Abstract: A shaped sheet usable for the production of slabs made from a material mixture of granulated stone material and/or sand and by a binding resin includes a flat base and a peripheral frame projecting from the base for a predetermined height so as to define a seat of dimensions corresponding in plan to those of the slab to be produced. The structure of the flat base includes a first rubber layer of previously cured rubber forming a first surface which adapted to be in contact with said the material mixture and a second rubber layer of previously cured rubber, a first layer of cloth and a second layer cloth, wherein the said second cloth includes a second outwardly directed surface of the shaped sheet.

Abstract: A support structure or sleeve for the spindle of a machine tool consists of a tubular casing, preferably made of sheet steel with a high modulus of elasticity, in contact with a layer of agglomerate obtained by casting inside the casing a mixture formed by a granulate of stone and/or ceramic and/or expanded clay material as well as a synthetic resin of the hardening type, which is subject to cross-linking. The structure thus obtained combines a high vibration damping factor with an excellent mechanical strength and a reduced weight. The structure may also comprise a second casing which is located inside the layer of agglomerate and in contact therewith. The mass of agglomerate may also have, embedded in it, pipes for circulation of a cooling fluid in order to dispose of the heat produced by the spindle during operation.

Abstract: While an article (12) made with fibres of inert materials bonded with resins, in particular a panel, is machined, the zone of contact between a swarf-removing tool (14) and the article (12) is sprayed with water. The dust and fine particles produced during machining operations are thus eliminated.

Abstract: A mix distributor (10) for filling a tray-like mold (100) comprises a fixed structure (20), having a distribution surface (24) supporting a mold (100), and a movable housing (30), displaceable above the mold (100) The movable housing is provided with a hopper containing the mix having at its bottom end a port (50) for discharging the mix. An extractor belt (60) which is integral with and positioned underneath the hopper (40), forming the bottom thereof, is able to receive and convey the discharged mi (110) so that it falls by effect of gravity into the mold (100) and is unformly distributed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article in the form of a reinforced slab, which has upper and lower surface that are flat and parallel, includes the step of providing granulate of a predefined grain site, binder; preparing a cement mixture; distributing the mixture in a tray-like mold; deaeration by intense vacuum; vacuum vibrocompaction; hardening and setting; and extraction.

Abstract: A reinforced slab, in particular able to withstand concentrated loads, has a substantially flat reinforcing structure (20) which is situated at a distance from the bottom (12) of the mould (10) and arranged at a height such as to allow embedding of said reinforcing structure (20) within the end product (40), said reinforcing structure consisting of a sheet oriented substantially parallel to the surfaces of said slab and having a plurality of holes or openings. Preferably said sheet is provided with stiffening ribs and the edges of the holes or openings are folded in the form of a “U”. The method for manufacturing the reinforced slab is a method known as “Terastone”, except for the step involving insertion, in the forming mould, of the reinforcing structure which is positioned at the desired height by means of support feet.

Abstract: Between two layers (10, 12) of Bretonstone™ mix—formed by inert materials (11), a hardening resin and a filler (13)—at least one fibrous middle layer (14) is arranged which consists of linear elements or inorganic filaments (15), preferably made of glass and in the form of continuous non-woven elements, pre-impregnated with a resin of the same kind as, or compatible with that forming the said mix. The assembly is subjected to vacuum vibro-compression before a final hardening step in a catalysis oven. USE/ADVANTAGES: a stratified and reinforced slab is obtained which combines a reduced thickness (even as small as 3.5 mm) to a very high impact strength and improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: A mix distributor (10) for filling a tray-like mold (100) comprises a fixed structure (120), having a distribution surface (124) supporting a mold (100), and a movable housing (130), displaceable above the mold (100). The movable housing is provided with a hopper containing the mix having at its bottom end a port (150) for discharging the mix. An extractor belt (160) which is integral with and positioned underneath the hopper (40; 140), forming the bottom thereof, is able to receive and convey the discharged mix (110) so that it falls by effect of gravity into the mold (100) and is uniformly distributed.

Abstract: In a numerical-control machine tool use is made of a mandrel-holding structure that makes it possible for the machine tool to be used to smoothing/facing and polishing purposes under utilization of traditional pan-like tools, in which the force acting on the working tool is delivered by a pre-established adjustable pneumatic pressure, while the weight of the moving parts of the mandrel is compensated for by a compression spring. When the pneumatic pressure is substituted for by an oleodynamic, i.e. oil-pressure force acting in the opposite direction, the machine switches over to normal operating conditions as a regular numerical-control machine tool.

Abstract: In the manufacture of slabs and panels of ceramic material according to the vacuum vibrocompaction method described in Italian patent 1,311,858, the initial mix is formed using ceramic having the form of sands having a grain size of less than 2.5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm, and ceramic powders, together with a binding additive in the form of an aqueous solution consisting of sodium silicate in a concentration greater than 24° Baumé, fibres of high-melting transparent inorganic material, preferably high-melting glass, also being added to the mix. The slabs obtained have an improved mechanical strength, a reduced porosity and improved aesthetic properties, in addition to being free from cracks and microscopic fissures.

