ITVI20130071A1 - MULTI-UTILITY MACHINE FOR PROCESSING PRODUCTS IN STONE MATERIAL - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

[0001] The present invention is generally applicable to the technical sector of processing materials with high surface hardness and particularly relates to a multi-tool machine for processing products made of stone, cement, conglomerate, granite and the like.

State of the art

[0001] The processing of products made with materials of high hardness through the use of one or more tools suitable for carrying out specific processes on one or more surfaces of the product is known.

[0002] In particular, machines are known which are suitable for carrying out surface machining of smoothing, polishing, scratching, drilling and brushing one or more surfaces of the product.

[0003] Furthermore, the products to be processed can be blocks of stone or granite material, or they can be prefabricated panels made of concrete, conglomerate or other similar materials.

[0004] A common typology of machines provides for the use of a single processing head movable above one or more surfaces of the product to be treated.

[0005] However, such machines have relatively long product processing times and require the frequent intervention of an operator.

[0006] In fact, in order to carry out different types of machining on the surface of the product, it is necessary to stop the head from time to time and manually replace the tool.

[0007] To obviate this drawback, there are known machines or plants for processing products made of stone or similar material which have a plurality of movable heads suitable for carrying out respective surface treatments on one or more sides of the product.

[0008] From FR2694720 a device for the surface treatment of slabs in stone or cementitious material is known, comprising a pair of longitudinal bridge beams slidably mounted on a pair of transverse rails.

[0009] These beams support a longitudinally movable crosspiece comprising a central processing head and a pair of lateral heads.

[0010] In particular, all the heads are vertically movable while the lateral heads have further axes of movement which are differentiated and independent from each other.

[0011] In this way the device can perform several simultaneous machining operations on the product by means of the simultaneous interaction of the tools of each head with the surface to be machined.

[0012] However, this device allows to obtain limited improvements since it allows to carry out only limited types of processing, reducing only considerably the total processing times of the product.

[0013] In fact, the presence of a single crosspiece limits the independence of the movements of the heads, in particular along longitudinal directions.

[0014] It follows that all the heads can simultaneously process only a reduced longitudinal portion of the upper surface of the product.

[0015] Furthermore, the fixed inclination of one of the heads does not allow to carry out processes that require different angles of incidence of the tool with the surface of the product.

[0016] Furthermore, the processes that require the rotation of the tool along a vertical axis substantially orthogonal to the plane of the product surface, such as for example those of sanding, polishing or brushing, can be performed simultaneously only by the central head and by a of the side heads with a consequent increase in the total processing times for these processes.

[0017] Not the least disadvantage of this solution is represented by the fact that the hinged side head can perform a maximum rotation with respect to a longitudinal rotation axis equal to the flat angle and this does not allow the tool to work on the surface lower part of the object to be machined.

Presentation of the invention

[0002] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks encountered above, by providing a multi-tool machine for processing products made of stone or similar material which has characteristics of high efficiency and relative cost-effectiveness.

[0003] A particular object of the present invention is to provide a multi-tool machine for processing stone or similar material products which allows to significantly reduce the overall processing times of the semi-finished product.

[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-tool machine for processing products made of stone or similar material which allows to simultaneously carry out a plurality of processing on the product to be treated, even of a non-superficial type.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-tool machine for processing stone material products which is particularly flexible and which allows a wide range of processing operations to be carried out without particular limitations and in a single cycle of processing.

[0006] A further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-tool machine for processing stone material products which allows to carry out operations easily and quickly on the edge or corner of the semi-finished product.

[0007] These purposes, as well as others that will appear more clearly later on, are achieved by a multi-tool machine for processing products in stone or similar material, according to claim 1, comprising a support surface for one or more products to be working by defining a longitudinal axis, a supporting structure that can be moved along said longitudinal axis and capable of supporting at least a first, a second and a third processing head intended to interact with one or more surfaces of the product being processed.

