Abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts

Abstract

The abrasive assembly (1) for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts, comprisese: - a supporting body (2) associable with a rotating head (30) of a machine tool and configured to rotate around a relevant axis of work (X), wherein the supporting body (2) defines a perimeter surface (3) substantially parallel to said axis of work (X) and on which is obtained a plurality of seats (4) arranged radially with respect to the axis of work (X), each of the seats (4) defining a relevant base wall (14) which develops parallel to the axis of work (X); - a plurality of abrasive tools (8) each of which is inserted within one of the seats (4) in a removable manner; wherein the coupling between the abrasive tools (8) and the seats (4) is of the interlocking type, wherein the seats (4) are of the through type and have at least one set of containment walls (9, 10, 19) contiguous to each other, of which at least one lateral containment wall (9, 19) develops perpendicular to the base wall (14) and at least one upper containment wall (10) arranged facing and parallel to the base wall (14), and wherein the abrasive tools (8) have at least one coupling portion (11) insertable by interlocking within said seat (4), the coupling portion (11) defining at least one abutment surface (12) adapted to interact with the upper containment wall (10), the latter being adapted to prevent the abrasive tool (8) from escaping from the seat (4) along a direction perpendicular to the axis of work (X).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts.Background Art

[0002] In the field of ceramics, it is well known to carry out surface machining operations at the end of the production process, such as polishing or lapping, in order to obtain a more aesthetically valuable surface.

[0003] These surface machining operations are generally carried out by means of special machine tools provided with a rotating head, which is operable in rotation around a main axis perpendicular to the surface of the artifact to be machined and which supports one or more abrasive assemblies.

[0004] More specifically, such abrasive assemblies comprise a supporting body which is associated with the rotating head and which is in turn operable in rotation around an axis of work perpendicular to the main axis of the rotating head.

[0005] EP 4182121 describes an abrasive assembly of known type, which comprises a supporting body on the lateral surface of which a plurality of seats is defined for housing related abrasive tools. Such housing seats are conformed so as to provide a double dovetail, that is, a first dovetail in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the supporting body and a second dovetail parallel to such axis of rotation.

[0006] As can be easily appreciated, this conformation of the seats allows the abrasive tool to be clamped during the machining phases both in the way of tool insertion and transverse thereto.

[0007] However, the abrasive assembly known from EP 4182121 has some drawbacks. In particular, the conformation of the portion of the abrasive tool which is inserted within the relevant seat must be properly shaped and have coupling walls with the same inclination as the dovetails defined by the relevant seat.

[0008] This results in the need for tight machining tolerances because different inclinations between the abrasive tool and its seat could lead to difficulties in inserting the abrasive tool, resulting in higher production costs.

[0009] In addition, the conformation of the seats according to what patent EP 4182121 covers results in uncomfortable insertion of the abrasive tools within them.

[0010] Another drawback still associated with the double dovetail coupling between the supporting body and the abrasive tool consists in the difficulty of achieving precise positioning in the axial direction, that is, along the direction of insertion of the tool within its seat. This is due in particular to the fact that even slight variations in the inclination of the walls defining the double dovetail can lead to inaccurate positioning of the abrasive tool.

[0011] This can lead to obtaining an abrasive assembly in which the abrasive tools have different positioning with respect to each other than with respect to the corresponding supporting body, thus causing inhomogeneity in the surface machining operations carried out and in the consumption of the tools themselves.Description of the Invention

[0012] The main aim of the present invention is to devise an abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts which allows the drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome.

[0013] Specifically, one object of the present invention is to devise an abrasive assembly which allows for easy insertion of the abrasive tools within their respective seats, while requiring low implementation costs.

