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Title:
MACHINE FOR CUTTING AND DRILLING BLOCKS OF NATURAL STONE MATERIAL WITH A DIAMOND WIRE AND A DRILLING DEVICE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2017/137897
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A diamond-wire machine (12) for the shaped cutting of blocks or slabs of stone material comprises: two columns (14, 16), a carriage (22, 24) movable along each column (14, 16). Each carriage is provided with at least one pulley (222, 224; 242, 244). At least one carriage is provided with a wire -guide device (26, 28) adapted to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The machine (12) further comprises a drilling device (30) for forming through-holes in the block or slab of stone material, wherein the drilling device (30) is integral with a wire -guide device (26, 28).

Inventors:
TONCELLI DARIO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2017/050673
Publication Date:
August 17, 2017
Filing Date:
February 08, 2017
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
TONCELLI DARIO (IT)
International Classes:
B23D57/00; B28D1/00; B28D1/08; B28D1/14
Domestic Patent References:
WO2015198281A12015-12-30
WO2008130304A12008-10-30
Foreign References:
JP2001096527A2001-04-10
DE9001537U11990-04-19
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
DRAGOTTI, Gianfranco et al. (IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. Diamond wire machine (12) for the shaped cutting of blocks or slabs of stone material, comprising: two columns (14, 16), at least one carriage (22, 24) movable along each column (14, 16), each carriage being provided with at least one pulley (222, 224; 242, 244); at least one carriage being provided with a wire -guide device (26, 28) adapted to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction; said machine (12) also comprising at least one drilling device (30) for the formation of through-holes in said block or slab of stone material;

characterized in that

said drilling device (30) is integral with said wire -guide device (26, 28) so as to be able to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

2. Machine (12) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises two wire -guide devices (26, 28), i.e. one for each carriage (22, 24).

3. Machine (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wire -guide device comprises:

a tiltable support (285) adapted to be inclined with respect to the carriage (24) so as to incline the wire -guide device with respect to the horizontal,

a translatable structure (284) movable with respect to the tiltable support and provided with means for guiding and movement in the direction of the cutting wire; and

and a rotating support (283) provided with oppositely arranged rollers (281, 282) provided at the end of said translatable structure (284).

4. Machine (12) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said drilling device (30) is integral with said translatable structure (284).

5. Machine (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drilling device (30) comprises an actuator (302) for the displacement of a drilling tool (301).

6. Machine (12) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said actuator (302) comprises:

a pneumatic cylinder (303) fixed to the translatable structure (284) in turn fixed to the tiltable support (285);

a cylindrical piston (305) within which a drive shaft (306) is provided, said drive shaft having a first end (308) connected to motor means (309) and a second end (310) provided with a tool-holder fixture (32) .

7. Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a transmission joint (33) between the ends of the drive shaft and spindle with tool-holder fixture (32), said spindle having an axial bore connected to a duct (34) for the passage of coolant to a hollow perforated drilling bit.

8. Machine according to either one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that two anti- rotation rods (36, 38) are fixed to the cylindrical piston (305) and are engaged inside respective guide bushes which are housed in the collar (40) and fixed to the pneumatic cylinder (303).

9. Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said actuator (302) comprises a screw and nut mechanism (42).

10. Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said screw and nut mechanism (42) comprises a rod (44) which is provided at one end with the drilling bit (301) and at the opposite end is provided with a plate (46) having a screw (48) which engages inside a threaded seat provided on the translatable structure of the wire -guide device, said screw being adapted to be rotated by means of a gear motor (54).

Description:
MACHINE FOR CUTTING AND DRILLING BLOCKS OF NATURAL STONE MATERIAL WITH A

DIAMOND WIRE AND A DRILLING DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a machine for cutting blocks of natural stone material with diamond wire.

In particular, the present invention relates to a diamond-wire machine for the shaped cutting of blocks of stone material such as granite and marble for the building sector, funeral art, sculpture and similar sectors.

In order to perform the shaped cutting of a block of stone material with a diamond wire single-wire machines are normally used.

These machines are single-wire frames with a moving carriage which may be provided with a rotating platform and are managed by a programmable control unit designed to control the movements of the so-called machine axes. By means of this type of machine it is possible to obtain complex three-dimensional articles from a block of stone material.

