MACHINE FOR CUTTING SLABS OF STONE OR STONE-LIKE MATERIAL

Abstract

A machine (12) for cutting slabs of stone or stone-like material comprises a work bench (13), two lateral support structures (14, 16) between which a beam (18) runs. On the beam (18) there is arranged a first machining unit (20) comprising: a carriage (22) adapted to slide along the beam (18); a sleeve (24) adapted to slide with respect to the carriage (22) in the vertical direction; a machining head (26), connected to the end of the sleeve (24) and adapted to rotate relative to the sleeve (24) about a vertical axis (28). The machining head (26) comprises a spindle (30) on which a cutting disc (32) is mounted. Manipulator means (34) for slabs or portions thereof, engaged with the head or the sleeve, are also provided. The machine comprises a second machining unit (36) mounted slidably on the said beam (18) and comprising at least one second machining head (38) with fixed orientation, adapted to be moved in the vertical direction and comprising a spindle (42, 44) on which a cutting disk (46, 48) is mounted.

Claims

1. Machine (12) for cutting slabs of stone or stone-like material comprising a fixed or rotating work bench (13), two lateral support structures (14, 16) between which at least one beam (18) runs; on said at least one beam (18) there being arranged a first machining unit (20) comprising: a carriage (22) adapted to slide along the beam (18); a sleeve (24) adapted to slide with respect to the carriage (22) in the vertical direction; a machining head (26), connected to the lower end of the sleeve (24) and adapted to rotate relative to the sleeve (24) about a vertical axis (28); said machining head (26) comprising a spindle (30), on which a cutting disc (32) is mounted; and manipulator means (34) for slabs or portions thereof; characterized in that it comprises a second machining unit (36) slidably mounted on said at least one beam (18) and comprising at least one second machining head (38) with fixed orientation, adapted to be moved in the vertical direction and comprising a spindle (42) on which a cutting disc (46) is mounted.

2. Machine (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second machining unit (36) slidably mounted on said beam (18) comprises a second machining head (38) and at least a third machining head (40) with fixed orientation, arranged side-by-side and adapted to be moved in the vertical direction, each comprising a spindle (42, 44) on which a cutting disc can be mounted (46, 48).

3. Machine (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said work bench (13) is provided with a motorized conveyor belt (92) for feeding the slabs.

4. Machine (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the machining head (26) is adapted to rotate the spindle (30) both about a vertical axis and about a second axis of rotation.

5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said second rotation axis is an axis inclined at 90 relative to the vertical axis of rotation.

6. Machine (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the machining head (26) comprises a protection element (50) partially covering the cutting disk (32), the outer surface of the protection element being provided with the manipulator means (34), which comprise suction cups (52).

7. Machine (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first machining unit comprises manipulator means rotatable about a vertical axis and mounted on the sleeve (24).

8. Machine (12) according to claim 2, characterized in that the cutting discs (46, 48) of the second machining unit (36) are parallel to each other and are positioned perpendicularly relative to the direction of the beam.

9. Machine (12) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second machining unit (36) comprises a second carriage (60) which is adapted to slide along the beam (18) and on which there is arranged a second sleeve (62) which is movable in a vertical direction with respect to the second carriage (60) and on which the second machining head (38) is arranged; and a third carriage (64) which is adapted to slide along the beam (18) and on which there is arranged a third sleeve (66) which is movable in a vertical direction with respect to the third carriage (64) and on which the third machining head (40) is arranged.

10. Machine (12) according to claim 9, characterized in that the carriages (60, 64) of the second machining unit are movable along the beam (18) independently of one another.

11. Machine (12) according to claim 10, characterized in that the beam (18) is provided with two guides (68, 70) on which shoes (72, 74) arranged on each operating unit slide, said machine further comprising a rack (76) arranged parallel to the guides (68, 70), and motorized pinions (78, 80) arranged on each machining unit.

Description

[0035] The advantages and characteristic features of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description below of a number of examples of embodiment provided by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows in schematic form a front view of a machine according to the present invention in a first operating configuration;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows in schematic form a front view of the machine according to FIG. 1 in a second operating configuration;

[0038] FIG. 3 shows in schematic form a side view of the machine according to FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 4 shows in schematic form a top plan view of the machine according to FIG. 1, in a possible working configuration;

[0040] FIG. 5 shows in schematic form a top plan view of the machine according to FIG. 4, in a further working configuration;

[0041] FIGS. 6A-6E show in schematic form a possible sequence for cutting a slab with a machine according to the present invention; and

[0042] FIGS. 7A-7F show in schematic form a further possible sequence for cutting a slab with a machine according to the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a machine, indicated by the reference number 12, for cutting slabs of stone or stone-like material.