[0008] The machine is characterized by the fact that each said head is movable with respect to said load-bearing structure independently of the others to allow simultaneous processing of one or more surfaces of the product to be processed.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are obtained in accordance with the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

[0010] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident in the light of the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a multi-tool machine for processing stone or similar material products according to the invention, illustrated by way of example not limitative with the help of the joined drawing tables in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-tool machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the machine of Fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the machine of Fig. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are front views of a first and a second enlarged detail of Fig. 3;

FIG. 6 is a first side view of the machine of Fig. 1;

FIG. 7 is a second side view of the machine of Fig. 1;

FIGS. 8 to 10 are front views of a third detail of Fig. 1 in different operating positions;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are side views of the third detail of Fig. 1.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment example [0011] With reference to the aforementioned figures, a multi-tool machine for processing stone material products is illustrated, globally indicated with 1, intended to perform machining on one or more surfaces S, Sâ € ™, Sâ €, Sâ € ™ â € ... of a product P to be machined.

[0012] In particular, the machine 1 can be used to work on blocks or slabs of stone or granite material, or it can be used to work on prefabricated slabs or panels in concrete, conglomerate or other similar materials.

[0013] The multi-tool machine 1 comprises a support surface 2 defining a longitudinal axis L able to support one or more products P to be processed and a supporting structure 3 that can be moved along the longitudinal axis L and able to support at least a first 4, at least a second 5 and at least a third processing head 6 intended to interact with one or more surfaces S, S \ Sâ €, Sâ € ™ â € ... of the product P to be processed.

[0014] In particular, the support surface 2 can be placed at a predetermined height from the ground to allow the raised positioning of one or more slabs to be machined or stone products P of reduced size.

[0015] Alternatively, the support surface 2 may coincide with the ground G so as to allow the processing of blocks or products P with relatively large dimensions.

[0016] According to a particular configuration of the invention, the first 4, the second 5 and the third processing head 6 are movable with respect to the supporting structure 3 independently of each other to allow the simultaneous processing of one or more surfaces S, Sâ € ™, Sâ €, ... of the product P being processed.

[0017] In this way it will be possible to carry out with the same multi-tool machine 1 a plurality of machining on the surfaces S, Sâ € ™, Sâ €, ... of the product P without these being carried out sequentially, so as to considerably reduce the overall processing times.

[0018] Conveniently, as better illustrated in the figures, the first 4, the second 5 and the third head 6 can be movable along respective transverse translation directions W-ι, W2, W3 substantially horizontal independently from each other.

[0019] The supporting structure 3 may be of the bridge type and may comprise a pair of substantially vertical uprights 7, 8 joined by at least one pair of transverse beams 9, 10.

[0020] The beams 9, 10 can be longitudinally spaced between them and the machine 1 can comprise longitudinal guide means 11 anchored to the ground G to allow the supporting structure 3 to translate longitudinally with respect to the support plane 2.

[0021] The supporting structure 3, moreover, may be able to prevent the independent displacement of the first 4, the second 5 and the third head 6 in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] In this way, as better illustrated in the figures, the longitudinal translation of the supporting structure 3 will promote the simultaneous longitudinal movement of the first 4, the second 5 and the third head 6 in the same direction of displacement.

[0023] Conveniently, the beams 9, 10 can have a predetermined transversal length wi variable according to the maximum width of the products being processed.

[0024] For example, the beams 9, 10 may have a transversal length wi not less than 2200mm.

[0025] The longitudinal guide means 11, as better illustrated in FIG. 1, also be associated with the uprights 7, 8 of the supporting structure 3.

[0026] In particular, the longitudinal guide means 11 may comprise, for each upright 7, 8, a pair of first wheels 12, 12â € ™ able to engage slidingly on respective first longitudinal rails 13, 13â € ™ fixed to the surface of support G of the structure 3.

[0027] Furthermore, the first rails 13, 13â € ™ may have a longitudinal length equal to or greater than the maximum length of the products P to be processed.

[0028] The machine 1 may comprise longitudinal movement means, not illustrated, able to promote the controlled rotation of the first wheels 12, 12â € ™ on the first rails 13, 13â € ™ and allow the displacement of the assemblies 7, 8 with respect to the plane support 2.

[0029] Conveniently, the beams 9, 10 may comprise a pair of internal walls 14, 15 facing each other and a pair of external walls 16, 17, opposite the internal walls 14, 15 and facing outwards of the supporting structure 3 .

[0030] Conveniently, as better illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the machine 1 may comprise first transverse guide means 18 associated with the internal walls 14, 15 of the pair of beams 9, 10 to guide slidingly a first carriage 19 adapted to support at least a first processing head 4.