The main structure of the machine is normally formed by two side support columns connected at their top end by a stiffening cross-beam and optionally also by a stiffening cross-beam situated at an intermediate height.

According to a first type of machine, a carriage travels along each column. Each carriage travels along the columns by means of prismatic guides mounted on the columns and roller wheels mounted on the carriage.

Each carriage is provided with a pulley having a large diameter (150-230 cm), and a diamond wire for cutting the stone material is wound between the two pulleys of the two carriages. The diamond wire used for cutting is a component known per se to the person skilled in the art and therefore will not be further described.

The machine is also provided with a block-support carriage on which the block to be cut is placed. The block-support carriage is formed by a framework with wheels which travels along guides arranged transversely with respect to the vertical plane containing the columns. The framework has, positioned thereon, a support surface for the block to be cut, which may be rotated if necessary about a vertical axis by means of a swivel plate.

The block-support carriage therefore has the function of moving the block along a horizontal translation axis perpendicular to the plane containing the two columns and optionally also about a vertical axis of rotation.

As regards the pulleys onto which the diamond wire is wound, there exists a second type of machine which has two pulleys for each carriage, these pulleys having a small diameter (several tens of centimetres) and being spaced in the direction of the column.

The movement of each carriage along the respective column is performed by means of a screw and nut system.

In the more sophisticated machine versions the two carriages are moved independently so as to be able to positioned at different heights, thus inclining the diamond wire until it reaches a maximum inclination of about 20°. The wire may thus assume any position between a horizontal position and an inclined position of about 20°.

Moreover, a wire -guide device is mounted on each carriage; the bottom section of the wire which during use engages the block to be cut is situated between the two wire -guide devices.

The two wire -guide devices may be normally moved so as to be positioned as close as possible to the block.

Each wire -guiding device is formed by two oppositely arranged rollers between which the diamond wire travels. The two rollers usually rotate around the axis of the wire itself, so that their grooves are oriented in the direction of advancing movement of the cut and thus press the wire against the block to be cut.

Water supply devices for cooling and lubricating the diamond wire are mounted on the carriage in the side where the wire enters into the block.

As already mentioned, the machines are provided with a programmable control unit for interpolated control of the machine axes depending on the cutting path to be followed.

The control unit allows programming of both the cutting path and any pauses for recovery of the span (wire bow), as well as stoppages for fixing the workpiece, reverse movements for automatic expulsion of the workpiece, and re-starting of machining from another point, etc.

It is thus possible to perform different cuts so as to obtain various shaped surfaces, for example cylindrical or conical surfaces or surfaces varyingly combined with each other.

For operation of the machine it is therefore necessary firstly to perform programming and then proceed with execution of the work where the block to be cut is loaded onto the block-support carriage and suitably positioned. The dimensions of the block and its position with respect to the carriage are recorded, the wire is positioned at the point where the cut is to be started and the programmed cutting step is then started.

A machine of this type is described in Italian patent application No. TV2014A000092.

In this machine, in order to keep the length of the wire - and therefore its tension - constant when there is a variation in the inclination, two carriages are provided on a column: a bottom carriage on which a first pulley is mounted and a top carriage on which a second pulley is mounted. Both the carriages travel along the same guides mounted on the column.

The bottom carriage is moved by a screw and nut mechanism, while the top carriage is moved by a pneumatic actuating system arranged between the two carriages.

In this way, when the bottom wire section must be inclined in order to perform inclined cuts, the two carriages are moved closer together so as to compensate for the increase in the extension of the wire around the two pulleys. When the bottom section of the wire is arranged horizontally, the two pulleys are positioned at the maximum possible distance, while, when the bottom section of the wire is inclined by the maximum possible amount (about 20°), the two pulleys are positioned at a minimum distance.

For some types of machining operations it is necessary to perform cuts with the wire from a point inside the block, for example when a cavity must be formed in the block. The term "cavity" is understood as meaning a through-hole in the block, which may have any geometry, obtained by making an initial hole with a drill, which is then widened and shaped using a diamond wire.

