Grinding Machine Front-Side Square Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grinding machines for sheet-like elements, such as tiles and slabs, are complex and require frequent adjustments for square positioning, leading to productivity limitations and increased maintenance, as they typically need to adjust abutment elements at the rear side before the front side reaches machining means, resulting in heavy and complex support structures.
Innovation Solution
The grinding machine employs abutment elements that contact and position the front side of the sheet-like elements orthogonally to the advancement direction, using brush-less motors for independent actuation, allowing simultaneous square positioning of multiple elements and reducing the need for rear-side adjustments, thus simplifying the machine's structure and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional square positioning means with rear-side abutment elements are used, then positioning function is achieved, but machine structure becomes heavy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by positioning abutment elements at the front side of the sheet-like element instead of the rear side. This allows the abutment elements to contact and position the leading edge as it enters the machining zone, eliminating the need for complex rear-side positioning mechanisms and their heavy support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary support structure for rear-side abutment elements. By removing the rear-side positioning function and replacing it with front-side positioning, the complex support framework required for rear-side elements is completely taken out of the system, simplifying the overall machine structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequent adjustments of abutment elements are made for different tile formats, then adaptability is improved, but machine downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic positioning systems that can adapt to different tile formats without manual intervention. The front-side abutment elements are positioned to automatically contact the leading edge of each tile, and the system self-adjusts based on tile dimensions, eliminating the need for operators to manually adjust abutment elements for each format change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the abutment elements at optimal locations before tile processing begins. The system is configured in advance to handle various tile formats, and quick-adjustment mechanisms are pre-set to enable rapid format changes without extensive downtime.
3Reliability
If abutment elements are positioned at the rear side before front side reaches machining means, then positioning is achieved, but processing speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the timing and location of positioning action by moving abutment elements to the front side where they contact the leading edge as it enters the machining zone. This eliminates the waiting time required for rear-side positioning and allows immediate processing of the tile front side, significantly increasing processing speed while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The machine for grinding sheet-like elements, particularly tiles and slabs made of ceramic material, natural stone, glass or the like, includes a base framework, means for advancing at least one sheet-like element on a movement plane (A) along an advancement direction (B), the sheet-like element being provided with a pair of opposite first sides to be ground and a front side transversal to the first sides and defining the advancement front of the sheet-like element, means for machining the first sides adapted to intercept the sheet-like element in the motion thereof along the advancement direction (B), means for square-positioning the sheet-like element on the movement plane (A) comprising at least one abutment element which defines at least two support points adapted to contact the front side for arranging it in a position orthogonal to the advancement direction (B).