Machine and method for cutting slabs made of stone or ceramic or glass material

Abstract

Machine (1) for cutting slabs (L) of stone or ceramic or glass material, comprising a support bench (2) for the slabs (L), a work unit (4) comprising a first nozzle (8A) for cutting the slabs (L) by means of a high-pressure waterjet along a cutting direction, mounted on a support head (10), first translation means (12) and second translation means (14) intended to displace the work unit (4), respectively, at least along the cutting direction and along a vertical direction perpendicular to the support bench (2), movement means (22) configured to move the first nozzle (8A) from a retracted or rest position into an extracted operating position and, vice versa, and first rotation means (25A) configured to incline the first nozzle (8A) at an angle of at least 45° with respect to a vertical plane (VV). The work unit (4) further comprises a second nozzle (8B) for cutting the slabs (L) by means of a high-pressure waterjet and second rotation means configured to incline the second nozzle (8B) at an angle of at least 45° with respect to the vertical plane (VV) and on the symmetrically opposite side to the first nozzle (8A) relative to the vertical plane (VV).

Description

[0001] “Machine and method for cutting slabs made of stone or ceramic or glass material”

[0002] *****

[0003] The present invention relates to the technical field of machining articles made of stone or ceramic material or similar materials, in particular cutting slabs made of stone or ceramic or glass material.

[0004] In particular, the present invention relates to a machine and a method for cutting slabs made of stone or ceramic or glass material.

[0005] In the prior art machines for cutting slabs, made for example of natural stone, natural stone conglomerate or ceramic or glass material, are known.

[0006] Such cutting machines comprise mainly a work unit provided with cutting means and movable above a bench for supporting the slabs by means of first translation means and second translation means.

[0007] The cutting means of the work unit, depending on the type of cut to be performed on the slabs, may comprise:

[0008] - a cutting disc with a respective spindle; or

[0009] - a nozzle for cutting with a high-pressure waterjet and suspended abrasive; or

[0010] - a cutting disc with a respective spindle and a nozzle for cutting with a high- pressure waterjet and suspended abrasive; or

[0011] - a combination of the cutting disc and nozzle.

[0012] Generally, the cutting disc is used to perform straight cuts on the slabs, while the nozzle for performing cutting with a waterjet and abrasive is used to perform precision cuts or curved cuts, also in particularly fragile materials; the cutting disc and the nozzle are therefore used as an alternative to each other during the cutting operations.

[0013] The cutting disc feeding speed is adjusted usually in a range of between 1 and 15 m / minute and the feeding speed of the nozzle is adjusted usually within a range of between 0.1 and 0.5 m / minute, depending on the type of material and the thickness of the slabs, which normally ranges between 6 and 40 mm.

[0014] Generally, the diamond-coated rim of the cutting disc has a thickness of about 3-4 mm, while the water jet with abrasive has a diameter of about 1 mm, therefore generating a cut with a width smaller than the cut generated by the disc and a substantially smaller amount of machining waste.

[0015] The first translation means and the second translations means may be of the Cartesian or anthropomorphic type.

[0016] In the first embodiment, the first translation means comprise usually a longitudinal beam slidably supported at its ends by a pair of transverse support shoulders or structures and a carriage slidably mounted on the beam. By means of these translation means it is possible to move the work unit along two mutually perpendicular cutting directions which lie in a plane parallel to the support bench or alternatively along further paths by means of interpolation.

[0017] Furthermore the second translation means comprise preferably a sleeve for displacing the work unit along a vertical direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the support bench between a raised rest position and a lowered operating position for cutting the slab.

[0018] In the second embodiment, the first translation means and the second translation means consist of at least one robotic arm, movable in the various directions, and therefore of an anthropomorphic structure able to be positioned at any point in the workspace and / or to travel along any interpolated path.

[0019] The work unit comprises in addition a head for supporting the cutting disc and the nozzle.

[0020] With reference to the embodiments of the translation means described above, the support head is mounted, respectively, on the bottom end of the sleeve or the terminal end of the robotic arm so as to be rotatable with respect to the sleeve or the robotic arm at least about a vertical axis.

[0021] The support head may also be a bi-rotational head, namely comprise a fork structure mounted rotatably about the vertical axis on the sleeve or on the robotic arm and a support designed to support the cutting disc and the nozzle, the support being rotatable with respect to the fork about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the vertical axis.