[0014] Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to devise an abrasive assembly which enables precise positioning of the abrasive tools on their supporting body and, consequently, homogeneous machining operations on the artifacts and homogeneous consumption of the abrasive tools themselves. Another object of the present invention is to devise an abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution. The aforementioned objects are achieved by this abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts according to claim 1.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example in the accompanying tables of drawings in which: Figure 1 is a first axonometric view of an abrasive assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 is a second axonometric view of the abrasive assembly in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partially exploded view of the abrasive assembly in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an enlargement view of the detail of a seat of the abrasive assembly in Figure 1; Figure 5 is an axonometric view of an abrasive tool of the abrasive assembly in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the abrasive tool in Figure 5; Figure 7 is an axonometric view of a rotating head supporting a plurality of abrasive assemblies according to the invention. Embodiments of the Invention

[0016] With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes an abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts. The abrasive assembly 1 comprises a supporting body 2 associable with a rotating head 30 (shown in Figure 7) of a machine tool, which (supporting body) is configured to rotate around a relevant axis of work X.

[0017] The rotating head 30 is operable in rotation around a main axis Y substantially perpendicular to the surface of the artifact to be machined and the supporting body 2 is associated movable in rotation with the rotating head 30 around the axis of work X, the latter being arranged perpendicular to the main axis Y.

[0018] The axis of work X is arranged, in use (i.e., during the operation of the abrasive assembly 1), substantially parallel to the surface of the artifact to be machined.

[0019] The supporting body 2 defines a perimeter surface 3 substantially parallel to the axis of work X and on which a plurality of seats 4 is obtained arranged radially with respect to the axis of work X.

[0020] More particularly, the supporting body 2 has a first surface 5 and a second surface 6 which are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis of work X, where the second surface 6 has a linking element 7 to the rotating head 30. The perimeter surface 3 is placed between the first surface 5 and the second surface 6.

[0021] The abrasive assembly 1 then comprises a plurality of abrasive tools 8, each of which is inserted within a relevant seat 4 in a removable manner.

[0022] Each of the seats 4 defines a relevant base wall 14 which develops parallel to the axis of work X.

[0023] According to the invention, the coupling between the abrasive tools 8 and the seats 4 is of the interlocking type, where the seats 4 are of the through type and have at least one set of containment walls 9, 10, 19 contiguous to each other, of which at least one lateral containment wall 9,19 arranged perpendicular to the base wall 14 and at least one upper containment wall 10 arranged facing and parallel to the base wall 14.

[0024] Still according to the invention, the abrasive tools 8 have at least one coupling portion 11 insertable by interlocking within the relevant seat 4, where such coupling portion 11 defines at least one abutment surface 12 adapted to interact with the upper containment wall 10, which is adapted to prevent the abrasive tool 8 from escaping from the seat 4 along a direction perpendicular to the axis of work X.

[0025] The abrasive tools 8 are then insertable within the relevant seats 4 along one direction of insertion 13 substantially parallel to the axis of work X.

[0026] Advantageously, the abrasive tools 8 have a bottom surface 15 which, in use, faces the base wall 14, where the abutment surface 12 is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 15. In other words, the abrasive tools 8 have an elongated conformation and the relevant coupling portion 11 has variable thickness along its longitudinal development.

[0027] Thus, the coupling portion 11 has a first end 11a and a second end 11b arranged opposite each other, where the second end 11b is arranged upstream of the first end 11a with respect to the relevant direction of insertion 13 and where the distance of the abutment surface 12 from the bottom surface 15 is greater at the second end 11b than at the first end 11a.

[0028] Advantageously, as a result of the insertion of the abrasive tool 8 within the relevant seat 4, the abutment surface 12 at the first end 11a is arranged spaced apart from the corresponding upper containment wall 10 and the abutment surface 12 at the second end 11b interferes with the upper containment wall 10. Preferably, the coupling portion 11 has at least one lateral surface 16,22 which is contiguous and perpendicular to the abutment surface 12 and arranged, in use, parallel to the lateral containment wall 9,19 of the relevant seat 4.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the seats 4 have two sets of containment walls 9, 10, 19 arranged from opposite sides with respect to a median plane and arranged, in use, from opposite sides with respect to the relevant abrasive tool 8. Each seat 4 has, therefore, at least one pair of lateral containment walls 9,19 arranged parallel to each other. The two upper containment walls 10, on the other hand, are coplanar to each other and separated by an opening 17 adapted to receive a central portion 18 of the relevant abrasive tool 8.

