Combined apparatus for machining of articles, in particular in form of slabs

Abstract

An apparatus for machining an article (L) in the form of a slab or the like comprises—in addition to a rotary tool ( 24 ) associated with a spindle ( 22 )—a nozzle ( 26 ) ejecting water at very high pressure. Both the rotary tool and the nozzle are supported by a carriage ( 20 ) sliding along a beam ( 18 ) in turn sliding along two shoulders ( 14 ) in a perpendicular direction. In the working area ( 12 ) and above a tank ( 30 ) normally filled with water, the article (L) is supported in a horizontal position not only by an interchangeable grid ( 32; 52 ), but preferably also by a disposable support ( 34 ) which prevent the rotary tool ( 24 ) from coming into contact with the grid. The disposable support is periodically replaced.

1 . A combined numerical-control apparatus, with interpolated axes, for machining a slab or a similar article manufactured from a rigid and heavy material selected from one of solid stone, glass, and ceramic materials, the apparatus comprising:
 a frame delimiting a working area of the article and formed by two shoulders and a beam perpendicular to said shoulders and slidable along the said shoulders   a spindle and an associated cutting disk movable vertically so as to engage with the article within said working area;   a carriage sliding along said beam for supporting said spindle which is consequently movable in a controlled manner with respect to the article in two horizontal directions perpendicular to each other;   a cutting nozzle for emitting water admixed with granules of abrasive materials supported by said carriage;   a tank normally full of water inside said working area;   means for bringing the water to the desired pressure;   means for supplying said emission nozzle with the water admixed with granules of abrasive materials;   means comprising interchangeable metallic grid for supporting the article in a horizontal position during machining within said working area, above said tank;   wherein disposable support means are arranged between said grid and the article, the said disposable support means having the function of preventing said rotary toolcutting disk from coming into contact with said grid.   
   
   
       2 . The combined apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said water emission nozzle is supported by said movable carriage so as to be movable vertically independently from said spindle. 
   
   
       3 . The combined apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein it comprises a pair of long conveyors arranged parallel above said tank and able to transfer and maintain the article onto said disposable support means during machining and to unload, at the end of machining, the resultant articles. 
   
   
       4 . The combined apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said cutting disk may be inclined between 0° and 90°, for performing full pass and incremental cuts, and is rotatable about the vertical axis of said spindle for performing interpolated oblique cuts. 
   
   
       5 . The combined apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a store for the various cutting disks which can be mounted on said spindle for machining the article. 
   
   
       6 . A plant for processing articles in the form of a slab or similar article made from a rigid and heavy material selected from one of solid stone, glass, or and ceramic materials, comprising a combined apparatus comprising:
 a frame delimiting a working area of the article and formed by two shoulders and a beam perpendicular to said shoulders and slidable along said shoulders;   a spindle and an associated rotary tool movable vertically so as to engage with the article within said working area;   a carriage sliding along said beam for supporting said spindle which is consequently movable in a controlled manner with respect to the article in two horizontal directions perpendicular to each other;   a cutting nozzle for emitting water admixed with granules of abrasive materials, supported by said carriage;   a tank normally full of water inside said working area;   means for bringing the water to the desired pressure;   means for supplying said emission nozzle with water admixed with granules of abrasive materials;   means comprising an interchangeable metallic grid for supporting the article in a horizontal position during machining within said working area, above said tank;   disposable support means are arranged between said grid and the article, the said disposable support means having the function of preventing said rotary tool from coming into contact with said grid;   wherein the plant also comprises conveyor means able to ensure the transfer of the article, arranged above said disposable means, if present, into said working area of the combined apparatus above said tank and the removal of the resultant articles.   
   
   
       7 . The plant according to  claim 6 , wherein said conveyor means comprise a first rollerway arranged upstream of said combined apparatus and a second rollerway arranged downstream. 
   
   
       8 . The plant according to  claim 6 , said conveyor means consist of a loading and unloading system arranged at only one side of the combined apparatus and comprising a lifting device able to receive and to move to and from said working area of the combined apparatus a couple of pallets consisting from the bottom upwards by a metal grid having a supporting frame, disposable support means and an article to machine, with the result that, while a first pallet is positioned within the working area, a second pallet is arranged and that, when said pallet is removed from the working area, said second pallet is transferred into the same working area.