A method for digital printing in quantity, including the steps of providing a conveying unit adapted to convey printing substrates, setting a running velocity, providing a digital printer, providing a graphics file as input to the digital printer representing a motif to be reproduced on the printing substrates at a predefined resolution, calculating a decoration frequency for printing with decorative inks as a function of the predefined resolution and of the running velocity, calculating single material printing frequencies for each one of the material inks, calculating a synchronized printing frequency, calculating a scaling factor, calculating an actual printing frequency as a function of the scaling factors, calculating an actual printing resolution as a function of the actual frequency of material to be deposited and of the running velocity, and printing on the printing substrates at the actual printing resolution.

A method for manufacturing an engineered stone comprising the steps of: providing a mixture comprising at least a stone or stone like material and a binder; compacting the mixture; curing the binder; and printing a printed pattern on at least a top surface of the engineered stone.

An apparatus including a tool device configured to be used in the manufacturing of engineered stone slabs. The tool device may be configured to travel in an x-y plane in order to create a physically disrupted region in a mixture of resin and aggregate minerals. The tool device may have a mechanism configured to vary a width of the physically disrupted region of the mixture while traveling in the x-y plane. The apparatus may further include a spray device, which is configured to deposit colorant in an area in a wake of travel of the tool device in the x-y plane. The spray device may be configured to deposit colorant in an area while the physically disrupted region is being created in the area. The tool device may be a carving device with a V-shaped component. The tool device may be a stirring device having one or more prongs.

A system and method for replicating or repairing a building a material may serve as an effective means for repairing or replicating building material that has been discontinued or is otherwise unavailable or unsuitable for installation, the method comprising the steps of scanning an original tile to obtain an image data set, communicating the image data set to a computer, rendering a three-dimensional image of the original tile from the image data set, carving a new tile using a CNC machine based on the three-dimensional image of the original tile, applying a decorative image to the new tile, applying a glaze to the new tile, and firing the new tile.

Disclosed herein are tiles, systems, and methods related to manufacturing bullnose or other non-straight edge tiles. In a method of manufacturing a bullnose tile, the method comprises the steps of providing a tile, wherein said tile is a fired ceramic tile comprising a base and a decoration; cutting or milling the tile to form a bullnose edge; transporting the tile to at least a first printing station; printing at least one print layer of print media on the bullnose edge; transporting the tile to a curing station and curing the print media to provide the bullnose tile.

A process (method, system, etc.) for the manufacturing of slabs made of resin-bonded mineral grits comprises at least the phases of: supply of at least one mixture made of mineral grits and resins; compaction of the mineral grits and resins to obtain a compacted slab; hardening of the compacted slab to obtain a finished slab provided with at least one exposed surface and having an intrinsic degree of porosity; decoration with ink by digital printing of the exposed surface according to at least one predefined design; and, prior to the decoration and subsequently to the hardening, at least one phase of increase in the intrinsic degree of porosity of the finished slab, adapted to promote the penetration of the ink in the finished slab.

A Digital decorating machine for ceramic products, including a conveyor, suitable to transport the products to be decorated (P) along a feed direction (A), and a plurality of decoration modules, positioned over the conveyor and adjacent to each other along the feed direction (A). The modules include respective printing heads provided with nozzles for ejecting a fluid to be delivered on the surface of the products to be decorated (P); the conveyor includes a movable member for supporting the products to be decorated (P), suitable for translating them along the feed direction (A). The conveyor includes at least a supporting surface, located along a respective flank of the movable member, including in turn a plurality of predetermined positioning zones for the removable engagement of respective coupling portions of the decoration modules.

A digital decorating machine for ceramic products, including a conveyor, suitable to transport the products to be decorated (P) along a feed direction (A), and a plurality of decoration modules, positioned over the conveyor and adjacent to each other along the feed direction (A). The modules include respective printing heads provided with nozzles for ejecting a fluid to be delivered on the surface of the products to be decorated (P); the conveyor includes a movable member for supporting the products to be decorated (P), suitable for translating them along the feed direction (A). The conveyor includes at least a supporting surface, located along a respective flank of the movable member, including in turn a plurality of predetermined positioning zones for the removable engagement of respective coupling portions of the decoration modules.

Freeform, additive manufacturing equipment, processes and products, including residential, commercial and other buildings. A movable extruder places extrudate that solidifies in open space to create scaffolding or skeletons of buildings and other products. Elongated extrudate elements are fused to each other or connected by other means to form a cellular structure. Filler material such as polymeric insulating foam may simultaneously or thereafter be placed within the cellular structure to contribute desired strength, rigidity, insulative, barrier or other properties. Finish materials may also be applied.

Roof tile for forming a roof covering, wherein the roof tile (1) comprises a ceramic body (8); wherein said ceramic body (8) is made of porcelain; and wherein the roof tile (1) further comprises a glaze coating (9), which is situated above said ceramic body (8).