[0030] Similarly, the abrasive tools 8 have two coupling portions 11, each of which is adapted to operate, in use, in conjunction with one of the sets of containment walls 9, 10, 19. Each coupling portion 11 defines, therefore, at least one relevant lateral surface 16,22 and one relevant abutment surface 12.

[0031] The two coupling portions 11 are separated from each other by the central portion 18 and are arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal median plane. Appropriately, the seats 4 are substantially T-shaped.

[0032] Advantageously, the seats 4 define two first lateral containment walls 9 which are contiguous and perpendicular to the base wall 14 and two second lateral containment walls 19 which are contiguous and perpendicular to the upper containment walls 10, wherein the second lateral containment walls 19 are placed between the first lateral containment walls 9 and are parallel thereto. Similarly, the abrasive tools 8 have two first lateral surfaces 16 which are contiguous and perpendicular to the bottom surface 15 and two second lateral surfaces 22 which are contiguous and perpendicular to the abutment surfaces 12, where the second lateral surfaces 22 are placed between the relevant first lateral surfaces 16 and are parallel thereto. In use, the first lateral surfaces 16 are arranged facing and parallel to the first lateral containment walls 9 and the second lateral surfaces 22 are arranged facing and parallel to the second lateral containment walls 19 of the relevant seats 4.

[0033] Furthermore, the seats 4 define two holding walls 20 contiguous to the second lateral containment walls 19 and perpendicular thereto.

[0034] Similarly, the abrasive tools 8 have two holding surfaces 21 contiguous to the second lateral surfaces 22 and perpendicular thereto. In use, the holding surfaces 21 are arranged facing the holding walls 20 defined by the relevant seat 4.

[0035] Preferably, the distance between the first lateral containment walls 9 of the seats 4 is greater than the distance between the first lateral surfaces 16 of the relevant abrasive tool 8 and the distance between the second lateral containment walls 19 of the seats 4 is greater than the distance between the second lateral surfaces 22 of the relevant abrasive tool 8. In other words, a gap 23 is defined between at least one of the first lateral surfaces 16 and the corresponding first lateral containment wall 9 and between at least one of the second lateral surfaces 22 and the corresponding second lateral containment wall 19. The abrasive tool 8 is then movable, in use, within the relevant seat 4 in a direction perpendicular to the relevant direction of insertion 13.

[0036] The operation of the abrasive assembly according to the invention is as follows. Once the supporting body 2 has been provided, the abrasive tools 8 are inserted within the corresponding seats 4.

[0037] This is done by making the abrasive tools 8 slide along the relevant directions of insertion 13 so that the relevant coupling portions 11 operate in conjunction with the corresponding containment walls 9, 10.

[0038] The insertion of the abrasive tool 8 is done by first introducing, within the seat 4, the first end 11a of the coupling portions 11 with the smallest thickness. In this way, as the abrasive tool 8 is introduced within the relevant seat 4, its abutment surfaces 12 gradually move close to the upper containment wall 10 until they interact therewith. In fact, the second end 11b of the coupling portions 11 which, as described above, has greater distance from the relevant bottom surface 15 than the first end 11a, contacts the upper containment wall 10 once it is inserted within the seat 4. As a result of the interaction between the abutment surface 12 and the upper containment wall 10, the abrasive tool 8 is then clamped along the direction of insertion 13 with respect to the relevant seat 4.

[0039] The use cannot, however, be ruled out of abrasive tools 8 having different conformation and characterized, e.g., by an abutment surface 12 arranged parallel to the relevant bottom surface 15.

[0040] As described above, since, in use, at least one of the first lateral surfaces 16, 22 is spaced apart from the corresponding first lateral containment wall 9, the abrasive tool 8 has a degree of freedom in the direction perpendicular to the relevant direction of insertion.