[0022] The nozzle may be movable with respect to the support head between a retracted or rest position, when only the disc is used for cutting the slabs, and an extracted operating position, when the slab is cut only using the high- pressure waterjet, and vice versa.

[0023] The movement of the nozzle is performed by movement means comprising preferably a pneumatic cylinder or a mechanical drive.

[0024] The support bench comprises generally a tank containing water for receiving and damping the high-pressure water jets should the nozzle be used for cutting the slabs.

[0025] The tank is covered at the top by a sacrificial surface, usually formed by an interchangeable metal grid and, as required, by one or more actual sacrificial elements positioned on top of the grid.

[0026] The grid consists generally of a series of steel profiles which are arranged alongside each other and the sacrificial elements are usually made of wood or plastic or elastomeric material or fiber cement.

[0027] The present invention relates preferably to the embodiment in which the sacrificial surface is formed by a series of adjacent steel profiles and, as required, by one or more sacrificial elements positioned on top of the profiles.

[0028] The cutting disc, when it is used for cutting the slabs, penetrates by a predetermined amount, about 1 mm, into the thickness of the sacrificial element, said element therefore having the function of preventing contact between the cutting disc and the metal grid.

[0029] Furthermore, the high-pressure waterjet also acts on the sacrificial element, cutting it integrally, and in this way cuts only by a limited amount into the metal grid.

[0030] Examples of such machines for cutting the slabs are described in Italian patent No.102013902145818 and in international patent application No. W02006 / 043294.

[0031] Also known are methods where cuts are made at 45° (also known as “miter cuts”) on slabs of stone or ceramic or glass material in order to form for example kitchen worktops with L-shaped edges, namely tops formed by elements with a first cut at about 45° intended to be joined to edges or sides, called “skirting”, having a cut at angle of about 45° situated symmetrically opposite to the first cut, so that the elements may be joined together perfectly at 90° with respect to each other.

[0032] In fact, the inclination of the cuts is generally slightly greater than 45° so as to obtain the 90° joint by inserting a thin layer of glue between the two elements. In this way, the worktops appear to be thicker than what they actually are.

[0033] In order to carry out the aforementioned methods firstly a first cut inclined at about 45° with respect to a vertical plane is performed by means of a high- pressure waterjet close to an edge of a slab (at a distance of a few centimeters), separating the edge which will then form the side of the worktop.

[0034] Then a second cut also inclined at about 45° with respect to a vertical plane, but situated symmetrically opposite to the first cut, is performed, so that the two elements can be joined together and create a continuity in the veining effect between the upper surface of the worktop and the visible outer surface of the side.

[0035] Incidentally, if the visible and therefore ground surface of the slab to be cut is the upper surface, then the two cuts performed must have the form of an overturned V so that the upper surface of the worktop and the outer surface of the side are the ground surfaces.

[0036] In the rare case where the visible surface is the bottom surface, and therefore the surface resting on the support bench, then the two cuts must form a V shape.

[0037] As mentioned above, it is required to maintain as far as possible the continuity of the veining between the upper surface of the worktop and the outer surface of the side; this continuity can only be obtained if the amount of material removed from the slabs is minimal.

[0038] In this connection, the inclined cuts along the edges are generally made using the nozzles since the cut made by means of a pressurized waterjet removes a small amount of material (about 1 mm), differently from the cut made using a cutting disc which removes decidedly more material (even up to 3-4 mm).

[0039] Furthermore, the thrust exerted by the cutting disc is decidedly greater than the thrust exerted by the pressurized waterjet so that, during the second 45° cut made on the already cut edge, considering the small width of the cut part and therefore the reduced weight of the latter, with the disc there would be the risk that the edge moves, therefore negatively affecting the quality of the cut.

[0040] For the abovementioned reasons, it is therefore known to use machines for performing cutting using a pressurized waterjet, combined if necessary with a cutting disc and provided with only one nozzle which can be inclined with respect to the vertical plane at an angle of up to about 45°.

[0041] Incidentally, these machines are also equipped with a sensor which detects the surface of the slab so as to suitably adjust the heightwise position of the nozzle and its inclination, so that the cut is always performed at 45° with respect to the slab.

[0042] A first drawback is that the technical solution described above is due to the fact that the methods which involve the formation of two cuts inclined at 45° along the edges are very time-consuming.