[0031] The first transverse guide means 18 may be adapted to allow the first carriage 19 to move along a first transverse translation direction Ti parallel or coincident with the respective translation direction Wi of the first heads 4.

[0032] In particular, the first transverse guide means 18 may comprise a pair of second wheels 20, 20â € ™ associated with the first carriage 20 adapted to engage slidingly on respective second rails 21, 21â € ™ anchored to the internal wall 14, 15 of beams 9, 10.

[0033] The machine 1 may comprise first transversal movement means of the first carriage 19, not illustrated, suitable for promoting the controlled rotation of the second wheels 20, 20â € ™ on the second rails 21, 21â € ™.

[0034] The first head 4 may comprise at least one tool U adapted to interact with the upper surface S of the product P being processed.

[0035] In particular, the tool U of the first head 4 may be movable along a first substantially vertical translation direction Vi with respect to the first carriage 19.

[0036] In particular, as better illustrated in FIGs. 3, 4 and 5, the first head 4 may comprise first linear actuators 22 associated with the tool U to promote its vertical translation along the first translation direction Vi.

[0037] In particular, each linear actuator 22 can be configured to promote the vertical movement of the tool U with an excursion of not less than 100mm.

[0038] Furthermore, the machine 1 may comprise a plurality of first heads 4 mounted on the first carriage 19 in a longitudinally side by side position.

[0039] The number of the first heads 4 can be chosen so as to allow simultaneous processing of the upper surface S of the product P along its entire width.

[0040] In the configuration illustrated in the figures, which is intended to be an exemplary and non-limiting example of the present invention, the machine 1 comprises eight first processing heads 4 side by side mounted on the first carriage 19 and suitable for allowing simultaneous processing of an upper surface with width not less than 2200mm.

[0041] Advantageously, the first heads 4 can be movable along respective first vertical translation directions Vi independently from each other.

[0042] Thanks to this characteristic, the first heads 4 can be adapted and position the respective tools U at the same distance d from the upper surface S or, alternatively, at a different distance d so as to realize a plurality of machining operations on the surface S of the same type or of a different type.

[0043] For example, the plurality of first heads 4 can be configured to simultaneously perform grinding, polishing, brushing, scratching, grooving and drilling operations on the upper surface S of the product P.

[0044] Conveniently, the machine 1 may comprise second 23 and third transverse guiding means 24, better visible in FIGS. 6 and 7, associated with respective external walls 16, 17 of the beams 9, 10 to guide slidingly respectively a second carriage 25 adapted to support at least a second head 5 and a third carriage 26 adapted to support at least a third head 6.

[0045] The second 5 and / or the third head 6 may comprise further tools U adapted to interact with one of the surfaces S, Sâ € ™, Sâ €, ... of the product P being machined.

[0046] The machine 1 may comprise second and third movement means, not shown, associated respectively with the second 25 and the third carriage 26 to promote their controlled translation along respective transverse translation directions T2, T3.

[0047] Furthermore, the second 23 and the third transverse guide means 24 may be configured to allow the translation of the second 25 and the third carriage 26 with an excursion less than or equal to the transverse length Wi of the beams 9, 10.

[0048] The second 23 and the third transverse guide means 24 may comprise a plurality of bushes, not visible in the figures, associated with the second 25 and the third carriage 26 suitable for slidingly engaging respective transverse rails 27, visible in FIG. 7, integral with the external wall 16, 17 of the beam 9, 10.

[0049] For example, the second 23 and the third transversal guide means 24 can be selected from within the group comprising the ball, roller or similar recirculating screws.

[0050] Conveniently, as clearly visible in FIGS. 1 and 6, the second 25 and the third carriage 26 can be cantilevered on the respective external walls 16, 17 of the beams 9, 10.

[0051] The second 25 and the third carriage 26, moreover, may each comprise respective appendages 28, 29 to which sliding slides 30, 31 are associated, suitable for supporting and slidingly guiding the second machining head 5 or the third machining head 6 .

[0052] The appendices 28, 29, as better visible in FIGS. from 6 to 12, they may comprise a substantially vertical central passage 32, 33 for the insertion of the sliding slide 30, 31.

[0053] Conveniently, the appendages 28, 29 may comprise a respective support 34, 35 suitable for slidingly guiding the slides 30, 31 to allow their translation along respective second vertical translation directions V2, V2â € ™.

