WO2012052952A1

WO2012052952A1 - Cutting wire for stone material, manufacturing method thereof and multiwire machine including the wire

Info

Publication number: WO2012052952A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/054683
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ilario Bidese
Original assignee: Boart & Wire S.R.L.
Priority date: 2010-10-21
Filing date: 2011-10-20
Publication date: 2012-04-26
Also published as: ITVI20110059U1; ITVI20100286A1

Abstract

A cutting wire for stone material designed to be wrapped around a supporting and moving device thereof of the drum or pulley type. The wire comprises a plurality of diamond beads (5) and a plurality of polymeric beads (9) coupled in a reciprocally alternated configuration to a flexible supporting structure (4), with the interposition of respective free portions (12) therebetween. Each of the polymeric beads (9) includes at least one peripheral groove (11) to promote the rotation of the wire around its axis during use. The diameter (D₃) of the free portions (12) is smaller than the diameter (D₂) of the polymeric beads (9) and than the diameter (D₁) of the diamond beads (5) so as to minimize the points of reciprocal contact between the wire and the supporting and moving device thereof, so as to support the rotation of the wire.

Description

CUTTING WIRE FOR STONE MATERIAL, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF AND MULTIWIRE MACHINE INCLUDING THE WIRE

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to the technical field of the working of stone materials, and particularly concerns a cutting wire for cutting slabs from blocks of stone material, such as stone, marble, concrete and the like. The invention also concerns a method for manufacturing the wire and a multiwire machine comprising the wire.

Background of invention

M ultiwire machines are known for cutting slabs from blocks of stone material, such as stone, marble, concrete and the like, which include a portal bearing frame on which a plurality of diamond cutting wires are mounted. In a per se known way, the diamond cutting wires sliding along a substantially vertical direction penetrate into the block of stone material, thus reducing it into slabs. The distance between two consecutive wires determines the thickness of the slabs obtained from the cut.

As per se known, the cutting wires are wound around one or more devices for supporting and moving thereof, generally drums or juxtaposed pulley assemblies, suitable to set into rotation the wires in order to facilitate their penetration into the stone block.

The wires generally comprise a flexible supporting structure, usually a rope in a metallic material, on which, as per se known, a plurality of so-called "diamond beads" are mounted. The diamond beads usually comprise a metallic tubular base support to which an outer ring in a metal alloy and diamond powder is coupled.

As per se known, during cutting a substantially axial air and/or water flow runs over the wire, thus locally cooling it.

This known wire has the recognized drawback that during use the diamond bead always interacts with the stone material slab with the portion facing the slab, and never with the opposite one. This inevitably causes uneven wea r of the bead, resulting in problems of inefficiency of the cut, deviations from the ideal cutting direction and reduction of the average duration of the wire.

From the German utility model DE9107317 and from the US patent number 3598101 cutting edges are known having a uniform insert in polymer material between two consecutive diamond beads, which insert including one or more peripheral grooves suitable to promote the rotation of the wire around its axis, so as to make uniform the wear of the wire.

These known cutting wires have some recognized drawbacks.

First, because of the continuity of the polymeric insert, the wire has a very wide contact surface with the supporting and moving device. This inevitably causes a high friction between wire and device, which negatively influences the rotation of the wire.

This drawback is made more onerous by the fact that the supporting and moving device of the wires include peripheral annular inserts in wear-resistant elastomer, as described for example in the Italian patent IT1309685, which makes the above friction extremely high. Consequently, the rotation of the wire becomes extremely difficult, especially when the contact surfaces became irregular and/or rough due to wear.

Moreover, due to the fact that the wire has a substantially uniform surface, the cooling water flows on the latter by forming a substantially uniform layer (so-called Coanda effect), which does not guarantee an optimum cooling.