In this case, it is not possible to perform a wire cut starting from outside of the block, but it is necessary to make firstly a hole with a small diameter in a precise position of the block using a boring device (a drill) provided with a long drilling bit and, once a through-hole has been formed, inserting a wire inside it, joining the wire and finally performing the wire cutting operation.

In order to perform the drilling operation, however, a different drilling machine must be used, it being necessary to perform at least two block positioning operations, one for each machine.

Moreover, if the article is thick, the machine must firstly perform a hole in one side of the block and then a second hole on the other side, so as to join up with the first hole.

Usually this is achieved by means of a double drilling operation so as to limit the length of the drilling bit and therefore the complexity of the machine.

The main disadvantage of such a solution is the high cost, since it is required to use a second machine in order to perform the drilling operation.

Moreover, a succession of precise and difficult operations must be performed in order to position the block on the two different machines and ensure that the holes are formed in the correct positions. These operations are further complicated if a large number of cavities must be provided, with the need to make a corresponding number of holes with the drilling device.

The prior art has attempted to solve this technical problem using a wire-cutting machine equipped also with a drilling device for initial drilling of the block along a horizontal direction. In this type of machine, the drilling device is provided on one of the carriages and moves along the column together therewith.

The machine fulfils its intended functions, i.e. it allows a single machining station to be used in order to form the cavities. However, its intended functions do not include the formation of holes which are inclined relative to the horizontal direction. In fact, the drilling device is integral with the carriage and therefore, although it moves along the column and is able to perform holes at different heights, it is unable to perform inclined cuts.

Consequently, in the case where inclined holes must be made, it is in any case necessary to use a second drilling machine provided with an inclinable drill.

The object of the invention is therefore to solve at least partially the drawbacks of the prior art.

A first task of the present invention is to provide a machine with which it is possible to perform both cutting with a diamond wire and drilling of the hole used to create the cavities.

A second task of the present invention is to provide a machine which is also able to form holes which are inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

Moreover, a further task of the present invention is to provide a machine which is able to form cavities with precise positioning and rapidly.

The object and tasks are achieved with a machine according to Claim 1.

A diamond-wire machine for the shaped cutting of blocks or slabs of stone material is provided, said machine comprising: two columns and a carriage movable along each column. A wire -guide device adapted to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction is provided on at least one of the carriages. The machine further comprises a drilling device integral with a wire -guide device, for forming through-holes in said block or slab of stone material.

The advantages and characteristic features of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description below of a number of examples of embodiment provided by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a machine according to the present invention in a first working configuration;

Fig. 2 is partially sectioned view of an enlarged portion of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a partially sectioned view of a further enlarged portion of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of a machine according to the present invention in a second working configuration;

Fig. 5 is partially sectioned view of an enlarged portion of the machine shown in Figure

4;

Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C show a sequence of working steps of a part of the machine according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a schematic front view of a machine according to the present invention in a third working configuration;

Fig. 8 is a schematic front view of a machine according to the present invention in a fourth working configuration; and Figs. 9A, 9B and 9C show a sequence of working steps of a part of a machine according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a machine according to the present invention indicated by the reference number 12.

The diamond-wire machine 12 for the shaped cutting of blocks or slabs of stone material comprises: two columns 14, 16, a carriage 22, 24 movable along each column 14, 16. Each carriage is provided with at least one pulley 222, 224; 242, 244. At least one carriage is provided with a wire -guide device 26, 28 adapted to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The machine 12 further comprises a drilling device 30 integral with the wire -guide device 26, 28.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown for example in Figure 1, the machine comprises two side columns 14, 16 which may be connected at their top end by a first stiffening cross-member 18. The machine may also comprise a second stiffening cross-member 20 situated at an intermediate height between the first cross-member 18 and the ground.

Each carriage, which is also referred to as flywheel or pulley holder carriage, may be moved by a screw and nut mechanism connected to an associated motor which may positioned on top of the respective column. The mechanism and the associated motor are not described and illustrated in detail since they are known per se to the person skilled in the art.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carriage 22 is provided with two pulleys 222, 224, while the carriage 24 is provided with two pulleys 242,244. The diamond wire (not shown in the attached figures) travels around the pulleys 222, 224; 242; 244 of the two carnages 22, 24.

