Cutting machine provided with a suction system

Abstract

A cutting machine (100) for cutting slabs of stone material, comprises at least one cutting head (1) supporting at least one cutting tool (10) suitable for cutting pieces (201 ) from a slab (200) of stone material; a driving system (300) connected to the cutting head (1) to move the cutting head (1), and a support and suction system (A) arranged under said cutting head (1) to support said slab (200) during cutting.

Description

[0001] CUTTING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH A SUCTION SYSTEM

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention refers to the cutting of stone materials and in particular to a cutting machine (either a single or multi-disc cutting machine) provided with a suction system.

[0004] Cutting machines with a diamond disc are known to cut slabs of stone materials, such as stone, marble and the like. The diamond disc is mounted on a rotating cutting head which is mounted on a multi-axis portal in such a way to move in different directions in order to cut a slab positioned on a cutting table of the machine.

[0005] The cutting machines provided with a diamond disc are impaired by a drawback because they are not able to cut very small pieces because of the very high probability that the pieces will move when they are completely separated from the slab. Furthermore, there is a risk that the pieces will break just before being completely separated from the slab.

[0006] In order to solve these problems, water jet cutting machines are generally used to cut small pieces from a slab. However, water jet cutting machines are much slower than machines with a diamond disk. Therefore, water jet machines have a low productivity compared to machines with a diamond disc.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a cutting machine with a suction system that is able to cut small pieces in an efficient way.

[0008] Another purpose is to provide such a cutting machine with a suction system that is practical, versatile and easy to use.

[0009] These objectives are achieved in accordance with the invention with the characteristics of the attached independent claim 1.Advantageous embodiments of the invention appear from the dependent claims.

[0010] Further characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description, which refers to a merely illustrative and therefore non-limiting embodiment thereof, illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein:

[0011] Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a cutting machine with a suction system according to the invention;

[0012] Fig. 2 is a perspective top view of a suction table of the suction system of the machine in Fig. 1 ;

[0013] Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of the suction table of Fig. 2;

[0014] Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the detail of Fig. 3 with a gasket;

[0015] Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the section plane V-V of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a top view of a suction plate of the suction system of the machine of Fig. 1 ;

[0016] Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the section plane VII-VII of Fig. 6; and

[0017] Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the section plane VIII-VIII of Fig.

[0018] 6.

[0019] With the aid of the Figures, the cutting machine according to the invention, which is comprehensively indicated with reference numeral 100, is described.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 1, the cutting machine (100) comprises at least one cutting head (1) supporting at least one cutting tool (10), such as a diamond disc, which is capable of cutting a slab (200) of stone material to obtain small pieces (201).

[0021] The cutting head (1) is operated by a driving system (300) so that the cutting tool (10) or tools, such as one or more cutting discs, can be disposed in different positions to cut out the pieces (201) from the slab (200).By way of example, the driving system (300) can be of portal or gantry type. In such a case the driving system (300) comprises:

[0022] - a central support (301) slidingly mounted to slide on a longitudinal beam (302), so that the central support (301) translates along a first horizontal axis (X), and

[0023] two cross members (303) supporting the longitudinal beam (302) in such a way that the longitudinal beam (302) translates along a second horizontal axis (Y) orthogonal to the first horizontal axis (X).

[0024] The cutting head (1) is rotatably supported by the central support (301) in such a way to rotate about a vertical axis (Z) orthogonal to the first horizontal axis (X) and to the second horizontal axis (Y).

[0025] The cutting machine (100) comprises a support and suction system (A) suitable for supporting the slab (200) during cutting.

[0026] The support and suction system (A) is mounted on a base (B) (either a fixed or a mobile base) of the machine in such a way to be arranged under the cutting head (1).

[0027] The support and suction system (A) comprises:

[0028] - a suction table (2) whereon the slab (200) to be cut is positioned, - a suction plate (3) arranged under the suction table (2), and

[0029] - at least one suction pump (6) connected to the suction plate (3). With reference to Figs. 2-5, the suction table (2) has the shape of a plate comprising a plurality of intersecting grooves (20), so as to define a plurality of support portions (21) suitable for supporting the pieces (201) that are cutout from the slab of stone material.