[0054] For example, the supports 34, 35 can be configured to promote the translation of each slide 30, 31 along the second vertical translation direction V2, V2â € ™ with an excursion of not less than 300mm.

[0055] Each support, moreover, can be rotatably mounted on the appendix 32, 33 so as to allow the rotation of the slides 30, 31 around respective vertical rotation axes X, Xâ € ™ coinciding or parallel to the second translation directions V2, V2â € ™.

[0056] In the configuration of the invention illustrated in the figures, each slide 30, 31 rotates around an axis of vertical rotation X, Xâ € ™ coinciding with the respective second direction of translation V2, V2â € ™.

[0057] In particular, each slide 30, 31 will be able to rotate around its own vertical axis X, Xâ € ™ with a maximum rotation angle close to the revolving angle.

[0058] Furthermore, the second 25 and the third carriage 26 will comprise respective first motor means, not visible in the figures, associated with the supports 34, 35 and adapted to promote in a controlled manner both the vertical translation of the slide 30, 31 and its rotation around the axis of vertical rotation X, Xâ € ™.

[0059] In particular, the first motor means may comprise a linear motor, not shown, or other similar devices.

[0060] Naturally, the controlled movement of the slide 30, 31 will promote the corresponding translation of the second 5 or of the third head 6 along the second translation direction V2, V2â € ™ or their rotation with respect to the first vertical rotation axis X, Xâ € ™.

[0061] Conveniently, the second 5 and / or the third head 6 can be rotatable around a respective first axis of rotation Y, Yâ € ™ substantially horizontal.

[0062] In particular, the first axis of rotation Y, Yâ € ™ may be substantially transverse.

[0063] In particular, the maximum rotation of the second head 5 and of the third head 6 with respect to their respective transverse rotation axes Y, Yâ € ™ may be substantially close to or slightly less than the round angle.

[0064] Furthermore, the second 25 and the third carriage 26 may comprise respective second motor means, not shown, adapted to promote the controlled rotation of the second 5 and of the third head 6 with respect to the corresponding axis of rotation Y, Yâ € ™.

[0065] Advantageously, at least one of the second 5 and the third machining head 6 can oscillate around a second substantially horizontal transverse rotation axis Z with a predetermined maximum angular excursion Î ”Î ̃.

[0066] In particular, the second axis of transverse rotation Z may be substantially longitudinal.

[0067] For example, the second 5 and / or the third head 6 will be able to oscillate around the corresponding second of transverse rotation Z with a maximum angular excursion Î ”Î ̃ of approximately 200 °.

[0068] Conveniently, the second axis of transverse rotation Z may be substantially orthogonal to the first axis of transverse rotation Y, Yâ € ™

[0069] The second 25 and / or the third carriage 26 may comprise respective third motor means, not shown, adapted to promote the controlled rotation of the second 5 and / or of the third head 6 with respect to the second transverse rotation axis Z.

[0070] In this way, the synchronized actuation of the first, second and third motor means will allow to vary the position of the second 5 and / or of the third head 6 with respect to the support surface 2 so that the tools U of the interact with any surface S, Sâ € ™, Sâ €, ... of the product P being processed.

[0071] Furthermore, the second 5 and the third head 6 can be positioned with respect to the support plane 2 in such a way that the tools U interact with one of the surfaces S, Sâ € ™, Sâ €, ... to be machined in position inclined with respect to the vertical and / or horizontal.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the motor means will be able to position the second 5 and / or the third head 6 so that the tool U interacts with the lateral surface Sâ € ™, Sâ € or lower Sâ € ™ â € of a slab or with its edges to carry out sanding, polishing, brushing, scratching, grooving or the like.

[0073] Conveniently, as better illustrated in FIGS. from 7 to 12, each slide 30, 31 may have an end 38, 39 connected to a fork bracket 40, 41 suitable to support the second 5 or the third machining head 6.

[0074] In particular, the second 5 and / or the third head 6 can be mounted on the fork bracket 40, 41 by means of a pair of rotating joints, of which only one visible in the figures and indicated with 42, suitable for allowing rotation around the first axis of transverse rotation Y, Yâ € ™.

