deburring device 11 being associated with the second belt 52.

Usefully, the first transverse deburring module 4 and the second transverse deburring module 5 are essentially identical, in the sense that from a constructional point of view they are structurally the same; what differentiates them from one another is the way in which they are oriented in space.

In the first transverse deburring module 4, in fact, the first transverse deburring device 10, which is intended to work on the first transverse edge C1, is facing the opposite side to where the sheet L arrives while, in the second transverse deburring module 5, the second transverse deburring device 11, which is intended to work on the second transverse edge C2, is facing the same side to where the sheet L arrives.

In other words, the second transverse deburring module 5 is rotated 180° around a vertical axis relative to the first transverse deburring module 4.

This clearly makes the cross deburring modules 4, 5 modular and interchangeable.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, all three deburring modules 3, 4, 5 are provided, with the longitudinal deburring module 3 arranged upstream of the first transverse deburring module 4, which in turn is arranged upstream of the second transverse deburring module 5, and with the sensor means 15 which are mounted on board the longitudinal deburring module 3.

However, alternative forms of implementation are not excluded in which the machine 1 includes only one or at most two of the deburring modules 3, 4, 5; it is possible, in fact, that for certain types of enamelling only some edges B1, B2, C1, C2 of the plate L are affected by enamel dripping phenomena and, therefore, require deburring.

? It is also possible that the deburring modules 3, 4, 5 are arranged along the feed direction D in a different order than that shown in the figures, for example, by providing that the longitudinal deburring module 3 is arranged at the end of the line instead of at the beginning, or that it is arranged between the transverse deburring modules 4, 5; it is easy to understand that, in this case, the sensor means 15 are usefully mounted on board the deburring module 3, 4, 5 arranged upstream of the others, to allow the machine 1 to identify the position of the sheet L on the feed line 6, 7, 8.

In practice, it has been found that the described invention achieves the proposed purposes.

The particular technical device that involves moving the deburring device with respect to the slab in a manner substantially close to the edge of the latter allows for the limitation of any damage to the tiles to be deburred.

In fact, the ceramic slab is not manipulated once loaded onto the advance line, that is, it is not rotated or centered on the advance line but is only advanced.

Furthermore, the fact of providing a longitudinal deburring module, operating on the longitudinal edges of the sheet, and two transverse deburring modules, each of which operates on a respective transverse edge of the sheet, allows all the edges of the sheet to be deburred in an extremely practical and easy way.

This particular aspect helps to limit the occurrence of damage to the sheet during the deburring process and, at the same time, to deburr it without having to foresee production blocks since the sheet is never blocked on the advance line but moved continuously along the advance direction.

Claims (10)