[0043] A further drawback consists in the fact that the cut part, which is thin and not heavy, could in any case move during execution of the second cut, resulting in the operator having to discard the part being machined.

[0044] The main object of the present invention is to provide a machine and a method for cutting slabs made of stone or ceramic or glass material, which are able to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. A particular task of the present invention is to provide a machine for cutting slabs made of stone or ceramic or glass material, which has substantially shorter machining times compared to the known machines.

[0045] A further task of the present invention is to provide a machine for cutting slabs made of stone or ceramic or glass material, which has a greater productivity compared to the machines known in the field and lower management costs.

[0046] Another task of the present invention is to provide a machine for cutting slabs of stone or ceramic or glass material which allows the second cut to be made such that the already cut part does move during the execution of the second cut.

[0047] A further task of the present invention is to provide a method for cutting slabs of stone or ceramic or glass material, which has a high productivity and is able to cut the slabs with a high degree of precision and eliminates the risk that the parts may move during the cutting operations.

[0048] The main tasks and object described above are achieved with a machine and a method for cutting slabs of stone or ceramic or glass material in accordance with Claim 1 and Claim 19, respectively.

[0049] In order to illustrate more clearly the innovative principles of the present invention and its advantages compared to the prior art, at least one example of embodiment of the machine for cutting slabs according to the present invention will be described below with the aid of the attached drawings.

[0050] In particular, in the figures:

[0051] - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the machine for cutting slabs according to the present invention in accordance with a first configuration; - Figure 2 is a perspective view, on a larger scale, of a detail of the cutting machine according to Figure 1 ;

[0052] - Figures 3 and 4 are, respectively, a front view and an enlarged view of a detail of the cutting machine according to Figure 1 in a predetermined operating position;

[0053] - Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of machined parts made with the cutting machine according to Figure 1 ;

[0054] - Figure 6 is perspective view of a detail of the first embodiment of the machine for cutting slabs according to the present invention in accordance with a second configuration;

[0055] - Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the machine for cutting slabs according to the present invention.

[0056] The present description, provided only by way of a non-limiting example of the scope of protection of the invention, relates to a machine and a method for cutting slabs of stone or ceramic or glass material, the cutting machine being denoted overall by the reference number 1 .

[0057] The slabs L to be cut may have different shapes and sizes and may be made also using materials different from those indicated above, provided that they have similar structural characteristics.

[0058] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the cutting machine 1 comprises preferably:

[0059] - a support bench 2 for the slabs L to be cut;

[0060] - a work unit 4 comprising a first nozzle 8A and a second nozzle 8B for cutting the slabs L by means of a high-pressure waterjet with abrasive along a cutting direction, the nozzles 8A, 8B being arranged one behind the other and being mounted on a support head 10; - first translation means 12 intended to displace the work unit 4 along the cutting direction;

[0061] - second translation means 14 intended to displace the work unit 4 along a vertical direction perpendicular to the support bench 2.

[0062] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cutting machine 1 , in particular the work unit 4, may comprise preferably, but not necessarily, also a cutting disc 6 also mounted on the support head 10 and designed to cut slabs along a respective cutting direction.

[0063] The cutting disc 6 lies in a vertical plane and the first nozzle 8A and the second nozzle 8B are positioned behind the cutting disc 6 along the cutting direction, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0064] Advantageously, the support bench 2 consists of a tank 3 and a metal grid 5, the latter being positioned over the top opening of the tank 3; a sacrificial surface is usually placed on top of the metal grid 5.

[0065] The tank 3 is intended to contain water for damping the high-pressure water jets emitted by the nozzles 8A and 8B; in this connection, the height of the water level inside the tank 3 is kept preferably at 70-90 cm from the bottom of the tank 3.

[0066] The metal grid 5, since it will be subject to the cutting action of the waterjet with abrasive passing through the slab L, is preferably interchangeable.

[0067] Furthermore, the metal grid 5 normally consists of a series of steel profiles arranged alongside each other and having normally a height of between 80 and 100 mm and thickness of between 4 and 6 mm.

[0068] In the case where the cutting disc 6 is being used, one or more sacrificial elements are arranged on top of the metal grid 5 and are designed to make contact with the bottom surface of the slab L to be cut and to undergo the action of the cutting disc 6 which penetrates into the slab L.

[0069] In a first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 -6, the first translation means 12 and the second translation means 14 are of the Cartesian type.

