Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum vibro-compression of mixes arranged on a support comprises a press (12) provided with a press ram (18) having vibratory devices (22), and a pressing surface (16). The press (12) comprises a vacuum bell (24). The apparatus is characterized in that it comprises an entry chamber (44) in the region of the inlet opening (36) of the bell (24) having a first opening (48) which can be controllably closed and opened with a first gate (50) adapted to prevent fluid communication between the outside and inside of the entry chamber (44) and a second gate (52) able to be controllably opened and closed, in the region of the inlet opening (36) of the bell (24), and adapted to prevent fluid communication between entry chamber (36) and the inside of the bell (24) or to allow the passage of the support with the mix from the entry chamber (36) to the inside of the bell (24).

Abstract: The invention relates to electrocatalysts comprising a carbonitride (CN) shell featuring good electrical conductivity, coordinating suitable catalytically active sites. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the aforesaid carbonitride shell coordinates nanoparticles or aggregates of nanoparticles, on which the active sites of the electrocatalyst are located. In a preferred form of the invention, said carbonitride shell covers suitable cores with good electrical conductivity. Said electrocatalysts are obtained through a process involving the pyrolysis of suitable precursors; in one aspect of the invention, the preparation process requires certain further steps. In one preferred aspect, the steps comprise one or more of the following: chemical treatments; electrochemical treatments; further pyrolysis processes.

Abstract: A machine (10) for grinding and/or polishing slabs of stone material, such as natural or agglomerated stone, ceramics or glass, comprises: a support bench (12) for the slabs to be machined. At least one working station (14) is provided above the support bench (12), said station comprising at least one pair of bridge support structures (16, 18) situated opposite each and arranged transversely on either side of the support bench (12). First means (19) are provided for performing a relative movement in the longitudinal direction of machining station (14) and slab on the support bench (12). The machine further comprises at least one beam (20, the two ends (22, 24) of which are supported by the support structures (16, 18), and at least one rotating spindle (26) with a sliding vertical axis mounted on the at least one beam (20). The beam (20) is movable transversely on the support structures (16, 18).

Abstract: Station for the realization of coloring effects in a mix for the production of slabs, includes: —a working surface intended to accommodate a temporary support with a basic mix layer for the formation of a slab; —at least one dye dispensing device for emitting dyes towards the working surface so as to deposit them on the basic mix layer on the temporary support accommodated on the working surface; —movement means for the relative movement of the dispensing device above the working surface; —a control system connected to the movement means for controlling the displacement of the dispensing device so as to follow trajectories along which dyes are emitted towards the mix layer; —at least one tool movable with the movement means (18, 118) and intended to interact mechanically with areas of the mix layer for receipt of the dyes emitted by the dispensing device to achieve coloring effects in the mix.

Abstract: A machine tool comprises a structure in which at least one component (12) of this structure is thermally insulated from the external environment and in which this component (12) is sealed so as to prevent fluid communication between the inside (18) and the outside of the component (12) of the structure.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing articles in the form of a slab or block, the articles are obtained from an initial mix comprising aggregates and a binder. Synthetic aggregates and fillers have a hardness greater than or equal to 5 Mohs, and contain silicon dioxide substantially only in amorphous form, the silicon dioxide in crystalline form being present in quantities of less than 1% by weight.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A plant for the production of slabs from a mixture of agglomerate comprises a station (50) with a mixture distribution unit (52) which pours the mixture onto the inner surface of a slab forming mould (11) present in the station. The mould (11) is provided with a sheet (15) of plastic protective material arranged above the inner surface of the mould and which forms the surface for contact with the mixture which is introduced into the mould by the distribution unit (52). The station comprises air suction means which are coupled/connected to suction ducts (54) which are present in the mould and which emerge with their front end inside the mould in a zone of the mould situated between the inner surface of the mould and the sheet (15), so as to allow the suction of air between the sheet and this inner surface and bring the sheet (15) against this surface by means of a vacuum. A method for the production of slabs is also described.