[0075] Conveniently, the second 5 and / or the third head 6 may comprise a substantially vertical support plate 43 able to support at least one tool U and a substantially horizontal support plate 44 able to support at least one further tool U.

[0076] This arrangement of the tools U allows to increase the flexibility of the heads 5, 6 as it allows to house a plurality of tools U suitable for performing different machining on the surface S, Sâ € ™, Sâ €, Sâ € ™ â € of the product P.

[0077] For example, as better illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the second 5 and / or the third head 6 may comprise three tools U supported by the vertical plate 43, respectively a pair of drilling spindles 45 and a cutting disk 46, and further three tools U supported by the horizontal plate 44 to carry out surface sanding, polishing, brushing or similar.

[0078] From the foregoing, it is evident that the invention achieves the intended purposes and in particular that of providing a multi-tool machine for processing products in stone or similar material which allows the simultaneous interaction of several tools with the surfaces of a product in order to significantly reduce the overall processing time.

[0079] The multi-tool machine according to the invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept expressed in the attached claims. All the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can be different according to the requirements, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0080] Although the multi-tool machine has been described with particular reference to the attached figures, the reference numbers are used to improve the intelligence of the invention and do not constitute any limitation to the claimed scope of protection.

Claims (13)

R I V E N D I C AZ I O N I 1. A multi-tool machine for processing products (P) in stone or similar material, comprising a support surface (2) for one or more products (P) to be machined defining a longitudinal axis (L), a bearing structure (3 ) movable along said longitudinal axis (L) capable of supporting at least a first (4), a second (5) and a third machining head (6) intended to interact with one or more surfaces (S, Sâ € ™, Sâ € , Sâ € ™ â €) of the product (P) being processed, characterized by the fact that each of said heads (4, 5, 6) is mobile with respect to said supporting structure (3) independently from the others to allow simultaneous processing of several surfaces (S, Sâ € ™, Sâ €, Sâ € â € ™) of each product (P) being processed. 2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said heads (4, 5, 6) is movable along respective substantially horizontal and transverse directions (Wi, W2, W3). 3. Machine according to claim 1 0 2, characterized in that said supporting structure (3) is of the bridge type with at least one pair of substantially vertical uprights (7, 8) joined by at least one pair of transverse beams (9, 10), substantially parallel with internal walls (14, 15) facing each other and external walls (16, 17) facing outwards of said bearing structure (3). 4. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that each of said beams (9, 10) comprises first transverse guiding means (18) associated with said internal walls (14, 15) for slidingly guiding a first carriage (19) adapted to to support said at least one first processing head (4). 5. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one first head (4) comprises at least one tool (U) adapted to interact with the upper surface (S) of the product (P) being processed. 6. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said first carriage (19) supports a plurality of first processing heads (4) in longitudinally offset positions, each of said first heads (4) being movable along a translation direction ( Vi) substantially vertical independently from the others. 7. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that each of said beams (9, 10) comprises second (23) and third transverse guide means (24) associated with said external walls (16, 17) to guide slidingly respectively a second carriage (25) adapted to support said at least one second processing head (5) and a third carriage (26) adapted to support said at least one third processing head (6). 8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that said second (25) and said third carriage (26) each comprise an appendix (28, 29) to which a sliding slide (30, 31) is associated, able to support and sliding respectively said at least one second processing head (5) or said at least one third processing head (6) along a substantially vertical translation direction (V2, V2â € ™). 9. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that each of said slides (30, 31) is slidably guided by a support (34, 35) rotatably mounted on said appendix (28, 29) around a respective axis of rotation (X, Xâ € ™) substantially vertical. 10. Machine according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that said at least one second head (5) and / or said at least one third head (6) are rotatable around a respective first axis of rotation (Y, Yâ € ™) substantially horizontal. 11. Machine according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that at least one of said second (5) and said third (6) machining head is oscillating around a respective second substantially horizontal axis of rotation (Z) with predetermined maximum angular excursion (Î ”Î ̃). Machine according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that said at least one second (5) and / or said at least one third processing head (6) comprise at least one substantially vertical support plate (43) and at least a substantially horizontal support plate (44) adapted to each support at least one respective machining tool (U). 13. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises longitudinal guide means (11) which can be anchored to the ground (G) for slidingly guiding said uprights (7, 8) along said longitudinal direction (L) with respect to said surface support (2).