[0070] Said first translation means 12 preferably comprise a beam 13 mounted slidably at its ends on respective support structures or transverse shoulders 15 and a carriage 19 mounted slidably on the beam 13.

[0071] Conveniently, the first translation means 12 are configured to displace the work unit 4 along two directions parallel to the support bench 2 and perpendicular to each other, these two mutually perpendicular directions constituting alternately the direction of cutting of the disc 6 where present.

[0072] Alternatively, the first translation means 12 may displace the work unit 4 along different trajectories by means of interpolation of the two directions perpendicular to each other.

[0073] Furthermore, the second translation means 14 are configured to keep the first nozzle 8A and the second nozzle 8B in the operating position at a predetermined distance from the surface of the slab L to be cut during the cutting operations.

[0074] In particular, the second translation means 14 of the first embodiment may comprise a sleeve 20 mounted on the carriage 19 and intended to displace the work unit 4 along a vertical direction perpendicular to the support bench 2 and therefore the nozzles 8A and 8B as well as the cutting disc 6 where present from a raised non-operating position into a lowered operating position opposite the slab L to be cut. The support head 10 is mounted on the bottom end of the sleeve 20 and is rotatable relative to the sleeve 22 about a vertical axis Y, for example by means of a gearmotor mounted on the sleeve 20.

[0075] The rotation of the support head 10 about the vertical axis Y allows the cutting nozzles 8A, and therefore the cutting disc 6, to be oriented along the desired cutting direction.

[0076] Preferably, as shown more clearly in Figures 2, 3 and 6, the support head 10 is a bi-rotational fork head rotatable about the vertical axis of rotation Y (as described above with reference to the rotation of the work unit 4 relative to the sleeve 20) and about a first horizontal axis of rotation H1 .

[0077] In particular, such a support head 10 comprises a fork element 7 rotatably connected to the bottom end of the sleeve 20 and a support 9 which can be inclined relative to the fork element 7 about the first horizontal axis H1 .

[0078] In particular, the support 9 is designed to be inclined at an angle of at least 45° with respect to a vertical plane VV perpendicular to the support bench 2. The nozzles 8A and 8B, as well as the cutting disc 6 with protective cover and drive spindle, are mounted on the inclinable support 9.

[0079] In this way, the nozzles 8A and 8B and the cutting disc 6 may be moved from a first position in which they are perpendicular to the support bench 2 (see Figures 1 and 2) into a second position in which they are inclined with respect to the support bench 2 (see Figures 3, 4 and 6), and vice versa, following rotation of the inclinable support 9 about the first horizontal axis of rotation H1.

[0080] During operation, the rotation of the support head 10 with respect to the sleeve 20 about the vertical axis Y allows the cutting direction of the nozzles 8A and 8B and the cutting disc 6 to be varied, while the rotation of the inclinable support 9 about the first horizontal axis H1 allows the cutting angle to be varied.

[0081] In accordance with alternative embodiments, not shown in the attached figures, instead of the bi-rotational head it is possible to envisage a support head having a different configuration, for example a head rotating only about the vertical axis.

[0082] Advantageously, the support head 10 may also be provided with retractable suction cups (not shown in the attached figures) designed to pick up and move on the support bench 2 the cut pieces L2 of the slab L.

[0083] Moreover, the nozzles 8A and 8B are mounted, respectively, on a first body 16A and on a second body 16B, which are arranged in turn on the support head 10 and inside which the supply line or part of the supply line for the water with abrasive is formed.

[0084] The waterjet, to which the suitable abrasive is added, generally has a pressure at the outlet of the nozzles 8A, 8B equal to about 3000 - 6000 bar.

[0085] The cutting machine 1 further comprises movement means 22 configured to move the first nozzle 8A and the second nozzle 8B with respect to the support head 10 from a retracted or rest position into an extracted operating position, and vice versa, in order to perform cutting of the slabs by means of the emission of the high-pressure waterjet with abrasive.

[0086] In the rest position the nozzles 8A, 8B are kept raised at a height of about 2- 10 cm with respect to the slab L, while in the operating position the nozzles 8A, 8B are kept close to the slab L at a distance of about 1.5 - 3 mm.

[0087] Advantageously, the first nozzle 8A and the second nozzle 8B are mounted on a slide 24 moved by the movement means 22 which act directly on the slide 24, as shown in Figure 2.