[0041] It has, in practice, been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular, the fact is emphasized that the abrasive assembly covered by the present invention allows for easy and convenient insertion of the abrasive tools within the relevant seats.

[0042] In particular, the geometry of the seats of the supporting body allows, on the one hand, for their easy manufacturing, since its walls are all perpendicular or parallel to each other and, on the other hand, it allows for convenient insertion of the relevant abrasive tools. Such insertion is further promoted by the fact that the distance between its lateral surfaces is less than the distance between the lateral containment walls of the relevant seat, thus allowing some clearance in the alignment between the abrasive tool and the seat in the direction transverse to the direction of insertion 13.

[0043] At the same time, the presence of the upper containment wall arranged parallel to the base wall makes it possible to prevent the abrasive tool from escaping in a direction perpendicular to its direction of insertion.

[0044] Again, the geometry of the seats and abrasive tools allows for precise, uniform and reproducible positioning of the latter and, consequently, uniform consumption of the abrasive tools themselves.

[0045] In particular, the proper positioning of the abrasive tools along the relevant directions of insertion is promoted by the fact that the walls of the seats defined on the supporting body are perpendicular or parallel to the base wall, thus simplifying coupling to the abrasive tools, and thus depends on the correspondence between the length of the abrasive tools and that of the corresponding seats.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0016]With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes an abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts. The abrasive assembly 1 comprises a supporting body 2 associable with a rotating head 30 (shown in Figure 7) of a machine tool, which (supporting body) is configured to rotate around a relevant axis of work X.

[0017]The rotating head 30 is operable in rotation around a main axis Y substantially perpendicular to the surface of the artifact to be machined and the supporting body 2 is associated movable in rotation with the rotating head 30 around the axis of work X, the latter being arranged perpendicular to the main axis Y.

[0018]The axis of work X is arranged, in use (i.e., during the operation of the abrasive assembly 1), substantially parallel to the surface of the artifact to be machined.

[0019]The supporting body 2 defines a perimeter surface 3 substantially parallel to the axis of work X and on which a plurality of...

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts.Background Art

[0002] In the field of ceramics, it is well known to carry out surface machining operations at the end of the production process, such as polishing or lapping, in order to obtain a more aesthetically valuable surface.

[0003] These surface machining operations are generally carried out by means of special machine tools provided with a rotating head, which is operable in rotation around a main axis perpendicular to the surface of the artifact to be machined and which supports one or more abrasive assemblies.

[0004] More specifically, such abrasive assemblies comprise a supporting body which is associated with the rotating head and which is in turn operable in rotation around an axis of work perpendicular to the main axis of the rotating head.

[0005] EP 4182121 describes an abrasive assembly of known type, which comprises a supporting body on the lateral surface of which a plurality of seats is defined for housing related abrasive tools. Such housing seats are conformed so as to provide a double dovetail, that is, a first dovetail in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the supporting body and a second dovetail parallel to such axis of rotation.

[0006] As can be easily appreciated, this conformation of the seats allows the abrasive tool to be clamped during the machining phases both in the way of tool insertion and transverse thereto.

[0007] However, the abrasive assembly known from EP 4182121 has some drawbacks. In particular, the conformation of the portion of the abrasive tool which is inserted within the relevant seat must be properly shaped and have coupling walls with the same inclination as the dovetails defined by the relevant seat.

[0008] This results in the need for tight machining tolerances because different inclinations between the abrasive tool and its seat could lead to difficulties in inserting the abrasive tool, resulting in higher production costs.

[0009] In addition, the conformation of the seats according to what patent EP 4182121 covers results in uncomfortable insertion of the abrasive tools within them.

[0010] Another drawback still associated with the double dovetail coupling between the supporting body and the abrasive tool consists in the difficulty of achieving precise positioning in the axial direction, that is, along the direction of insertion of the tool within its seat. This is due in particular to the fact that even slight variations in the inclination of the walls defining the double dovetail can lead to inaccurate positioning of the abrasive tool.