As mentioned with reference to the prior art, at least one of the two columns may be provided with means for recovery of the length of the wire, said means not being shown in the attached figures since they are not directly relevant for the purposes of the present invention.

Preferably each carriage 22, 24 is provided respectively with a wire -guide device 26, 28. With particular reference to Figure 2, a possible embodiment of the wire -guide devices 26, 28 will now be described.

The wire -guide device 28 comprises two oppositely arranged rollers 281, 282 which are held together by means of a rotating support 283. The diamond wire travels between the two oppositely arranged rollers 281, 282.

The rotating support 283 is connected to the carriage 24 by means of a translatable structure 284 and a tiltable support 285.

The tiltable support 285 may be inclined with respect to the carriage 24 so as to incline the wire -guide device 28. Advantageously the tiltable support may rotate about the same axis as the pulley 244 positioned at the bottom.

The translatable structure 284 is movable with respect to the tiltable support and provided with guiding and movement means so as to be able to displace the wire -guide rollers 281, 282 in the direction of the diamond wire.

The wire -guide rollers 281, 282 can be therefore be moved between two positions:

- a completely retracted position, shown in Fig. 2, where the wire -guide rollers 281, 282 are in the position closest to the respective carriage; and

- a completely retracted position, shown in Fig. 5, where the wire -guide rollers 281, 282 are in the position furthest from the respective carriage.

The rotating support 283 on which the wire -guide rollers are mounted, is positioned at the end of the translatable structure 284, and is adapted so as to rotate about the axis of the wire, in a manner known per se, so as to ensure guiding and pushing of the wire in the direction of advancing movement of the cut.

From Figure 1 it can be seen that the machine 12 may be also provided in a manner known per se with a block-support carriage 21 translatable by means of wheels 214, 215 which travel respectively on guides 212,213 and rotatable about a vertical axis 217 by means of a swivel plate 216.

A drilling device 30 is mounted on at least one wire -guide device 28.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the drilling device 30, which comprises a drilling tool 30, may be provided on the translatable structure 284 of the wire -guide device 28. The drilling device 30 may therefore be moved towards or away from a block to be drilled owing to the movement of the translatable structure 284.

In particular, by means of the movement of the translatable structure 284, the drilling device may be movable between:

- a first completely retracted position, shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 6A, in which the drilling device 30, and in particular the drilling bit 301, are in the position closest to the respective carriage 24;

- a second position, shown in Fig. 5 and Fig, 6B, where the wire -guide rollers 281, 282 are in the position furthest from the respective carriage, and the drilling device is in a first advanced position.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, shown for example in Figures 2 and 5, the drilling device 30 may comprise an actuator 302 for a further movement thereof, in the working direction, with respect to the translatable structure 285.

The actuator 302 may be a pneumatic cylinder 303, fixed to the translatable structure 284, as shown for example in Figures 2 and 3.

As can be clearly seen in Figures 2 and 3, the pneumatic cylinder 303 slides inside a guide bush 304 fixed to the tiltable support 285. During the forwards movement of the wire- guide device, the cylinder is guided during its movement.

A cylindrical piston 305 slides inside the cylinder 303. The actuating system may comprise, in a manner evident for the person skilled in the art, a circuit for supplying fluid under pressure - partially visible in Figures 2 and 3 - which may also comprise a programmable control system for the movement of the actuating system.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, a drive shaft 306 is provided inside the cylindrical piston 305. The drive shaft 306 may be supported by bearings, which are denoted by the reference number 307. The drive shaft 306 has a first end 308 connected to motor means 309, while a second end 310 is connected to a spindle shaft 32 provided with a tool-holder fixture.

The drive shaft 306, supported by the bearings 307, is rotated about its axis via the motor means 309.

In Figure 3, it can be seen that the second end 310 of the drive shaft 310 may be provided with a transmission joint 33, so as to transmit the movement to the spindle shaft 32 which may be supported by two bearings 331. The spindle shaft 32 is provided with a tool- holder fixture, preferably of the conical type, where the drilling bit 301 is mounted.