[0030] Each support portion (21) is surrounded by the grooves (20) of the suction table. The grooves (20) of the suction table are arranged in correspondence with the cutting lines that are to be followed by the cutting tool (10) in order to cut the slab (200). Therefore, each support portion (21) has a shape equal to the shape of the piece (201) to be cut.In the example shown in the Figures, the support portions (21) of the suction table have a triangular shape. In such a case the grooves (20) of the suction table are oriented according to rows, columns and diagonals.

[0031] Each support portion (21) of the suction table has a recessed seat (22) disposed in a central part of the support portion. A through hole (23) is provided in the recessed seat (22) of each support portion.

[0032] Advantageously, the through holes (23) of the recessed seats (22) are arranged along straight lines (R) parallel to each other. In the example of Fig.

[0033] 2, eight straight lines (R) are shown, extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0034] By way of example, the Figures show support portions (21) with a triangular shape and recessed seats (22) with a triangular shape, it being understood that the recessed seat (22) may have any other shape.

[0035] In the case where the recessed seats (22) have a triangular shape, the through holes (23) are arranged near a corner of the recessed seat; it being understood that the recessed seats may have a circular shape and the through holes may be arranged in the center of the recessed seats.

[0036] On each support portion (21) there is an annular seat (24) arranged around the recessed seat (22). The annular seat (24) houses a gasket (5), such as an O-ring. An upper part of the gasket (5) protrudes from the support portion (21 ) in such a way to be compressed by the slab (200) or by the piece (201) of the slab.

[0037] With reference to Figs. 6-8, the suction plate (3) comprises a plurality of suction channels (30) that are open at the top to communicate with the through holes (23) of the suction table. The suction channels (30) have the shape of grooves that extend longitudinally, parallel to each other.

[0038] In the example shown in the Figures, eight suction channels are arranged under the eight lines (R) along which the through holes (23) of the suction table are located.The suction channels (30) are connected to a manifold conduit (31) obtained in the suction plate. The manifold conduit (31) can have the shape of a groove that extends transversally and communicates with all the suction channels (30).

[0039] The manifold conduit (31) is connected by means of a tube (32) to the suction pump (6) that is suitable for sucking in the air. In this way the air is sucked into the suction channels (30) of the suction plate and into the through holes (23) of the suction table, creating vacuum in the recessed seats (22) of the suction table.

[0040] A reset conduit (33) communicates with the environment and with the manifold conduit (31). A valve (7) is disposed in the reset conduit (33) to open or close the reset conduit (33).

[0041] The operation of the cutting machine (100) is illustrated hereinafter. The slab (200) to be cut is placed on the suction table (2) of the support and suction system (A). The valve (7) of the reset conduit (33) is closed and the suction pump (6) is activated to create vacuum in the recessed seats (22) of the suction table. The vacuum in the recessed seats (22) of the suction plate pushes the slab (200) downwards, so that the slab (200) compresses the gaskets (5) and adheres firmly to the suction table (2). The gaskets (5) contribute to provide an airtight seal in the respective recessed seat (22) to maintain vacuum during the cutting operation.

[0042] Now the diamond disc of the cutting tool (10) is driven into rotation and the driving system (300) moves the cutting head (1) so that the diamond disc of the cutting tool (10) makes the pre-established cuts of the slab (200) to obtain the pieces (201).

[0043] It should be noted that the diamond disc makes the cuts exactly in correspondence with the grooves (20) of the suction table; therefore the diamond disc does not come into contact with the suction table (2), thusavoiding damage to the diamond disc of the cutting tool (10) and to the suction table (2).

[0044] Furthermore, the slab (200) is firmly held in place by the support and suction system (A), and therefore extremely precise cutting can be achieved also in case of very small pieces (201).

[0045] As a result, a plurality of pieces (201) cut from the slab (200) is obtained. Each piece (201) is disposed on a respective support portion (21) of the suction table and is firmly held on the support portion (21) thanks to the vacuum that is present in the recessed seat (22) of the support portion.

[0046] The fact that each individual piece (201) is firmly held in place on its support portion (21) of the suction table allows to cut very small pieces (201), preventing the pieces from being damaged during cutting or handling.