1) Machine (1) for deburring ceramic slabs comprising: - at least one base frame (2) for supporting said machine (1) on the ground; - at least one deburring module (3, 4, 5) associated with said base frame (2) and comprising at least one feed line (6, 7, 8), suitable for moving at least one slab (L) of ceramic material along a substantially horizontal feed direction (D), and at least one deburring device (9, 10, 11), suitable for removing at least one excess processing product from at least one edge (B1, B2, C1, C2) of said slab (L); characterised in that said deburring module (3, 4, 5) comprises: - electronically controlled motorised movement means (12, 13, 14) suitable for moving said deburring device (9, 10, 11) along a substantially horizontal working direction (E, F, G); - sensor means (15) suitable for detecting at least one piece of data relating to the position of said plate (L) on said advance line (6, 7, 8); - at least one electronic management and control unit operationally connected to said motorised movement means (12, 13, 14) and to said sensor means (15) and operationally configured to manage the operation of said motorised movement means (12, 13, 14) on the basis of said data detected by said sensor means (15) and to move said deburring device (9, 10, 11) in a manner substantially adhering to said edge (B1, B2, C1, C2) of said sheet (L) during the advancement of the latter along said advancement direction (D). 2) Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least one longitudinal deburring module (3) comprising: - at least a portion (6) of said advance line (6, 7, 8); - at least one longitudinal deburring device (9) suitable for removing said excess work product from at least one longitudinal edge (B1, B2) of said plate (L) arranged substantially parallel to said direction of advance (D); - at least one longitudinal support bar (16) arranged above said portion (6) and developing horizontally in a manner substantially orthogonal to said direction of advancement (D), said longitudinal deburring device (9) being movably associated with said longitudinal support bar (16); - longitudinal motorised movement means (12) associated with said longitudinal support bar (16) and suitable for moving said longitudinal deburring device (9) in a manner substantially adhering to said longitudinal edge (B1, B2), said longitudinal deburring device (9) being movable with respect to said longitudinal support bar (16) along a longitudinal working direction (E) substantially orthogonal to said feed direction (D). 3) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said longitudinal motorised movement means (12) comprise: - at least one motor device (24); - at least one threaded drive shaft (25) associated at one end with said driving device (24) and capable of rotating around its own axis; - at least one carriage element (26) meshed with said threaded drive shaft (25) and moveable in translation along said longitudinal working direction (E) following the rotation of said threaded drive shaft (25), said longitudinal deburring device (9) being mounted on said carriage element (26). 4) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said sensor means (15) are associated with said longitudinal deburring module (3). 5) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said sensor means (15) are associated with said trolley element (26). 6) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that: - said longitudinal deburring module (3) each capable of operating on a respective said longitudinal edge (B1, B2) of said plate (L) positioned opposite each other; - said longitudinal motorized movement means (12) comprise two of said motor devices (24), two of said threaded drive shafts (25) and two of said trolley elements (26), each of said longitudinal deburring devices (9) being associated with a respective trolley element (26). 7) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least a first transverse deburring module (4) comprising: - at least a first section (7) of said advancement line (6, 7, 8); - at least a first transverse deburring device (10) suitable for removing said excess work product from at least a first transverse edge (C1) of said plate (L) arranged substantially orthogonal to said direction of advancement (D); - at least a first bar element (27) arranged above said first section (7) and developing horizontally in an oblique manner to said direction of advancement (D), said first transverse deburring device (10) being movably associated with said first bar element (27); - first transverse motorised movement means (13) associated with said first bar element (27) and suitable for moving said first transverse deburring device (10) in a manner substantially adhering to said first transverse edge (C1), said first transverse deburring device (10) being movable with respect to said first bar element (27) along a first transverse working direction (F) oblique to said direction of advancement (D). 8) Machine (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that said first transverse motorised movement means (13) comprise: - at least one first mover (36); - at least one first motorized pulley (37) associated with said first motor (36) and rotationally actuated by the latter around a substantially horizontal axis and orthogonal to said first transverse working direction (F); - at least one first driven pulley (38); - at least one first belt (39) wrapped around said first motorized pulley (37) and said first driven pulley (38) and movable around the latter following the rotation of said first motorized pulley (37), said first transverse deburring device (10) being associated with said first belt (39). 9) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least a second transverse deburring module (5) comprising: - at least a second section (8) of said advance line (6, 7, 8), said second section () being arranged downstream of said first section (8) along said advance direction (D); - at least one second transverse deburring device (11) capable of removing said excess work product from at least one second transverse edge (C2) of said plate (L) arranged substantially parallel to said first transverse edge (C1); - at least one second bar element (40) arranged above said second section (8) and developing horizontally in an oblique manner to said direction of advancement (D), said second transverse deburring device (11) being movably associated with said second bar element (40); - second transverse motorised movement means (14) associated with said second bar element (40) and suitable for moving said second transverse deburring device (11) in a manner substantially adhering to said second transverse edge (C2), said second transverse deburring device (11) being movable with respect to said second bar element (40) along a second transverse working direction (G) oblique to said direction of advancement (D). 10) Machine (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that said second transverse motorised movement means (14) comprise: - at least one second engine (49); - at least one second motorized pulley (50) associated with said second motor (49) and rotationally actuated by the latter around a substantially horizontal axis and orthogonal to said second transverse working direction (G); - at least one second driven pulley (51); - at least one second belt (52) wrapped around said second motorized pulley (50) and said second driven pulley (51) and movable around the latter following the rotation of said second motorized pulley (50), said second transverse deburring device (11) being associated with said second belt (52).