Therefore, these known wires may be subject to local overheating which might lead to damages and/or breakages, with consequent need for frequent replacement and increase in costs of the cutting operation.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to at least partly overcome the above drawbacks, by providing a cutting wire for stone material having maximum efficiency and comparatively low costs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting wire which allows having a uniform wear of the diamond beads.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting wire which has a comparatively long average duration.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting wire which allows minimizing the cost of the cutting operation of the stone material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting wire which allows minimizing the maintenance interventions on the multiwire machine on which it is mounted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting wire which allows minimizing the energy consumption of the multiwire machine on which it is mounted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting wire which allows minimizing the stress on the contact points between the supporting structure and the diamond bead.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiwire machine for the cutting of slabs from blocks of stone material having high efficiency and comparatively low costs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a cutting wire which allows minimizing the manufacturing time and costs thereof.

The above objects, as well as others that will appear clearer hereinafter, are fulfilled by a cutting wire for stone material according to one or more of the features which are here described and/or claimed and/or illustrated in the annexed figures.

In particular, the cutting wire may include a flexible supporting structure defining a first axis, a plurality of diamond beads and a plurality of polymeric beads coupled thereto.

As used herein, the expression "flexible supporting structure" or derivates thereof is intended to indicate a flexible elongated element, of any shape, designed to support the other element of the cutting wire.

As used herein, the expression "bead" or derivates thereof is intended to indicate an element designed to come into contact with the stone material during use, having a remarkably greater diameter than the flexible supporting structure to which it is coupled.

As used herein, the expression "diamond bead" and derivates thereof is intended to indicate a bead which is at least partly manufactured in a material including diamond and at least one metal.

As used herein, the expression "polymeric bead" and derivates thereof is intended to indicate a bead manufactured in a polymeric material, either filled or not.

Diamond and polymeric beads may be coupled to the supporting structure in a reciprocally alternated configuration along the first axis with the interposition of a free portion thereof.

As used herein, the expression "reciprocally alternated configuration along an axis" and derivates thereof is intended to indicate a configuration according to which between two elements of the same type an element of different type is interposed, two consecutive elements of different types being spaced from each other by any distance different from zero. As used herein, the expression "free portion of flexible supporting structure" and derivates thereof is intended to indicate a portion of flexible supporting structure interposed between two consecutive beads and not occupied by the beads.

Incidentally, the cutting wire may further comprise a plurality of spacing elements each one including, respectively consisting of, at least one layer of a polymeric material outside a respective free portion of flexible supporting structure for keeping substantially unchanged the reciprocal distance between the diamond and the polymeric beads.

Appropriately, the second polymeric material of the spacing materials may be compatible with the second polymeric material of the polymeric beads. Preferably, the two materials may be equal to each other, for example they may be made in polyurethane TPU.

As used herein, the expression "compatible materials" and derivates thereof is intended to indicate two or more materials whose physical-chemical features allow a reciprocal mixing of both materials without any remarkable separation.

The maximum compatibility may be obtained between materials having identical or similar matrix, and, more preferably, between equal materials.

In a preferred, non exclusive embodiment, each polymeric bead may include at least one peripheral groove, preferably inclined with respect to the first axis, for promoting the rotation of the wire around the axis during use.

On the other hand, the free portions may have a smaller diameter than the ones of the diamond beads and of the polymeric beads, so as to minimize the points of reciprocal contact between the wire and the supporting and moving device thereof.

Thanks to this combination of features, the wire according to the invention allows to solve the above mentioned problems of the prior art wire, minimizing the attrition between cutting wire and drum or pulley, and particularly between the polymeric/elastomeric parts thereof.

In this way, the drum or pulley opposes a minimum resistance to the rotation action of the wire promoted by the peripheral grooves, thus allowing to obtain a uniform wear of the wire.

In a preferred, non exclusive embodiment, the polymeric beads may have generally cylindrical shape.

In particular, they may have a pair of peripheral sharp edges, preferably substantially configured right angle-shaped. In this way each bead has substantially flat front and back faces.

Thanks to these features, the wire according to the invention allows to solve the problems of the above mentioned prior art wires, avoiding local overheating and ensuring optimal cooling.

The presence of sharp edges which roughly interrupt the curve surface of the beads, in fact, ensures a high turbulence of the flow of the cooling fluid, whether it is water and/or air, which ensures the maximum exchange surface with the wire and thus the maximum possible cooling.

Moreover, the high turbulence and the interspaces which are formed in correspondence of the free portions contribute to increase the capability of the wire to bring the processing scraps away from the cutting area, so increasing the quality of the cutting and minimizing the energy waste.