[0011] This can lead to obtaining an abrasive assembly in which the abrasive tools have different positioning with respect to each other than with respect to the corresponding supporting body, thus causing inhomogeneity in the surface machining operations carried out and in the consumption of the tools themselves.Description of the Invention

[0012] The main aim of the present invention is to devise an abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts which allows the drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome.

[0013] Specifically, one object of the present invention is to devise an abrasive assembly which allows for easy insertion of the abrasive tools within their respective seats, while requiring low implementation costs.

[0014] Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to devise an abrasive assembly which enables precise positioning of the abrasive tools on their supporting body and, consequently, homogeneous machining operations on the artifacts and homogeneous consumption of the abrasive tools themselves. Another object of the present invention is to devise an abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution. The aforementioned objects are achieved by this abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts according to claim 1.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example in the accompanying tables of drawings in which: Figure 1 is a first axonometric view of an abrasive assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 is a second axonometric view of the abrasive assembly in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partially exploded view of the abrasive assembly in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an enlargement view of the detail of a seat of the abrasive assembly in Figure 1; Figure 5 is an axonometric view of an abrasive tool of the abrasive assembly in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the abrasive tool in Figure 5; Figure 7 is an axonometric view of a rotating head supporting a plurality of abrasive assemblies according to the invention. Embodiments of the Invention

[0016] With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes an abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts. The abrasive assembly 1 comprises a supporting body 2 associable with a rotating head 30 (shown in Figure 7) of a machine tool, which (supporting body) is configured to rotate around a relevant axis of work X.

[0017] The rotating head 30 is operable in rotation around a main axis Y substantially perpendicular to the surface of the artifact to be machined and the supporting body 2 is associated movable in rotation with the rotating head 30 around the axis of work X, the latter being arranged perpendicular to the main axis Y.

[0018] The axis of work X is arranged, in use (i.e., during the operation of the abrasive assembly 1), substantially parallel to the surface of the artifact to be machined.

[0019] The supporting body 2 defines a perimeter surface 3 substantially parallel to the axis of work X and on which a plurality of seats 4 is obtained arranged radially with respect to the axis of work X.

[0020] More particularly, the supporting body 2 has a first surface 5 and a second surface 6 which are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis of work X, where the second surface 6 has a linking element 7 to the rotating head 30. The perimeter surface 3 is placed between the first surface 5 and the second surface 6.

[0021] The abrasive assembly 1 then comprises a plurality of abrasive tools 8, each of which is inserted within a relevant seat 4 in a removable manner.

[0022] Each of the seats 4 defines a relevant base wall 14 which develops parallel to the axis of work X.

[0023] According to the invention, the coupling between the abrasive tools 8 and the seats 4 is of the interlocking type, where the seats 4 are of the through type and have at least one set of containment walls 9, 10, 19 contiguous to each other, of which at least one lateral containment wall 9,19 arranged perpendicular to the base wall 14 and at least one upper containment wall 10 arranged facing and parallel to the base wall 14.

[0024] Still according to the invention, the abrasive tools 8 have at least one coupling portion 11 insertable by interlocking within the relevant seat 4, where such coupling portion 11 defines at least one abutment surface 12 adapted to interact with the upper containment wall 10, which is adapted to prevent the abrasive tool 8 from escaping from the seat 4 along a direction perpendicular to the axis of work X.

[0025] The abrasive tools 8 are then insertable within the relevant seats 4 along one direction of insertion 13 substantially parallel to the axis of work X.

[0026] Advantageously, the abrasive tools 8 have a bottom surface 15 which, in use, faces the base wall 14, where the abutment surface 12 is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 15. In other words, the abrasive tools 8 have an elongated conformation and the relevant coupling portion 11 has variable thickness along its longitudinal development.

[0027] Thus, the coupling portion 11 has a first end 11a and a second end 11b arranged opposite each other, where the second end 11b is arranged upstream of the first end 11a with respect to the relevant direction of insertion 13 and where the distance of the abutment surface 12 from the bottom surface 15 is greater at the second end 11b than at the first end 11a.