[0047] Once all the pieces (201) of the slab have been cut, the valve (7) is opened so that air from the environment enters from the reset conduit (33), eliminating the vacuum in the recessed seat (22) and restoring the atmospheric pressure, so that the pieces (201) can be removed from the suction table.

[0048] Equivalent variations and modifications may be made in the present embodiment of the invention by an expert of the field, which still fall within the scope of the present invention as expressed by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Cutting machine (100) for cutting slabs of stone material, comprising: - at least one cutting head (1) supporting at least one cutting tool (10) suitable for cutting pieces (201) from a slab (200) of stone material;- a driving system (300) connected to the cutting head (1) to move the cutting head (1); and- a support and suction system (A) arranged under said cutting head (1) to support said slab (200) during cutting,characterized by the fact thatsaid support and suction system (A) comprises: a suction table (2) whereon the slab (200) to be cut is positioned, a suction plate (3) arranged under the suction table, and at least one suction pump (6) connected to said suction plate (3);wherein said suction table (2) comprises a plurality of grooves (20) intersecting with each other so as to define a plurality of support portions (21) suitable for supporting the pieces (201) cut from the slab of stone material; each support portion (21) of the suction table having a recessed seat (22) and a through hole (23) in the recessed seat (22);wherein said suction plate (3) comprises a plurality of suction channels (30) open at the top and arranged so as to communicate with said through holes (23) of the suction table and a manifold conduit (31 ) communicating with said suction channels (30) and said suction pump (6) so as to generate vacuum in said recessed seats (22) of the suction table.

2. The cutting machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein said grooves (20) of the suction table are disposed in correspondence with cutting lines to be followed by the cutting tool (10) to cut the slab (200), and said support portions (21) of the suction table have a shape equal to that of the pieces (201) to be cut.

3. The cutting machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said recessed seat (22) is disposed in the center of the support portion (21) of the suction table.

4. The cutting machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said through holes (23) of the suction table are arranged along straight lines (R) parallel to each other, and said suction channels (30) of the suction plate are disposed in correspondence with said straight lines (R) wherein the through holes (23) of the suction table are provided.

5. The cutting machine (100) according to claim 4, wherein said suction channels (30) are disposed along longitudinal rows and said manifold conduit (31) is disposed along a transverse row of the suction plate.

6. The cutting machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said suction channels (30) are in the form of grooves provided in said suction plate (3).

7. The cutting machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each support portion (21) of the suction table has an annular seat (24) disposed around the recessed seat (22) and a gasket (5) housed in said annular seat (24).

8. The cutting machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support and suction system (A) comprises a reset conduit (33) communicating with the environment and with said manifold conduit (31) and a valve (7) disposed in said reset conduit in order to reset an ambient pressure in said recessed seats (22) of the suction table.

9. The cutting machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cutting tool (10) is a diamond disc.

10. The cutting machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said driving system (300) is of portal or gantry type, comprising:- a central support (301 ) slidingly mounted on a longitudinal beam (302)in such a way that the central support (301) translates along a first horizontal axis (X), and- two cross members (303) slidingly supporting the longitudinal beam (302) in such a way that the longitudinal beam (302) translates along a second horizontal axis (Y) orthogonal to the first horizontal axis (X);wherein said cutting head (1) is rotatably supported by the central support (301) in such a way to rotate about a vertical axis (Z) orthogonal to the first horizontal axis (X) and to the second horizontal axis (Y).

11. Support and suction system (A) for a cutting machine (100) suitable for supporting a slab (200) during cutting; said support and suction system (A) comprising:- a suction table (2) whereon the slab (200) to be cut is positioned, - a suction plate (3) arranged under the suction table, and- a suction pump (6) connected to said suction plate (3);wherein said suction table (2) comprises a plurality of grooves (20) intersecting with each other so as to define a plurality of support portions (21) suitable for supporting the pieces (201) cut from the slab of stone material; each support portion (21) of the suction table having a recessed seat (22) and a through hole (23) in the recessed seat (22); and wherein said suction plate (3) comprises a plurality of suction channels (30) that are open at the top and arranged in such a way to communicate with said through holes (23) of the suction table and a manifold conduit (31) communicating with said suction channels (30) and said suction pump (6) so as to generate vacuum in said recessed seats (22) of the suction table.

Images