Further, the flat faces of the polymeric beads continuously impact with the fluid flow advancing in axial direction, breaking it and contributing to create more turbulence. This allows to maximize the average duration of the wire and to minimize the operating cutting costs.

In a further aspect, a method for the manufacturing of the cutting wire may be provided, having one or more of the features which are here described and/or claimed and/or illustrated in the annexed figures.

Apparently, it is possible to manufacture the cutting wire according to the invention in a simple way and at minimum cost.

On the other hand, a multiwire machine may be provided for cutting slabs from blocks of stone material that includes a cutting wire having one or more of the features which are here described and/or claimed and/or illustrated in the annexed figures.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in accordance with the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of a few preferred, non exclusive embodiments of a cutting wire in a multiwire machine for cutting slabs from blocks of stone material according to the invention, presented by way of illustrating and non-limiting examples in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a machine for cutting stone blocks B that includes a device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partially sectioned view of some details of FIG.l, wherein a first embodiment of the cutting wire 1 is illustrated;

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned view of the embodiment of the cutting wire 1;

FIGS. 4a to 4d are schematic views of some steps of an example of the manufacturing method of the cutting wire 1.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the above figures, the cutting wire 1 is mounted on a multiwire machine 20 for cutting for cutting slabs B from blocks of stone material, such as stone, marble, concrete and the like.

The cutting wire 1 and the multiwire machine 20 have several parts or elements equal to each other or anyway substantially similar. Where not differently specified, these parts or elements are described singularly and/or indicated with only one number, intending that the described and/or illustrated features are common to all other equal or anyway substantially similar parts.

The multiwire machine 20 comprises, as per se known, a portal frame 21, a plurality of cutting wires 1 and a plurality of cylindrical devices 30 mounted on the frame 21 for supporting and moving of the cutting wires 1.

As per se known, the cylindrical devices 30 maintain tensioned the wires 1 so that, instant by instant, for each wire an active portion 2 faced to the block B to be cut and designed to penetrate therein and a return portion 3 opposed thereof is defined.

Advantageously, the supporting devices 30 may consist of cylindrical drums and/or by pulleys juxtaposed to each other.

Each cutting wire 1 includes a flexible supporting structure 4 defining an axis X and a plurality of diamond beads 5 coupled thereto.

The supporting structure 4 may have a flexibility sufficient to allow, in a per se known manner, the ring-like winding of the cutting wire 1 around the drums and/or pulleys 30 of the multiwire machine 20. I n a preferred but non exclusive embodiment, the flexible supporting structure 4 may be manufactured in a metallic material. Preferably, the flexible supporting structure 4 may comprise a metallic rope.

As per se known, the diamond beads 5 may include a metallic tubular support 6, having the inner surface 7 in contact with the flexible supporting structure 4, and an outer ring 8 in a metallic alloy and diamond powder fixed to the metallic tubular support 6.

The diamond beads 5, which may have a first diameter Di comprised between 5 mm and 13 mm, may be coupled in a per se known manner to the flexible structure 4, so as to form a sequence.

Advantageously, the number of diamond beads 5 per linear meter of flexible supporting structure 4 may be higher than 35, and appropriately comprise between 35 and 40.

I n a preferred, non exclusive embodiment, the number of diamond beads 5 per linear meter of flexible supporting structure 4 may be higher than 40.

Appropriately, between each pair of consecutive dia mond beads 5, 5' of this sequence a polymeric bead 9 may be provided, made of a first polymeric material, possibly filled with abrasive powder.

Preferably, the first polymeric material may be of the abrasion-resistant type. I n other words, the first polymeric material may have a high resistance to abrasion.

In a preferred, non exclusive embodiment, the first polymeric material may be chosen among the polyurethanes.

Thanks to this configuration, it is possible to minimize the stresses in the contact points between the supporting structure 4 and the diamond bead 5.

I n fact, the presence of the polymeric bead 9 among the diamond beads 5, 5' allows to minimize the angle between the supporting structure 4 and the diamond bead 5 when the cutting wire 1 reaches the drum or the pulley around which it is wound, as shown in FIG. 2, so as to reduce the local stresses and to increase the average duration of the cutting wire.