[0028] Advantageously, as a result of the insertion of the abrasive tool 8 within the relevant seat 4, the abutment surface 12 at the first end 11a is arranged spaced apart from the corresponding upper containment wall 10 and the abutment surface 12 at the second end 11b interferes with the upper containment wall 10. Preferably, the coupling portion 11 has at least one lateral surface 16,22 which is contiguous and perpendicular to the abutment surface 12 and arranged, in use, parallel to the lateral containment wall 9,19 of the relevant seat 4.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the seats 4 have two sets of containment walls 9, 10, 19 arranged from opposite sides with respect to a median plane and arranged, in use, from opposite sides with respect to the relevant abrasive tool 8. Each seat 4 has, therefore, at least one pair of lateral containment walls 9,19 arranged parallel to each other. The two upper containment walls 10, on the other hand, are coplanar to each other and separated by an opening 17 adapted to receive a central portion 18 of the relevant abrasive tool 8.

[0030] Similarly, the abrasive tools 8 have two coupling portions 11, each of which is adapted to operate, in use, in conjunction with one of the sets of containment walls 9, 10, 19. Each coupling portion 11 defines, therefore, at least one relevant lateral surface 16,22 and one relevant abutment surface 12.

[0031] The two coupling portions 11 are separated from each other by the central portion 18 and are arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal median plane. Appropriately, the seats 4 are substantially T-shaped.

[0032] Advantageously, the seats 4 define two first lateral containment walls 9 which are contiguous and perpendicular to the base wall 14 and two second lateral containment walls 19 which are contiguous and perpendicular to the upper containment walls 10, wherein the second lateral containment walls 19 are placed between the first lateral containment walls 9 and are parallel thereto. Similarly, the abrasive tools 8 have two first lateral surfaces 16 which are contiguous and perpendicular to the bottom surface 15 and two second lateral surfaces 22 which are contiguous and perpendicular to the abutment surfaces 12, where the second lateral surfaces 22 are placed between the relevant first lateral surfaces 16 and are parallel thereto. In use, the first lateral surfaces 16 are arranged facing and parallel to the first lateral containment walls 9 and the second lateral surfaces 22 are arranged facing and parallel to the second lateral containment walls 19 of the relevant seats 4.

[0033] Furthermore, the seats 4 define two holding walls 20 contiguous to the second lateral containment walls 19 and perpendicular thereto.

[0034] Similarly, the abrasive tools 8 have two holding surfaces 21 contiguous to the second lateral surfaces 22 and perpendicular thereto. In use, the holding surfaces 21 are arranged facing the holding walls 20 defined by the relevant seat 4.

[0035] Preferably, the distance between the first lateral containment walls 9 of the seats 4 is greater than the distance between the first lateral surfaces 16 of the relevant abrasive tool 8 and the distance between the second lateral containment walls 19 of the seats 4 is greater than the distance between the second lateral surfaces 22 of the relevant abrasive tool 8. In other words, a gap 23 is defined between at least one of the first lateral surfaces 16 and the corresponding first lateral containment wall 9 and between at least one of the second lateral surfaces 22 and the corresponding second lateral containment wall 19. The abrasive tool 8 is then movable, in use, within the relevant seat 4 in a direction perpendicular to the relevant direction of insertion 13.

[0036] The operation of the abrasive assembly according to the invention is as follows. Once the supporting body 2 has been provided, the abrasive tools 8 are inserted within the corresponding seats 4.

[0037] This is done by making the abrasive tools 8 slide along the relevant directions of insertion 13 so that the relevant coupling portions 11 operate in conjunction with the corresponding containment walls 9, 10.

[0038] The insertion of the abrasive tool 8 is done by first introducing, within the seat 4, the first end 11a of the coupling portions 11 with the smallest thickness. In this way, as the abrasive tool 8 is introduced within the relevant seat 4, its abutment surfaces 12 gradually move close to the upper containment wall 10 until they interact therewith. In fact, the second end 11b of the coupling portions 11 which, as described above, has greater distance from the relevant bottom surface 15 than the first end 11a, contacts the upper containment wall 10 once it is inserted within the seat 4. As a result of the interaction between the abutment surface 12 and the upper containment wall 10, the abrasive tool 8 is then clamped along the direction of insertion 13 with respect to the relevant seat 4.