Abstract: A method for preparation of a mold (10) intended to form a slab from a mixture of agglomerate comprising the steps of depositing over the mold surfaces a sheet (15) of PVA-based plastic material so as to form with it a surface for subsequent contact with the mixture introduced into the mold for forming the slab, whereby in at least some areas a layer (14) of a fluid agent containing PVA in a solution is interposed between the sheet (15) and the mold surfaces. A plant for carrying out the method and a method for production of a slab are also described.

Abstract: A machine (12) for cutting slabs, comprises a workpiece support bench (14) adapted to support at least one slab, and cutting means for automated cutting of the slab on the bench. The cutting means comprise two lateral support structures (16, 18). A first beam (20) is adapted to move along said lateral support structures (16, 18). The first beam (20) is adapted to slide on the lateral support structures (16, 18) via its ends (22, 24) and guiding means (25, 26) provided on the lateral support structures (16, 18). The first beam (20) is provided with a first carriage (28) adapted to be moved along the first beam (20). A first sleeve (30) adapted to be moved towards or away from the workpiece support bench (14) is provided on the first carriage (28). A first machining head (32) comprising a first cutting spindle (34) is provided on the first sleeve (30). A second beam (201) is adapted to move along the lateral support structures (16, 18).

Abstract: A method for smoothing and/or polishing slabs of stone or stone-like material suitable for being implemented with a machine comprising: a support bench (16) for a slab to be machined; and at least one machining station (14). The machining station comprises two bridge support structures (20, 22) arranged transversely astride the support bench (16). A spindle-carrying beam (24), in suitable for being moved above the bridge structures in a transverse direction, is provided on the bridge support structures (20, 22). At least one spindle-carrying structure (34), suitable for being rotated about its own vertical axis (32), is provided on the spindle-carrying beam (24). Each spindle-carrying structure (34) is provided with two motorized spindles (38A, 38B), the ends of which are provided with machining heads (42A, 42B) arranged spaced apart and opposite each other with respect to the vertical axis (32) of the spindle-carrying structure (34) and comprising machining tools (44A, 44B).

Abstract: A sensing and positioning device adapted to be mounted on a spindle of a machine tool including: a fixing element; and at least three sensing elements adapted to be connected operationally to a programmable control unit of a machine tool. The sensing and positioning device is adapted to be used with a machining tool mounted on the spindle. A machine tool including a workpiece table, a machining head, and movement means adapted to move the machining head above the workpiece table. The machine further includes the device described above. An associated machining method is also described.

Abstract: A mix dispenser (14) comprises a hopper (24) with a top opening (26) for filling the hopper with a predetermined amount of mix and a bottom opening (28). The dispenser comprises a conveyor (30) which forms the bottom of said hopper (24) and is designed to extract the mix from the hopper (24) and convey it towards an end from where it falls into a mould. The dispenser is characterized in that said conveyor (30) comprises a supporting meshwork (32) made of a material resistant to the vapours of solvents such as styrene and operated by an electric motor (34). Furthermore a plant comprising such as dispenser is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrocatalysts comprising a carbonitride (CN) shell featuring good electrical conductivity, coordinating suitable catalytically active sites. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the aforesaid carbonitride shell coordinates nanoparticles or aggregates of nanoparticles, on which the active sites of the electrocatalyst are located. In a preferred form of the invention, said carbonitride shell covers suitable cores with good electrical conductivity. Said electrocatalysts are obtained through a process involving the pyrolysis of suitable precursors; in one aspect of the invention, the preparation process requires certain further steps. In one preferred aspect, the steps comprise one or more of the following: chemical treatments; electrochemical treatments; further pyrolysis processes.