[0088] Therefore, the nozzles 8A, 8B are moved simultaneously and in combination between the rest position and the operating position by means of the movement means 22 which act on the slide 24.

[0089] Conveniently, the cutting machine 1 also comprises first rotation means 25A configured to incline the first nozzle 8A at an angle of at least 45° with respect to the vertical plane VV.

[0090] In accordance with the present invention, it is envisaged providing second rotation means configured to incline the second nozzle 8B at an angle of at least 45° with respect to the vertical plane VV and on the symmetrically opposite side to the first nozzle 8A.

[0091] The first rotation means 25A and the second rotation means are configured to incline the first nozzle 8A and the second nozzle 8B so that the nozzles 8A, 8B assume a 90° configuration with respect to each other, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0092] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in this 90° arrangement, the first nozzle 8A is designed to perform a first cut T 1 inclined at an angle of about 45 ° on the slab L so as to obtain a cut piece L2 and the second nozzle 8B is designed to perform a second cut T2 inclined at about 45° and situated symmetrically opposite to the first cut T1 on the cut piece L2.

[0093] Advantageously, the second nozzle 8B is mounted integral with the inclinable support 9 of the head 10 and has a fixed inclination with respect to the support 9; therefore, in accordance with this configuration the second rotation means described above comprise the inclinable support 9 of the support head 10.

[0094] Moreover, the first rotation means 25A are configured to rotate the first nozzle 8A with respect to the support 9 about a second horizontal axis H2, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6.

[0095] Therefore, the first rotation means 25A cooperate with the inclinable support 9, namely with the second rotation means, in order to adjust the inclination of the first nozzle 8A.

[0096] In this way, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the inclinable support 9 is rotated through 45° about the first horizontal axis H1 in one direction of rotation and then the first nozzle 8A is rotated through 90° in the opposite direction about the second horizontal axis H2, the first nozzle 8A and the second nozzle 8B assume symmetrically opposite configurations relative to the vertical plane VV, being arranged at about 90° with respect to each other.

[0097] In particular, the second nozzle 8B is inclined at 45° with respect to the vertical plane VV on one side, while the first nozzle 8A is inclined at 45° with respect to the vertical plane VV on the opposite side.

[0098] The movement means 22 and the first rotation means 25A are mounted on the work unit 4, in particular on the support head 10, and may comprise for example actuators consisting of electric drives.

[0099] Therefore, these means perform the movements described above with reference to the first translation means 12, the second translation means 14 and the rotations of the support head 10.

[0100] In a manner known per se, the first translation means 12, the second translation means 14, the first movement means 22, the first rotation means 25A, the drives and the inclinable support 9 of the head 10 are connected to a control unit (not shown in the attached drawings) designed to regulate the operation thereof.

[0101] Regulation by the control unit also allows the first nozzle 8A and the second nozzle 8B to be activated simultaneously and at the same time, or asynchronously.

[0102] Figure 6 shows a second configuration of a detail of the first embodiment of the machine 1 in which the first translation means 12 and the second translation means 14 are of the Cartesian type, as described above.

[0103] In this second configuration the cutting disc 6 is absent and only the two nozzles 8A, 8B for supplying the pressurized waterjets with abrasive are present.

[0104] In accordance with a third configuration, not shown in the attached drawings, in which the cutting disc may or may not be present, the support 9 is fixed and is therefore not inclinable.

[0105] In this case, the second rotation means of the second nozzle 8B are independent from the support 9; the first nozzle 8A will incline therefore only by 45° with respect to the vertical plane VV on one side by means of the first rotation means 25A, while the second nozzle 8B will be inclined only at 45° with respect to the vertical plane VV on the opposite side by means of the second rotation means, the two nozzles 8A, 8B assuming in any case the final configuration shown in Figure 4.

[0106] Finally, in a second embodiment shown in Figure 7, the first and second translation means 12, 14 consist of an anthropomorphic robotic arm 21 for displacing the work unit 4 along at least the cutting direction.

[0107] In this case, the support head 10 is mounted on the terminal end of the arm 21 and is rotatable with respect thereto.

[0108] In this second embodiment two support benches 2A, 2B with respective tanks 3A, 3B and metal grids 5A, 5B may also be used in order to increase the productivity of the machine.

