Stone slabs, and systems and methods of forming slabs, are described. Some example slabs include a first pattern defined by a first particulate mineral mix and a second pattern defined by a second particulate mineral mix different from the first particulate mineral mix. Locations of the first pattern have a first average thickness perpendicular to the slab width and the slab length, and locations of the second pattern have a second average thickness perpendicular to the slab width and the slab length that is different from the first average thickness.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing pavement elements made of concrete for manufacturing concrete paving stones or concrete slabs by a paving stone machine. The pavement elements are produced as multi-layer pavement elements {1} and have at least one core concrete layer manufactured from a core concrete and at least one face concrete layer manufactured from a face concrete. In the method, the core concrete is introduced into at least one mold and compressed. Subsequently the face concrete is additionally introduced onto the compressed core concrete and is likewise compressed, and the core concrete and the face concrete are cured.

A method for producing engineered stone slabs which includes: compressing composite material to form compressed composite material; fragmenting the compressed composite material into a plurality of fragments of composite material; depositing colorant in a predefined region onto at least part of side walls of some of the plurality of fragments of composite material; and using a device to press, flatten and stretch the plurality of fragments of composite material into a slab. The method may further include moving one or more of the plurality of fragments without substantially breaking or deforming them to form a channel in the plurality of fragments prior to depositing colorant in the predefined region. The device may include a first press roller and a second press roller; wherein the plurality of fragments pass between the first and second press rollers to press, flatten and stretch the plurality of fragments of composite material into the slab.

A plant for producing a concrete prefabricated component includes a plurality of stations, a transport system to transport the production pallet through the plant, and a 3D printing station having a layer depositing device for depositing a particulate aggregate on the production pallet and having a printing head for controlled delivery of a water-binder mixture. The plant also includes a storage device to store particulate aggregate, a conveying device to convey the particulate aggregate to the layer depositing device of the 3D printing station, a mixing device for mixing the water-binder mixture, a feed device to feed the water-binder mixture to the printing head, and an unpacking station in which a concrete prefabricated component printed in the 3D printing station on the production pallet can be unpacked from an unbound particulate aggregate.

This disclosure concerns use of additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing, in construction. Specifically, this disclosure concerns manufacturing of building elements using 3D printing. A method for manufacturing concrete elements for construction of buildings is also provided wherein concrete elements comprise regions of a concrete material and regions of a filler material. The disclosed method comprises at least the steps of forming a mold by printing mold walls, the mold walls delimiting a plurality of regions in the mold, pouring one of the concrete and filler materials in at least one of the regions in the mold, leaving at least one other region empty, removing at least a part of the mold walls, and pouring the other of the concrete and filler materials in at least one empty region.

This disclosure concerns use of additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing, in construction. Specifically, this disclosure concerns manufacturing of building elements using 3D printing. A method for manufacturing concrete elements for construction of buildings is also provided wherein concrete elements comprise regions of a concrete material and regions of a filler material. The disclosed method comprises at least the steps of forming a mold by printing mold walls, the mold walls delimiting a plurality of regions in the mold, pouring one of the concrete and filler materials in at least one of the regions in the mold, leaving at least one other region empty, removing at least a part of the mold walls, and pouring the other of the concrete and filler materials in at least one empty region.

A method for producing engineered stone slabs includes depositing a plurality of fragments of composite material into a pile on a surface, which is supported by a supporting structure, and depositing colorant in a predefined region onto at least part of side walls of at least some of the plurality of fragments of the composite material. The method then includes using a press roller to press, flatten and stretch the plurality of fragments of the composite material into a slab, after depositing the colorant.

A method for producing engineered stone slabs includes depositing fragments onto a surface and using a height limiting device to disrupt the fragments so a height of the fragments at the highest point from the supporting structure is substantially the same height as the height limiting device from the supporting structure. The method then includes using a digital printing device, in a first digital printing step, to print an image onto at least part of a top and side walls of at least some of the fragments, and then depositing additional composite material onto at least some of the fragments. The method further includes using a digital printing device, in an additional digital printing step, to print an image onto at least part of the additional damp composite material, and then using a press roller to press, flatten and stretch the fragments into a slab.

Generally described, one or more aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems, and devices related to a powder dispensing system, including a pair of calender rolls, a first conical hopper and a second conical hopper positioned above the pair of calender rolls, each hopper having a first temperature controlled fluidized section, a first flow control system in fluidic connection with the first temperature controlled fluidized section, and a second flow control system in fluidic connection with the second temperature controlled fluidized section, a vertical linear actuator configured to adjust a distance between the first conical hopper, the second conical hopper and the pair of calender rolls, and a horizontal linear actuator positioned between the first conical hopper and the second conical hopper.