I n a preferred, non exclusive embodiment, the polymeric beads 9 may have generally cylindrical shape, with a second diameter D₂ smaller or preferably equal to the first diameter Di of the diamond beads.

The first length U of the diamond beads 5 and/or the second length L₂ of the polymeric beads 9 may be comprised between 5 mm and 15 mm, and preferably comprised between 8 mm and 12 mm. Preferably, the second length L₂ of the polymeric beads 9 may be substantially equal to the first length Li of the diamond beads 5.

In the interspaces between diamond beads 5 and polymeric beads 9 and between polymeric beads 9 and diamond beads 5 a free portion 12 of supporting structure 4 may be provided.

In a preferred, non exclusive embodiment, each free portion 12 may include a spacing member 10 suitable to maintain the reciprocal distance between the diamond beads 5 and the polymeric beads 9 substantially unaltered. The spacing members 10 may be constituted by at least one layer of a second polymeric material outside the free portions 12.

In order to ensure the mechanical integrity of the cutting wire, the second polymeric material may be preferably abrasion-resistant, and more preferably it may be compatible with the first polymeric material of the polymeric beads 9.

Ideally, the first and second polymeric material respectively of the spacing members 10 and of the polymeric beads 9 may be equal, for example chosen among the polyurethanes.

In this way, it is also possible to maximally simplify the manufacturing of the wire 1, at the same time reducing its costs.

Appropriately, the polymeric beads 9 may have one or more peripheral grooves 11, which may be inclined, with any direction, in respect to the axis X of the wire 1, as shown in FIG. 2.

Suitably, these peripheral grooves 11 may be in any number, preferably comprised between 1 and 8, and may have any thickness S, preferably comprised between 1 and 4 mm.

The peripheral grooves 11 may have spiral-like shape, as shown in FIG. 3. The spiral- like shaped grooves 11, which may be one or more, may develop peripherally along each polymeric bead 9 with any inclination with respect to the axis X.

In this way, the rotation of the wire around the axis X is promoted. In fact, the peripheral grooves 11, once run over by the axial flow of the cooling water and/or air, act as true "helices" for the wire 1, putting it into rotation around the axis X.

Moreover, the free portions 12 of the flexible supporting structure 4 may have a third diameter D₃ smaller than the second diameter D₂ of the polymeric beads 9 as well as than the first diameter Di of the diamond beads 5 so as to minimize the points of reciprocal contact between the wire 1 and the drum or pulley 30.

It is understood that the third diameter D₃ of the free portions 12 coincides with the diameter of the supporting structure 4 in case the wire 1 does not comprise the spacing members 10, whereas it coincides with the diameters of the spacing members 10 if the wire 1 includes them.

As above mentioned, thanks to this configuration a uniform wear of the diamond beads is obtained, with the consequent increase of the average duration of the wire 1 with respect to the prior art cutting wires.

This further allows reducing the working pauses for the replacement or maintenance of the wires, so as to minimize the total cost of the cutting operation of the stone material.

A uniform wear of the diamond beads 5 also allows reducing vibrations and deviations of the wire in respect to the ideal cutting direction, so as to minimize the maintenance interventions on the multiwire machine and the energy consumptions thereof.

Advantageously, the relation between the third diameter D₃ of the free portions 12 and the first diameter Di of the diamond beads 5 may be comprised between 1:1,25 and 1:2.

Appropriately, the third diameter D₃ of the free portions 12 may be comprised between 3 mm and 5 mm.

Preferably, the free portions 12 may have a third length L₃ substantially equal or smaller than the second length L₂ of the polymeric beads 9 and/or than the first length U of the diamond beads 5.

In a referred, non exclusive embodiment, the free portions 12 may have a third length L₃ comprised between 12 mm and 3 mm, according to the number of diamond beads for linear meter included in the wire.

Appropriately, the diamond beads 5 and the polymeric beads 9 may be reciprocally equidistant. In other words, the free portions 12 may all have the same length L₃.

Advantageously, the polymeric beads 9 may have generally cylindrical shape, with a pair of peripheral sharp edges 13, 13'. Preferably these last ones may be substantially configured at right angle, so as to define substantially flat respective front and back faces 14, 14'.