[0109] As already mentioned, the present invention also relates to a method for cutting slabs L of stone or ceramic or glass material, which uses advantageously the cutting machine 1 described above.

[0110] The cutting method comprises preferably the following steps: i) positioning the slab L on a support bench 2; ii) making a first cut T1 in the slab L, inclined at an angle of at least 45° with respect to the vertical plane VV, by means of the first nozzle 8A in order to obtain a main piece L1 and a cut piece L2; iii) making, by means of the second nozzle 8B, a second cut T2 on the slab L inclined at an angle of at least 45° with respect to the vertical plane VV and situated symmetrically opposite the first cut T1 .

[0111] The formation of the first cut T1 and the second cut T2 produces waste material L3, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0112] Step iii) may be performed at the same time as step ii) and the second cut T2 is made on the cut piece L2 of the slab. Alternatively, step iii) may also be performed with a slight delay in relation to step ii).

[0113] As already mentioned with reference to the cutting machine 1 , the upper surface of the support bench 2 is formed by a metal grid 5, step i) of the method being performed by positioning the slab L with its bottom surface directly in contact with the metal grid 5.

[0114] After obtaining the main piece L1 and the cut piece L2 with the cuts at an angle of about 45°, it is possible during installation to arrange them at 90° with respect to each other and fix them, for example by means of gluing.

[0115] In this way, it is possible for example to construct a kitchen worktop with L- shaped edges, namely a worktop with a cut a 45° joined to an edge or side, i.e. a so-called “skirting”, also with a cut at 45°, such that the kitchen worktop appears to be thicker than that which it actually is.

[0116] Incidentally, the visible and therefore ground surface of the slab is the upper surface so that the two cuts performed must have the form of an overturned V (as shown in Figures 4 and 5) so that the upper surface of the worktop and the outer surface of the side are the ground surfaces.

[0117] If instead the visible face is the bottom surface, then the two cuts must form a V so that in this case the two nozzles 8A, 8B should be arranged at a greater distance from each other.

[0118] From the above description it is now clear how the machine and the method for cutting slabs according to the present invention are able to achieve advantageously the predefined objects.

[0119] In particular, the provision of two nozzles which may be inclined at an angle of at least 45° with respect to a vertical plane on opposite sides, and therefore symmetrically opposite to each other, enables with a single movement of the support head two 45° cuts to be made in the slab, resulting in a so-called “miter cut”, thereby increasing substantially the productivity of the machine.

[0120] Moreover, considering that the pieces are separated from each other only after both the 45° cuts have been completely made, the risk that the smaller piece already cut may move owing to the thrust exerted by the pressurized waterjet is eliminated, thereby ensuring a reliable and precise cut. Obviously, the above description of embodiments applying the innovative principles of the present invention is provided by way of example of these innovative principles and must therefore not be regarded as limiting the scope of the rights claimed herein.

Claims

Claims1. Machine (1 ) for cutting slabs (L) made of stone or ceramic or glass material, comprising:- a support bench (2) for the slabs (L) to be cut;- a work unit (4) comprising a first nozzle (8A) for cutting the slabs (L) by means of a high-pressure waterjet with abrasive along a cutting direction, said first nozzle (8A) being mounted on a support head (10);- first translation means (12) and second translation means (14) intended to displace the work unit (4) respectively along the cutting direction and along a vertical direction perpendicular to the support bench (2);- movement means (22) configured to move said first nozzle (8A) with respect to said support head (10) from a retracted or rest position into an extracted operating position, and vice versa;- first rotation means (25A) configured to incline said first nozzle (8A) at an angle of at least 45° with respect to a vertical plane (VV); characterized in that said work unit (4) comprises a second nozzle (8B) for cutting the slabs (L) by means of a high-pressure waterjet with abrasive mounted on said support head (10), said nozzles (8A, 8B) being arranged one behind the other and there being provided second rotation means configured to incline said second nozzle (8B) at an angle of at least 45° with respect to the vertical plane (VV) and on the symmetrically opposite side to said first nozzle (8A).

2. Machine (1 ) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said first rotation means (25A) and said second rotation means are configured to incline respectively said first nozzle (8A) and said second nozzle (8B) so thatthe latter are arranged at 90° with respect to each other.