Abstract: A Station (10 110) for the realization of coloring effects in a mix for the production of slabs, comprising:—a working surface (11) intended to accommodate a temporary support (12) with a basic mix layer for the formation of a slab;—at least one dye dispensing device (17) for emitting dyes towards the working surface (11) so as to deposit them on the basic mix layer on the temporary support accommodated on the working surface (11)—movement means (18 118) for the relative movement of the dispensing device (17) above the working surface (11)—a control system (19) connected to the movement means (18,118) for controlling the displacement of the dispensing device (17) on the working surface (11) so as to follow trajectories along which dyes are emitted towards the mix layer;—at least one tool (30, 31) movable with the movement means (18, 118) and intended to interact mechanically with areas of the mix layer on the temporary support accommodated on the working surface which receive or are intended to receive the dy

Abstract: A machine (12) for cutting slabs, comprises a workpiece support bench (14) adapted to support at least one slab, and cutting means for automated cutting of the slab on the bench. The cutting means comprise two lateral support structures (16, 18). A first beam (20) is adapted to move along said lateral support structures (16, 18). The first beam (20) is adapted to slide on the lateral support structures (16, 18) via its ends (22, 24) and guiding means (25, 26) provided on the lateral support structures (16, 18). The first beam (20) is provided with a first carriage (28) adapted to be moved along the first beam (20). A first sleeve (30) adapted to be moved towards or away from the workpiece support bench (14) is provided on the first carriage (28). A first machining head (32) comprising a first cutting spindle (34) is provided on the first sleeve (30). A second beam (201) is adapted to move along the lateral support structures (16, 18).

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum vibro-compression of mixes arranged on a support comprises a press (12) provided with a press ram (18) having vibratory devices (22), and a pressing surface (16). The press (12) comprises a vacuum bell (24). The apparatus is characterized in that it comprises an entry chamber (44) in the region of the inlet opening (36) of the bell (24) having a first opening (48) which can be controllably closed and opened with a first gate (50) adapted to prevent fluid communication between the outside and inside of the entry chamber (44) and a second gate (52) able to be controllably opened and closed, in the region of the inlet opening (36) of the bell (24), and adapted to prevent fluid communication between entry chamber (36) and the inside of the bell (24) or to allow the passage of the support with the mix from the entry chamber (36) to the inside of the bell (24).

Abstract: A method for smoothing and/or polishing slabs of stone or stone-like material suitable for being implemented with a machine comprising: a support bench (16) for a slab to be machined; and at least one machining station (14). The machining station comprises two bridge support structures (20, 22) arranged transversely astride the support bench (16). A spindle-carrying beam (24), in suitable for being moved above the bridge structures in a transverse direction, is provided on the bridge support structures (20, 22). At least one spindle-carrying structure (34), suitable for being rotated about its own vertical axis (32), is provided on the spindle-carrying beam (24). Each spindle-carrying structure (34) is provided with two motorized spindles (38A, 38B), the ends of which are provided with machining heads (42A, 42B) arranged spaced apart and opposite each other with respect to the vertical axis (32) of the spindle-carrying structure (34) and comprising machining tools (44A, 44B).

Abstract: In the method for manufacturing conglomerate stone slabs using the Bretonstone technology, in the variant where the starting mixture is enclosed between two paper sheets, the improvement consists in replacing each paper sheet with a containment element consisting of a paper sheet, one surface of which has, applied thereon, a film of plastic material which is impermeable to organic vapours, impermeable to the liquids and in particular to the liquid resin constituting the binder of said mixture, resistant to the catalysis temperatures of the said resin and resistant to hot solvents and chemical vapours. Preferably, said plastic material is water-soluble, in particular polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: Means for dispensing a powdery coloring substance onto the surface of a mix comprising stone, stone-like, glass or ceramic material. The means comprise at least one dispensing device for containing and dispensing a powdery coloring substance and at least one spreading device. The spreading device comprises at least one moving perforated plate which receives a metered amount of said coloring substance from the dispensing device and distributes it over the surface of the mix.