Dry Decoration Machine for Ceramic Tiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing ceramic tiles with veining effects that extend throughout the thickness of the slabs are not feasible, resulting in undecorated lateral surfaces that differ from the decorated surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a support element featuring cavities for powder material deposition and an unloading device that allows for precise control and layering of decorations, enabling the creation of veining effects that extend through the entire thickness of ceramic tiles by depositing powder material in a controlled manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional surface decoration methods are used, then the decoration can be applied to the tile surface, but the decoration does not extend through the entire thickness and lateral surfaces remain undecorated
Solution Approach 1:
The decoration process is segmented into multiple sequential layers, with each layer deposited to a controlled depth. The support element with cavities is segmented into multiple zones that correspond to different decoration layers, allowing each layer to be deposited independently and then pressed into the ceramic material to achieve full thickness penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional surface decoration to three-dimensional volumetric decoration by depositing multiple layers at different depths and pressing them through the entire thickness of the ceramic tile, enabling veining effects that extend from front to back surfaces.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple layers of decoration are deposited to achieve full thickness coverage, then veining effects extend throughout the slab, but the process complexity and device requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support element with cavities serves multiple functions: it holds different colored powder materials for different decoration layers, provides the pressing surface that transfers decoration to the ceramic material, and acts as the mold for shaping the ceramic tile. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices for each operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element with cavities is inserted into the ceramic material during the pressing operation, with the cavities nested within the ceramic matrix. This nesting allows the support element to simultaneously hold multiple decoration layers and transfer them to the ceramic material in a single integrated operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the production of ceramic tiles with decorations that extend throughout the entire thickness, offering precise control over decoration position and conformation, and allowing for the creation of continuous veining effects on both surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the cavities (11) has an opening that enables the entry of the powder material and a subsequent unloading of the powder material that was previously introduced
Implementation Method 2
using the dry technology it is possible to press the decoration slightly into the base layer
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for dry decoration of ceramic slabs or tiles, comprising: a support element (10), provided with a plurality of cavities (11) with a pre-established shape; a dispensing device (20), configured to deposit a pre-fixed amount of powder material inside one or more pre-established cavities (11); an unloading device (30), configured to move the cavities (11) from a loading position, in which they can receive the powder material from the dispensing device (20), to an unloading position, in which they can unload the powder material.