The spindle shaft 32 preferably is provided with an axial hole which is placed in annular communication with a duct 34 for supplying coolant (for example water) for the drilling bit. The drilling bit 301 may be hollow and perforated, so as to allow the distribution of liquid, from the duct 34, inside the hole.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical piston 305 may have, fixed thereto, also two anti-rotation rods 36, 38 which engage inside respective guide bushes formed in the collar 40 supporting the pneumatic cylinder 303 so as to prevent relative rotation of piston 305 and cylinder 303.

The drilling bit 301 may therefore advance:

1) displacing forwards the wire -guide device, which consequently moves forwards the entire drilling device;

2) displacing forwards only the cylindrical piston.

As will be obvious to the person skilled in the art, the two movements may also be combined with each other. For example, it is possible to move firstly the wire -guide device and then move the cylindrical piston, or vice versa, or it is possible to move also simultaneously both the wire -guide device and the cylindrical piston.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rotating support 283, on which the wire -guide rollers are mounted, may rotate about the axis of the wire only when the cylindrical piston is retracted and when the drilling bit is not present.

The various possible movements will now be described with particular reference to Figures 6A, 6B and 6C. In Figure 6A, the drilling device is completely retracted and therefore both the wire- guide device and the cylindrical piston are completely retracted, in the position closest to the corresponding pulley. This condition is also shown in Figures 1 to 3.

In Figure 6B the wire -guide device is completely extracted, while the cylindrical piston is still in the completely retracted position.

In Figure 6C the wire -guide device is completely extracted and therefore both the device and the cylindrical piston are both displaced towards the block to be drilled (this completely extracted configuration corresponds to the configuration also shown in Figures 4 and 5).

In the case of very deep holes it is possible to use several bits of increasingly greater length in succession.

As shown in Fig. 4, the drilling bit 301 performs a hole which extends slightly beyond the middle of the block, following which the bit is extracted, the block-support carriage is rotated through 180° and drilling is performed on the opposite side until a through -hole is formed.

Advantageously the programmable control unit is designed to manage positioning of the machine axes so as to ensure that the holes made during successive steps are coaxial.

Once the hole has been formed, a diamond wire is inserted and a joint is then formed at the two free ends using means known per se such a sleeve coupling.

Figures 7 and 9 show the machine according to Figure 4, but with the wire -guide device and therefore the drilling bit inclined respectively upwards and downwards.

Figures 9A, 9B and 9C show an alternative embodiment of the drilling device according to the present invention. The drilling device 30 comprises an actuator 302 comprising a screw and nut mechanism 42 which moves a rod 44 at the end of which the drilling bit 301 is provided.

The end of the rod 44 opposite to that where the drilling bit 301 is mounted may be provided with a plate 46 on which a screw 48, parallel to the rod 44, is provided.

The rod 44 may slide between a rear guide 50 and a front guide 52. The rear guide is provided with a threaded seat on which the screw engages. One end of the screw is provided with a gear motor 54 which is able to cause it to rotate inside the threaded seat.

Therefore, by means of rotation of the screw in one direction or the other, it is possible to move the drilling device towards the block or vice versa.

Figure 9A shows a first position in which the wire -guide device 30 and the movable rod 44 are completely retracted.

Figure 9B shows a second position in which the wire -guide device is in an advanced position and the rod is completely retracted.

Figure 9C shows a third position in which wire -guide device and movable rod are completely extracted.

As can be seen in the figures, the end of the rod 44 is provided with an electric motor 56 and an angular transmission 58 for rotation of the drilling bit 301.

The advantages compared to the machines of the prior art are therefore evident.

Firstly it is possible to make holes in blocks of stone material using the same machine with which cutting with a diamond wire is then performed.

It is possible to make much deeper holes both by arranging the block in a different manner and by using drilling bits with an increasingly greater length.

Moreover it is possible to make holes which are inclined with respect to the horizontal without having to use a second machine.

The person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy specific requirements, may make modifications to the embodiments described above and/ or replace the parts described with equivalent parts, without thereby departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.

For example, it is possible to envisage other systems for moving the bit, in addition to those described above.

Moreover, two drilling devices may be provided, one for each wire -guide device.