3. Machine (1 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, in the 90° arrangement, said first nozzle (8A) is designed to perform a first cut (T1) inclined at an angle of about 45° on a slab (L) so as to obtain a cut piece (L2) and said second nozzle (8B) is designed to perform on the cut piece (L2) a second cut (T2) inclined at an angle of about 45° and situated symmetrically opposite to the first cut (T 1 ).

4. Machine (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support head (10) comprises a support (9) rotatable about a first horizontal axis (H1 ) and designed to be inclined at an angle of at least 45° with respect to the vertical plane (VV), said first nozzle (8A) and said second nozzle (8B) being mounted on said rotatable support (9).

5. Machine (1 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said second nozzle (8B) is mounted integral with said support (9) and with a fixed inclination with respect to said support (9), said second rotation means comprising said rotatable support (9).

6. Machine (1 ) according to either one of Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said first rotation means (25A) are configured to rotate said first nozzle (8A) with respect to said support (9) about a second horizontal axis (H2), such that, when the rotatable support (9) is rotated about the first horizontal axis (H1 ) through an angle of about 45° in one direction of rotation and the first nozzle (8A) is rotated through an angle of about 90° about the second horizontal axis (H2) in the opposite direction, the first nozzle (8A) and the second nozzle (8B) assume configurations symmetrically opposite to each other relative to the vertical plane (VV) and are arranged at 90° with respectto each other.

7. Machine (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movement means (22) are configured to move said second nozzle (8B) with respect to said support head (10) from a retracted or rest position into an extracted operating position, and vice versa.

8. Machine (1 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first nozzle (8A) and said second nozzle (8B) are mounted on a slide (24) moved by said movement means (22).

9. Machine (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movement means (22) and said first rotation means (25A) comprise actuators consisting of electric drives.

10. Machine (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support bench (2) consists of a tank (3) intended to contain water and a metal grid (5) positioned over the top opening of said tank (3), said metal grid (5) being intended to come directly into contact with the bottom surface of the slabs (L) to be cut.

11. Machine (1 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said metal grid (5) is provided with one or more sacrificial elements intended to come directly into contact with the bottom surface of the slabs (L) to be cut.

12. Machine (1 ) according to Claim 4, characterized in that said support head (10) is a bi-rotational fork head rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation (Y) and the first horizontal axis of rotation (H1 ).

13. Machine (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized on that the second translation means (14) are configured to keep said first nozzle (8A) and said second nozzle (8B) in the operatingposition at a predetermined distance from the surface of the slab (L) to be cut during the cutting operation.

14. Machine (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first translation means (12) comprise a beam (13) mounted slidably at its ends on respective support structures or transverse shoulders (15) and a carriage (19) mounted slidably along said beam (13), said second translation means (14) comprising a sleeve (20) mounted on said carriage (19) and intended to displace said work unit (4) along the vertical direction perpendicular to the support bench (2).

15. Machine (1 ) according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said first translation means (12) and said second translation means (14) consist of an anthropomorphic robotic arm (21 ) for displacing the work unit (4) along at least the cutting direction and along the vertical direction.

16. Machine (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine comprises a cutting disc (6) mounted on said support head (10) and designed to cut the slabs (L) along a cutting direction.

17. Machine (1 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first nozzle (8A) and said second nozzle (8B) are positioned behind said cutting disc (6) along the cutting direction.

18. Machine (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support head (10) is provided with retractable suction cups designed to pick up and move the cut pieces (L2) of the slab placed on said support bench (2) and obtained by means of cutting with said first nozzle (8A) and said second nozzle (8B) and / or with said cutting disc (6).

19. Method for cutting slabs (L) made of stone or ceramic or glass material by means of a cutting machine (1 ) according to any one of Claims 1 - 18, the method comprising the following steps: i) positioning a slab (L) to be cut on a support bench (2); ii) making a first cut (T1 ) in the slab (L) inclined at angle of at least 45° with respect to the vertical plane (VV) by means of a first nozzle (8A) so as to obtain a main piece (L1 ) and a cut piece (L2); characterized in that the method comprises a step iii) of making by means of a second nozzle (8B) a second cut (T2) on the slab (L) inclined at an angle of at least 45° with respect to the vertical plane (VV) and situated symmetrically opposite to the first cut (T 1 ).

20. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said step iii) is performed at the same time as said step ii), said second cut (T2) being performed on said cut piece (L2) of the slab (L).

21. Method according to either one of Claims 19 and 20, characterized in that, before step ii), a precut is made using a cutting disc (6).

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