[0044] In the present description reference will be made to: [0045] a horizontal direction, i.e. substantially parallel to the surface of the ground; and [0046] a vertical direction, i.e. substantially vertical to the above direction.

[0047] The machine 12 comprises a work bench 13, two lateral support structures 14, 16 between which a beam 18 runs.

[0048] In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the work bench 13 may be rotatable. FIG. 4 shows the work bench in a first configuration, while FIG. 5 shows the table rotated through 90.

[0049] Advantageously a drive unit 82 may be provided for rotation of the work bench 13.

[0050] The work bench 13 may be provided with a motorized conveyor belt 92 for feeding the slabs.

[0051] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 the lateral support structures 14, 16 are provided with respective openings 84, 86 through which the slabs may pass. Entry and exit conveyor belts 88, 90 into/from the machine 12, which may be motorized, may be provided for feeding the slab onto the work bench and for extracting the cut parts.

[0052] The machine 12 comprises a first machining unit 20 adapted to slide along the beam 18, said unit comprising: [0053] a carriage 22, provided on said beam 28 and adapted to slide in the horizontal direction on the beam 18; [0054] a sleeve 24 arranged on the carriage 22 and adapted to slide in the vertical direction; [0055] a machining head 26 comprising a spindle 30 provided at one end of the sleeve 24 and rotatable with respect to the sleeve 24 about a substantially vertical axis 28.

[0056] A cutting disc 32 is mounted on the spindle 30.

[0057] In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the machining head 26 may be a so-called bi-rotational head, namely it may be adapted to rotate the spindle 30 both about a vertical axis and about a second axis of rotation.

[0058] The second axis of rotation may be an axis inclined substantially horizontal (as in the attached figures) or may be an axis inclined at an angle of less than 90 with respect to the vertical axis of rotation, for example 45.

[0059] The types of machining head will be not be described in greater detail since they are known to the person skilled in the art.

[0060] The advantages which can be obtained when using a bi-rotational machining head are well-known to the person skilled in the art, these including the possibility of performing diagonal cuts and the possibility of performing inclined cuts with respect to the vertical plane.

[0061] The machining head 26 further comprises manipulator means 34 for a slab or slab portions.

[0062] In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the machining head 26 comprises a protection element or cowling 50 partially covering the cutting disc 32. The function of the protection element 50 is well-known and in particular allows the operator to be protected from the coolant spray and machining swarf. The outer surface of the protection element, which is substantially parallel to the position of the blade, may be provided with manipulator means 34 which comprise suction cups 52 obtained by defining a portion of the outer surface 54 of the protection element 50 with a perimetral seal 56. In the portion of the outer surface 54 in the region of each suction cup a hole 58 is also provided for connecting said surface portion to a vacuum circuit (not shown in the attached drawings).

[0063] The operation of this type of manipulator involves firstly rotation of the spindle 30, so that the suction cups 52 are substantially parallel to the surface of the slab or the portion which must be displaced, or a lowering movement so that the perimetral seals 56 come into contact with the surface of the slab. Once contact with the slab occurs, the vacuum circuit is activated so that gripping take places. Then the cut slab portion is raised, displaced and lowered onto the work bench at the desired point so as to be spaced from the remaining parts of the said slab. The vacuum circuit is deactivated and the slab released onto the work bench 13.

[0064] The manipulator means are thus rotatable about a vertical axis, so as to be able to orient the strips on the bench, thus reducing the machining time.

[0065] The reference to this type of manipulator means is not intended to be limiting in any way, since the principles of the present invention are applicable equally well also to manipulator means of a different type.

[0066] For example, the machine could be equipped with manipulator means engaged with the sleeve and in this case also rotatable about a vertical axis so as to be able to orient the strips on the bench, thus reducing the machining time.

[0067] The machine is characterized in that it comprises a second machining unit 36 comprising at least one second machining head 38 with fixed orientation, adapted to be moved in the vertical direction and comprising a spindle 42 on which a cutting disc 46 is arranged.

[0068] Advantageously, the second machining unit 36 may comprise at least one second machining head 38. In FIG. 1 the machine comprises the second machining head 38 and a third machining head 40 with fixed orientation, arranged side-by-side and adapted to be moved in the vertical direction, each respectively comprising a spindle 42, 44 on which a cutting disc 46, 48 may be provided.

[0069] In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the cutting discs 46, 48 of the second machining unit 36 are parallel to each other and are positioned perpendicularly relative to the direction of extension of the beam.

[0070] In order to perform the cuts, the discs of the second machining unit are moved during their working advancing movement by means of the movement of the beam which travels along the lateral support structures.

[0071] Alternatively, the cutting discs of the second machining unit may be positioned parallel to the direction of extension of the beam. In this case the cut will be obtained by displacing the cutting spindles along the beam.

[0072] In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the second machining unit 36 may comprise a greater number of machining heads, for example three or four.

