Stone Slab Grinding Machine Orbital Spindle Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for grinding and polishing stone slabs face challenges in achieving uniformity of surface finish due to brief pauses in spindle movement, leading to visible shadow zones, particularly on dark materials, and have complex designs that increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A grinding and polishing machine with a support bench, bridge-like structures, and a beam with vertically sliding spindles that oscillate about a separate axis, allowing for coordinated transverse and longitudinal movements to prevent spindle pauses and ensure uniform surface processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the spindle-carrying beam performs reciprocating movement in transverse direction, then the slabs can be ground over their entire width, but brief pauses occur during reversal causing visible shadow zones and non-uniform surface finish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a simple reciprocating movement to a more complex orbital movement pattern. The spindles are mounted on a structure that rotates about a vertical axis, creating an orbital trajectory that eliminates pause points during reversal. This dynamic movement pattern ensures continuous contact with the slab surface, preventing shadow zones while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dimensionality change by adding a rotational dimension to the traditional linear reciprocating movement. Instead of moving only in one transverse direction and reversing, the spindle-carrying structure rotates about a vertical axis, creating a two-dimensional orbital path. This additional dimensional movement eliminates the pause problem inherent in linear reciprocating systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex machine designs are used to eliminate shadow zones through multiple movements, then surface uniformity improves, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining the transverse reciprocating movement with a rotational movement about a vertical axis into a single integrated orbital motion system. Rather than using separate mechanisms for different movements, the invention merges them into one coordinated system where the spindles naturally trace orbital paths, achieving uniform surface finish without excessive mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The orbital movement structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides transverse coverage across the slab width, eliminates pause points during reversal, and creates a uniform grinding pattern. This multi-functional design achieves superior surface uniformity without requiring separate dedicated mechanisms for each function.
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
The machine achieves a significant reduction in grinding defects and shadow effects while maintaining a simpler structure, ensuring uniform surface finish without complex mechanical designs, even on difficult materials like dark stone.
Implementation Method 1
The tools used are made using hard granular materials such as normally silicon carbide or diamond... the abrasive granules usually are not used loose, but agglomerated so as to form an abrasive tool by means of a binding agent
Implementation Method 2
The spindle is slidable vertically and imparts to the tools resting on the surface of the material a pressure which may be of a mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic nature; a pneumatic pressure is by far favoured
Data Source
AI summary
A grinding and/or polishing machine (10) for slabs of stone material, such as natural or agglomerated stone, ceramic or glass, comprises a support bench (12) for the slabs to be machined and at least one machining station (14) with a pair of bridge-like support structures (16, 18) arranged opposite each other with, above, a beam supporting a plurality of machining spindles (26). First relative movement means (19) move the slab in a longitudinal direction with respect to the machining station (14), while the beam moves transversely with respect to its length by means of second movement means (21). Each spindle is supported on the beam so that it can be swivelled by associated movement means (34, 35, 40, 50, 60) about an oscillation axis (33) which is parallel to, but separate from the motorized vertical axis (32) of the spindle. The spindles thus oscillate about the respective oscillation axes (33) in cooperation with the longitudinal and transverse movements, respectively, of the first and second movement means (19 and 21) so as to polish and/or grind the surface of a slab on the support bench.