[0039] The use cannot, however, be ruled out of abrasive tools 8 having different conformation and characterized, e.g., by an abutment surface 12 arranged parallel to the relevant bottom surface 15.

[0040] As described above, since, in use, at least one of the first lateral surfaces 16, 22 is spaced apart from the corresponding first lateral containment wall 9, the abrasive tool 8 has a degree of freedom in the direction perpendicular to the relevant direction of insertion.

[0041] It has, in practice, been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular, the fact is emphasized that the abrasive assembly covered by the present invention allows for easy and convenient insertion of the abrasive tools within the relevant seats.

[0042] In particular, the geometry of the seats of the supporting body allows, on the one hand, for their easy manufacturing, since its walls are all perpendicular or parallel to each other and, on the other hand, it allows for convenient insertion of the relevant abrasive tools. Such insertion is further promoted by the fact that the distance between its lateral surfaces is less than the distance between the lateral containment walls of the relevant seat, thus allowing some clearance in the alignment between the abrasive tool and the seat in the direction transverse to the direction of insertion 13.

[0043] At the same time, the presence of the upper containment wall arranged parallel to the base wall makes it possible to prevent the abrasive tool from escaping in a direction perpendicular to its direction of insertion.

[0044] Again, the geometry of the seats and abrasive tools allows for precise, uniform and reproducible positioning of the latter and, consequently, uniform consumption of the abrasive tools themselves.

[0045] In particular, the proper positioning of the abrasive tools along the relevant directions of insertion is promoted by the fact that the walls of the seats defined on the supporting body are perpendicular or parallel to the base wall, thus simplifying coupling to the abrasive tools, and thus depends on the correspondence between the length of the abrasive tools and that of the corresponding seats.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0016]With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes an abrasive assembly for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts. The abrasive assembly 1 comprises a supporting body 2 associable with a rotating head 30 (shown in Figure 7) of a machine tool, which (supporting body) is configured to rotate around a relevant axis of work X.

[0017]The rotating head 30 is operable in rotation around a main axis Y substantially perpendicular to the surface of the artifact to be machined and the supporting body 2 is associated movable in rotation with the rotating head 30 around the axis of work X, the latter being arranged perpendicular to the main axis Y.

[0018]The axis of work X is arranged, in use (i.e., during the operation of the abrasive assembly 1), substantially parallel to the surface of the artifact to be machined.

[0019]The supporting body 2 defines a perimeter surface 3 substantially parallel to the axis of work X and on which a plurality of...

Claims

1. Abrasive assembly (1) for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts, comprising: - a supporting body (2) associable with a rotating head (30) of a machine tool and configured to rotate around a relevant axis of work (X), wherein said supporting body (2) defines a perimeter surface (3) substantially parallel to said axis of work (X) and on which is obtained a plurality of seats (4) arranged radially with respect to said axis of work (X), each of said seats (4) defining a relevant base wall (14) which develops parallel to said axis of work (X); - a plurality of abrasive tools (8) each of which is inserted within one of said seats (4) in a removable manner; characterized by the fact that the coupling between said abrasive tools (8) and said seats (4) is of the interlocking type, by the fact that said seats (4) are of the through type and have at least one set of containment walls (9, 10, 19) contiguous to each other, of which at least one lateral containment wall (9, 19) develops perpendicular to said base wall (14) and at least one upper containment wall (10) arranged facing and parallel to said base wall (14), and by the fact that said abrasive tools (8) have at least one coupling portion (11) insertable by interlocking within said seat (4), wherein said coupling portion (11) defines at least one abutment surface (12) adapted to interact with said upper containment wall (10), the latter being adapted to prevent said abrasive tool (8) from escaping from said seat (4) along a direction perpendicular to said axis of work (X).