[0073] The second machining unit 36 may comprise a second carriage 60 which is adapted to slide along the beam 18 and on which there is arranged a second sleeve 62 movable in the vertical direction with respect to the second carriage 60 on which the second machining head 38 is arranged.

[0074] The second machining unit 36 may comprise a third carriage 64 which is adapted to slide along the beam 18 and on which there is arranged a third sleeve 66 movable in the vertical direction with respect to the third carriage 64 on which the third machining head 40 is arranged.

[0075] In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention the at least two carriages 60, 64 are movable along the beam 18, independently of each other.

[0076] The beam 18 may be provided with two guides 68, 70 along which shoes 72, 72 for sliding of the machining units travel.

[0077] In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the means which allow the displacement may consist of a rack 76 arranged parallel to the guides 68, 70 and, between them, a motorized pinion 78, 80 arranged respectively on each carriage 60 of each machining unit, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

[0078] With reference to the figures a number of particular working configurations will be described. In FIG. 1 the machine 12 according to the invention is shown with the second machining unit 36 inoperative, while the machining unit 20 is operative.

[0079] In FIG. 2 both the machining units 20, 36 are operative and all three spindles with their cutting discs are performing a machining operation. The three cutting discs are arranged alongside each other and perform cuts parallel to each other. The same configuration is visible also in FIG. 4 which shows it in a top plan view.

[0080] The machine may therefore operate in at least three different modes:

[0081] A first mode, in which the second machining unit 36 is located at one end of the beam and therefore its spindles and associated cutting discs are excluded from the slab cutting operation and only the spindle 30 of the first machining unit 20, namely that provided with the manipulator means 34, is used. It is possible to perform the so-called preliminary or separating cuts and then perform separation of the material cut using the same spindle which is provided with suction cups.

[0082] A first cut is then performed using the spindle 30 provided with suction cups. The spindle performs a cut along the entire length/width of the slab and then, by means of the suction cup unit with which it is provided, separates the cut parts from each other.

[0083] A second mode, in which only the spindles of the second machining unit 36 are used to perform straight cuts parallel to each other.

[0084] A third mode, in which both the machining units 20, 36 are used, positioning the rotating spindle 30 of the first cutting unit 26 so that it is able to perform a cut parallel to that of the cutting discs of the second machining unit 36.

[0085] The second and third modes are used when, in the cut and separated parts, it is possible to perform a series of cuts all parallel to each other over the entire length/width of the cut parts. In order to understand better the concept described, FIGS. 6A-6E and 7A-7F show examples of two cutting sequences to be performed on a slab.

[0086] In the cutting sequence of FIGS. 6A-6E: [0087] A) Figure A shows in broken lines the cut which must be performed; [0088] B) Figure B shows in schematic form the execution of three parallel cuts using both the machining units 20, 36; [0089] C) Figure C shows in schematic form the execution of a further two parallel cuts carried using both the machining units, but using a single cutting disc of the second machining unit 36 (the outermost disc is excluded); [0090] D) Figure D shows in schematic form the rotation of the work bench 13 through 90 and the execution of three longitudinal cuts (cuts which are perpendicular to the cuts performed previously) using both the machining units; [0091] E) In Figure E another longitudinal cut is performed, parallel to the preceding cuts, using the spindle of the first machining unit.

[0092] In the cutting diagram of FIGS. 7A-7F: [0093] A) Figure A shows the cutting pattern to be carried out on the slab; [0094] B) In Figure B, first a separation cut is performed using the spindle 30 provided with suction cups of the first machining unit 20; [0095] C) In Figure C, separation of the two slab portions is performed by means of the suction cups, after rotating the manipulator means through 90; [0096] D) In Figure D three cuts are performed, using both the machining units 20,36; [0097] E) In Figure E a rotation of the work bench through 90 is performed and two cuts are performed on one of the slab portions using the second machining unit 36; [0098] F) In Figure F a further longitudinal cut is performed on the first part of material cut along the entire length of the material, followed by two further longitudinal cuts on the second part of material cut along the entire length of the material using the second machining unit 36.

[0099] The advantages which may be achieved with the machine according to the present invention are now clear.

[0100] A machine having a good production flexibility, but at the same time also having a good production capacity is obtained.

[0101] All of this whatever the cutting sequences to be performed on the slab to be cut, and moreover without any increase in the production costs of the machine or any limitation of the operating performance.

[0102] The person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy specific needs, may make modifications to the embodiments described above and/or replace elements described with equivalent elements, without thereby departing from the scope of the attached claims.

[0103] For example, machines with more than one beam may be provided. In the same way, it is possible to envisage machines with a second spindle mounted on a bi-rotational head and equipped with suction cups, mounted on the same beam or on a different beam.