Abstract: A shaped sheet usable for the production of slabs made from a material mixture of granulated stone material and/or sand and by a binding resin includes a flat base and a peripheral frame projecting from the base for a predetermined height so as to define a seat of dimensions corresponding in plan to those of the slab to be produced. The structure of the flat base includes a first rubber layer of previously cured rubber forming a first surface which adapted to be in contact with said the material mixture and a second rubber layer of previously cured rubber, a first layer of cloth and a second layer cloth, wherein the said second cloth includes a second outwardly directed surface of the shaped sheet.

Abstract: A reinforced slab, in particular able to withstand concentrated loads, has a substantially flat reinforcing structure (20) which is situated at a distance from the bottom (12) of the mould (10) and arranged at a height such as to allow embedding of said reinforcing structure (20) within the end product (40), said reinforcing structure consisting of a sheet oriented substantially parallel to the surfaces of said slab and having a plurality of holes or openings. Preferably said sheet is provided with stiffening ribs and the edges of the holes or openings are folded in the form of a “U”. The method for manufacturing the reinforced slab is a method known as “Terastone”, except for the step involving insertion, in the forming mould, of the reinforcing structure which is positioned at the desired height by means of support feet.

Abstract: In a numerical-control machine tool use is made of a mandrel-holding structure that makes it possible for the machine tool to be used to smoothing/facing and polishing purposes under utilization of traditional pan-like tools, in which the force acting on the working tool is delivered by a pre-established adjustable pneumatic pressure, while the weight of the moving parts of the mandrel is compensated for by a compression spring. When the pneumatic pressure is substituted for by an oleodynamic, i.e. oil-pressure force acting in the opposite direction, the machine switches over to normal operating conditions as a regular numerical-control machine tool.

Abstract: The method of producing slabs made of granulated stone and/or sand bound with a hardenable resin by compaction under vacuum and subsequent hardening in which before the vibratory compaction the mixture is spread to a uniform thickness on a support, the support being protected by highly resilient sheet material. A lower sheet material has a shaped configuration comprising a flat base and a peripheral frame projecting from the flat base for a predetermined height so as to define a seat of dimension corresponding in plan to those of the slab to be produced. The peripheral frame having a height which is lower by a predetermined amount than that of the final slab produced.

Abstract: A support structure or sleeve for the spindle of a machine tool consists of a tubular casing, preferably made of sheet steel with a high modulus of elasticity, in contact with a layer of agglomerate obtained by casting inside the casing a mixture formed by a granulate of stone and/or ceramic and/or expanded clay material as well as a synthetic resin of the hardening type, which is subject to cross-linking. The structure thus obtained combines a high vibration damping factor with an excellent mechanical strength and a reduced weight. The structure may also comprise a second casing which is located inside the layer of agglomerate and in contact therewith. The mass of agglomerate may also have, embedded in it, pipes for circulation of a cooling fluid in order to dispose of the heat produced by the spindle during operation.

Abstract: In the manufacture of slab-type products in which an initial mix-formed by a granulate and by a binder-is deposited on a temporary support and then subjected to vibrocompaction under vacuum and conveyed away for the hardening stages, before vibrocompaction a dye is deposited on the surface of the mix layer with a random and patch-like layout before the vibrocompaction step.

Abstract: A process for producing a slab of stony material by filling of a mold (42) with a mixture of stony material for the realization of a slab of the material, supplying the mixture with a volumetric distributor with rotating blades (92) and moving the volumetric distributor from a first end to the other end of the mold (42) and then returning the distributor to the first end with the blades (92) in a swinging motion or angle widening motion, and stopping the distributor for a prefixed period of time at each end, during which time the blades (92) are given a limited rotation in the direction of the stopped end.

Abstract: Manufactured articles of granite, hard stone with a gauged thickness, uniform surface free of defects are obtained by a method which provides for discontinuous advance of the article along a belt, and only when the article is still, the chuck which carries the diamond covered tool performs its transversal motion. An increase in production is achieved.

Abstract: The process provides for the structural reinforcement of manufactured articles made of stone or, in general, agglomerates by means of a sequence of steps which comprise the following: (a) the article to be treated is heated; (b) spraying on one surface of the article a particular adhesive called primer; (c) spraying on the same surface a resin preferably containing glass fibers or fibers of another material; (d) spraying on the same surface grit of stone having a constant and defined granulometry; (e) applying an action of vibration or compression on the article in order to facilitate the cohesion of the grit with the resin; (f) letting the resin undergo a catalytic reaction which eventually may require application of heat; (g) levelling the surface by mechanical operations. The same process may be repeated on the other surface of the article if one desires to cut the article along its thickness for the purpose of obtaining a very thin product.

Abstract: A process for the production of a multi-layer block by distribution of a mixture, the block being used for the production of agglomerated slabs of marble, granite, sand or in general stone, consists of weighing a predetermined amount of the mixture, mixing it to render it homogeneous, conveying the predetermined amount of homogeneous mixture into a mold provided with a vertically movable bottom, subjecting the mixture to a vibrating action by means of a vibrating plate, then lowering said predetermined amount of the mixture of a distance equal to the thickness of a new slab, covering the mixture with a sheet of impermeable material, repeating the operations until the mold is filled. A multi-layer block is formed, which is compacted and allowed to set. The block is separated into slabs corresponding to the sheets of impermeable material. The apparatus is also described.