2. Abrasive assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said abrasive tools (8) have a relevant bottom surface (15) arranged, in use, facing said base wall (14) and by the fact that said abutment surface (12) is inclined with respect to said bottom surface (15).

3. Abrasive assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that said abrasive tools (8) have an elongated conformation and by the fact that the relevant coupling portion (11) has variable thickness along its longitudinal development.

4. Abrasive assembly (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by the fact that said abrasive tool (8) is insertable within the relevant seat (4) along one direction of insertion (13) parallel to said axis of work (X) and by the fact that said coupling portion (11) has a first end (11a) and a second end (11b) arranged opposite each other, wherein said second end is arranged upstream of said first end (11a) with respect to said direction of insertion (13) and wherein, in use, the abutment surface (12) at said first end (11a) is arranged spaced apart from said upper containment wall (10) and the abutment surface (12) at said second end (11b) interferes with said upper containment wall (10).

5. Abrasive assembly (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said coupling portion (11) has at least one lateral surface (16, 22) which is contiguous and perpendicular to said abutment surface (12) and arranged, in use, parallel to said lateral containment wall (9, 19).

6. Abrasive assembly (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said seats (4) have two of said sets of containment walls (9, 10, 19) arranged from opposite sides with respect to a median plane and arranged, in use from opposite sides with respect to said abrasive tool (8) and by the fact that said abrasive tools (8) have two of said coupling portions (11) each of which is adapted to operate, in use, in conjunction with one of said sets of containment walls (9, 10, 19).

7. Abrasive assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that each of said seats (4) defines at least one pair of lateral containment walls (9, 19) arranged parallel to each other and by the fact that said abrasive tool (8) has at least one pair of lateral surfaces (16, 22) parallel to each other and arranged facing, in use, said lateral containment walls (9, 19).

8. Abrasive assembly (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by the fact that said seats (4) are substantially T-shaped.

9. Abrasive assembly (1) according to one or more of claims 6 to 8, characterized by the fact that said seats (4) define two first lateral containment walls (9) contiguous and perpendicular to said base wall (14) and two second lateral containment walls (19) contiguous and perpendicular to said upper containment walls (10), wherein said second lateral containment walls (19) are placed between said first lateral containment walls (9) and are parallel thereto, and by the fact that said abrasive tools (8) have two first lateral surfaces (16) contiguous and perpendicular to said bottom surface (15) and two second lateral surfaces (22) contiguous and perpendicular to said abutment surfaces (12), wherein said second lateral surfaces (22) are placed between the relevant first lateral surfaces (16) and are parallel thereto, in use said first lateral surfaces (16) being arranged facing and parallel to the first lateral containment walls (9) and said second lateral surfaces (22) being arranged facing and parallel to the second lateral containment walls (19) of the relevant seats (4).

10. Abrasive assembly (1) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that said seats (4) define two holding walls (20) contiguous to said second lateral containment walls (19) and perpendicular thereto and by the fact that said abrasive tools (8) have two holding surfaces (21) contiguous to said second lateral surfaces (22) and perpendicular thereto, in use said holding surfaces (21) being arranged facing the holding walls (20) defined by the relevant seats (4).

11. Abrasive assembly (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by the fact that the distance between the first lateral containment walls (9) of said seats (4) is greater than the distance between the first lateral surfaces (16) of the relevant abrasive tool (8) and the distance between the second lateral containment walls (19) of said seats (4) is greater than the distance between the second lateral surfaces (22) of the relevant abrasive tool (8), said abrasive tools (8) being movable, in use, within the relevant seat (4) in a direction perpendicular to the relevant direction of insertion (13).

12. Machine tool for the surface machining of ceramic and / or stone artifacts, comprising: - a rotating head (30) operable in rotation around a main axis (Y) substantially perpendicular to the surface of the artifact to be machined; - at least one abrasive assembly (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said supporting body (2) is associated movable in rotation with said rotating head (30) around said axis of work (X), the latter being arranged perpendicular to said main axis (Y).

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