Modular Stone Machining Tool Stepwise Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools for processing stone materials are inefficient, requiring manual handling and transfer between stations, leading to long processing times, high skill requirements, and a risk of waste or non-conforming products due to the lack of automated slab transfer and simultaneous multi-process capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A modular machine tool system with a support surface that moves stepwise along a longitudinal direction, allowing products to be processed in adjacent working areas without manual transfer, featuring toolholder heads that perform specific processes and automatic movement between stations, reducing the need for manual intervention and enhancing precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple independent workstations are provided for simultaneous stone-working processes, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple separate stations and manual transfer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent workstations into a single integrated machine by providing a single support table that can be divided into multiple working areas, with toolholder heads that can move between these areas, eliminating the need for separate stations and manual transfers while maintaining simultaneous processing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The toolholder heads are designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing different stone-working processes (drilling, scratching, polishing, honing, brushing, calibrating) at different working areas, allowing a single device to replace multiple specialized stations
2Ease of manufacture
If manual handling and transfer of slabs between stations is required, then ease of manufacture is improved, but loss of time increases due to manual intervention and repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The machine performs self-service through automated functions including the support table's ability to be divided and reconfigured, toolholder heads that automatically move between working areas, and centralized control that manages the entire processing sequence without manual intervention, thereby eliminating time losses associated with manual handling
3Manufacturing precision
If distinct stone-working processes are performed on the entire length of the block, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to repeated manual transfer and recentering operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by allowing the support table to remain in a fixed position throughout the entire processing sequence, with toolholder heads moving automatically between working areas to perform multiple processes continuously on the same block without interruption or repositioning, thereby maintaining precision while eliminating time losses
4Manufacturing precision
If high-precision processing is required within predetermined tolerances, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to high skill requirements for manual transfer and head centering
Solution Approach 1:
The machine incorporates feedback through centralized control that automatically manages the positions of the support table and toolholder heads, monitoring and adjusting their locations to maintain predetermined tolerances throughout the processing sequence, thereby achieving high precision while eliminating the need for operator skill in manual positioning and centering
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine tool (1) for processing products (P) made of stone or stone-like materials, comprising a support surface (2) which extends along a first longitudinal direction (L), a plurality of processing modules (3), each comprising a toolholder head (4) designed to perform a processing step, and a corresponding working area (5) of the support surface (2), the modules (3) being arranged in space in adjacent and equally spaced positions with a predetermined pitch (s) along the first longitudinal direction (L). The support surface (2) is adapted to move stepwise along the direction (L) with steps of magnitude (w) equal to the pitch (s) to bring the products (P) situated in each working area (5) of each module (3) to the adjacent working area (5) of the next module (3) at the end of the corresponding processing step. A modular system (32) for processing products (P) made of stone materials.