As above mentioned, thanks to this configuration local overheating of the wire is prevented, allowing to maximize the average duration thereof and to minimize the management costs of the cutting.

Appropriately, each diamond bead 5 may include at least one protective layer 10' which, for sake of the mechanical integrity of the wire, may be manufactured in a third polymeric material compatible with and preferably equal to the first polymeric material of the polymeric beads 9 and/or of the spacing members 10.

The figures 4a to 4d illustrate as non limiting example, a model of manufacturing method of the wire 1.

In general, a method for the manufacturing of the cutting wire 1 may essentially comprise the steps of preparation of a semi-finished product 15 which includes the flexible supporting structure 4 and the diamond beads 5 coupled thereto and the step of manufacturing of the spacing members 10.

As used herein, the expression "preparation" or derivates thereof is intended to indicate, where not differently specified, the preparation of a component of interest to a step of a process of interest, thus including any previous intervention suitable to the optimal fulfilment of the step of interest, from the simple drawing and possible storing to thermal and/or chemical and/or physical pre-treatments or the like.

The preparation step of the semi-finished product 15 may take place in any way. For example, the preparation step of the semi-finished product 15 may provide the steps of preparation and/or manufacturing of the flexible supporting structure 4 and of the diamond beads 5 and the later coupling of the diamond beads to the supporting structure.

Advantageously, the step of coupling of the diamond beads 5 to the supporting structure 4 may provide the manual insertion of the diamond beads 5 and the fastening thereof on the supporting structure, for example by brazing.

In a referred, non exclusive embodiment, to minimize manufacturing time and costs of the wire 1, during the manufacturing of the polymeric beads 9 the spacing members 10 and possibly also the protective layers 10' may be manufactured, preferably by moulding the same polymeric material, for example TPU polyurethane.

For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 4b, the semi-finished product 15 which includes the supporting structure 4 and the diamond beads 5 coupled thereto may be inserted in a injection mould 16 having a cavity 17 appropriately shaped for manufacturing in a single moulding step at least one polymeric bead 9, at least one portion of spacing member 10 and, possibly, at least one protective layer 10'.

As shown in FIG. 4c, once the mould 16 is closed, the polymeric material, for example TPU polyurethane, may be injected into the cavity 17 through the opening 18, at an appropriate temperature, and it joins the semi-finished product 15 to make in a single step the polymeric beads 9, at least one portion of spacing member 10, and, possibly at least one protective layer 10'.

After this, the manufactured product shown in FIG. 4d can be removed from the mould 16.

The cycle can so start again, inserting into the cavity 17 of the mould 16 the adjacent portion of semi-finished product 15, and injecting thereon the polymeric material.

Thanks to this configuration, it is possible to minimize the manufacturing time and costs of the cutting wire 1.

The above disclosure clearly shows that the invention fulfils the intended objects.

The cutting wire, the method and the multiwire machine according to the invention are susceptible of a number of changes and variants, all within the inventive concept disclosed in the appended claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cutting wire for stone material to be wound around a device for supporting and moving thereof of the drum or pulley type, the wire comprising:

- a plurality of diamond beads (5) having a first diameter (Di);

- a plurality of beads (9) made of a first polymeric material having a second diameter (D₂);

- a flexible support structure (4) defining an axis (X) including said diamond beads (5) and said polymer beads (9) in a reciprocal alternating configuration along said axis (X) with the interposition of respective free portions (12) of said flexible support structure (4) therebetween;

wherein each of said polymeric beads (9) includes at least one peripheral groove (11) to promote the rotation of the wire around the axis (X) during use, said free portions (12) having a third diameter (D₃) which is less than both said second diameter (D₂) and said first diameter (Di) in order to minimize the points of mutual contact between the wire and the supporting and moving device thereof.

2. Wire according to claim 1, wherein said at least one groove (11) is inclined with respect to said axis (X).

3. Wire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one groove (11) has a general spiral-like shape.

4. Wire according to claim 1, 2 or 3, Wire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one groove (11) has has a thickness (S) comprised between 1 mm and 4 mm.

5. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each of said polymeric beads (9) includes 1 to 8 peripheral grooves (11).

6. Wire according to the preceding claim, wherein said peripheral grooves (11) are euqally distributed along the periphery of the respective polymer bead (9).

7. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second diameter (D₂) of said polymeric beads (9) is substantially equal to the first diameter (Di) of said diamond beads (5).

8. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio of said third diameter (D₃) of said free portions (12) and said first diameter (Di) of said diamond beads (5) is between 1:1,25 and 1:2.

9. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said third diameter (D₃) of said free portions (12) is between 3 mm and 5 mm.

10. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each free portion (12) of said flexible support structure (4) includes a respective spacing member (10) to maintain substantially unaltered the mutual distance between said diamond beads (5) and said polymeric beads (9), said spacing members (10) including at least one layer of a second polymeric material compatible with the first polymeric material of said polymer beads (9).

11. Wire according to the preceding claim, wherein the second polymeric material of said spacing members (10) is equal to said first polymeric material of said polymer beads (9).

12. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said polymeric beads (9) have a generally cylindrical shape.

13. Wire according to the preceding claim, wherein each of said polymeric beads (9) has a pair of peripheral sharp edges (13, 13').

14. Wire according to the preceding claim, wherein said peripheral sharp edges (13,

13') are substantially right angle-shaped to define respective front and back substantially flat faces (14, 14').

15. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one protective layer (10') in a third polymeric material around said diamond beads (5), said third polymeric material being compatible with said first polymeric material of said polymer beads (9) and/or said second polymeric material of said spacing members (10).

16. Wire according to the preceding claim, wherein said third material is equal to said first polymeric material and/or to said second polymeric material.

17. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first polymeric material and/or said second polymeric material and/or said third polymer is selected from abrasion-resistant materials.

18. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first polymeric material and/or said second polymeric material and/or said third polymer is selected among polyurethanes.

19. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said diamond beads (5) have a first length (U) between 5 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 8 mm and 12 mm.

20. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said polymeric beads (9) have a second length (L₂) substantially equal to the first length (Li) of said diamond beads (5).

21. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said free portions (12) have a third length (L₃) substantially equal to or less than said second length (L₂) and/or said first length (Li).

22. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said free portions (12) have a third length (L₃) between 12 mm and 3 mm.

23. Wire according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising at least 35 diamond beads (5) per linear meter, preferably at least 40 diamond beads (5) per linear meter.

24. A method for manufacturing a cutting wire for stone material according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a semifinished product (15) that includes a flexible support structure (4) defining an axis (X) and a plurality of diamond beads (5) coupled thereto; b) manufacturing a plurality of polymer beads (9) on said semifinished product (15) in a reciprocal alternating configuration along said axis (X) with the diamond beads (5), respective free portions (12) of said flexible support structure (4) being provided therebetween, each of said polymeric beads (9) includes at least one peripheral groove (11) to promote the rotation of the wire around the axis (X) during use;

wherein said free portions (12) have a third diameter (D₃) which is less than both said second diameter (D₂) and said first diameter (Di) in order to minimize the points of mutual contact between the wire and the supporting and moving device thereof, so as to promote the rotation of the wire.

25. Method according to the preceding claim, further comprising a step c) of manufacturing of a plurality of spacing members (10), each including at least one layer of a second polymeric material around a respective free portion (12) of said flexible support structure (4) to maintain substantially unaltered the mutual distance between said diamond beads (5) and said polymeric beads (9), said second polymeric material being compatible with the first polymeric material of said polymeric beads (9).

26. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein said step b) of manufacturing said polymeric beads (9) and c) of manufacturing said spacing members (10) are carried out by molding a single polymer material, so as to manufacture in a single molding step at least one polymer bead (9) and at least one spacer member (10) adjacent thereto.

27. A multiwire machine for cutting slabs from blocks of stone material, comprising a frame (20), a plurality of cutting wires (1) and at least one pair of devices (30) mounted on said frame (20) for supporting and moving said cutting wires (1), each cutting wire being wound around a respective supporting and moving device thereof of the drum or pulley type, wherein at least one of said cutting wires (1) is a wire according to one or more of the claims 1 to 23.