ES2940068T3 - Equipment for surface treatment of plate-shaped elements - Google Patents

Abstract

Equipment (300) for surface sanding of plate-shaped bodies (101), in particular tiles, said equipment (300) comprising support and feed means (100) for supporting said plate-shaped bodies (101) and feeding said plate-molded bodies (101) along a given direction of advance (D), so that during movement along said given direction (D) the surface of each said plate-shaped body (101) to be sanded can be visible and accessible, said equipment (300) including a sanding module (200) provided with sanding means defining an abrasive sanding surface and with movement means for moving said abrasive surface into contact with the visible surface of said plate-shaped bodies (101) in succession during the movement thereof; wherein said sanding means comprise a closed belt (201) defining said abrasive sanding surface and is suitable to be driven in rotation by means of These mobile media. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, no legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Equipment for surface treatment of plate-shaped elements

The present invention relates to the field of surface treatment of plate-shaped elements. In particular, the present invention refers to innovative equipment for the surface treatment of plate-shaped elements. In detail, the present invention relates to equipment for surface treatment of plate-shaped elements, especially for sanding plate-shaped elements such as tiles, plates or the like.

prior art

Equipment for "industrial" sanding of tiles of different materials, such as ceramic, marble, cement or the like, as well as stone plates, metal or other material, is known and widely used, understood by "industrial sanding" in the present invention, the sanding that is carried out to uniform the surface quality of the tiles at the end of the production cycle and, therefore, before laying.

The most effective and widely used solutions provide for the use of a plurality of sanding modules arranged in succession on a conveyor belt that supports the tiles or slabs and moves them in a determined direction. Each module comprises a rotating head around a substantially vertical axis of rotation (perpendicular to the surface of the tiles or plates to be sanded that are arranged on the conveyor belt in a substantially horizontal position); the rotary head is equipped with a plurality of Fickerts or Fickert heads, and the rotation of the head results in a sanding action exerted on the tile or plates by the abrasive surface of each Fickert head, wherein each Fickert head, during rotation of the head, it is made to pivot like a pendulum about a pivot axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the head.

Each module and/or rotary head can be moved both vertically (perpendicular to the tiles), to adjust the pressure exerted by the Fickert heads on the plates, and transversally with respect to the conveyor belt, calling the transversal movement of the module or head "transversal" .

The Fickert heads of the various rotating heads arranged in succession along the conveyor belt are characterized by abrasive surfaces of different abrasive grade; in detail, the abrasive degree is greater for the first heads that act on the tiles and decreases more and more for the following heads, until the last heads.

Equipment of this type is equipped with a hydraulic system to cool the abrasives and keep the conveyor belt clean during work. In addition, the vertical movement of the rotating heads is carried out by means of pneumatic cylinders. An equipment according to the prior art is shown, for example, in the document EP 0225296 A1, and discloses the preamble of claim 1.

The prior art equipment described above, even if appreciable from many points of view, nevertheless has some drawbacks and/or disadvantages.

A first drawback is the length of traditional sanding lines, which are too long to reach speeds that allow satisfactory industrial productivity.

A further disadvantage is that a significant amount of water is required during machining to lubricate and cool the tools, equal to about 80/100 l/min per Fickert head, which is very expensive. In addition, the use of water requires significant investments in water purification systems that will manage the flow, deposit and separation of sludge.

It should also be noted that the tools have an average life of two hours and it is necessary to stop the entire line to replace a single head.

In addition, the traverse width and speed will be adjusted according to the width of the plates, and this treatment requirement creates higher costs to produce the machine for larger formats, as well as mechanical limits that can be difficult to manage.

In addition, the entire process is based on the operating force of the Fickert heads, which are very heavy (more than approximately 80 kg each) and numerous, and therefore cause significant energy consumption and significant wear on their heads. mechanical components. Finally, to manage such complex and long equipment and lines, a large number of operators is required, as well as a large number of tools; not only does the number of tools vary depending on the quality of the individual operator's work, but the use of a large number of tools results in a large amount of production waste when using this prior art equipment.

Description of the present invention

An object of the present invention is to provide equipment that allows to overcome, or at least minimize, the problems of the prior art equipment described above.

In particular, an object of the invention is to provide equipment that allows the natural cooling of the abrasive, thus making lubrication with water unnecessary, with significant savings both in the necessary systems and in energy consumption.

Another object of the invention is to ensure the treatment of all surfaces of all predefined tile formats; in this way, the cross bridge is no longer necessary and it no longer has all the drawbacks of the prior art due to machine stops, abrasive replacement and format change.

The equipment according to the invention also makes it possible to limit the total volume, which is preferably equal to half the usual volume of prior art equipment, ensures continuity of production also during abrasive replacement, and ensures that the abrasive tools have a 4 times longer life than traditional tools.

Another object of the invention is to provide equipment that offers maximum guarantees in terms of safety, in particular during maintenance operations, and/or the possibility of replacing tools when the equipment is still working, with significant time savings. and costs.

Furthermore, the equipment according to the invention has a limited weight (with respect to the weight of prior art equipment) and can therefore be easily installed anywhere in a plant, without the need for masonry works and the like.

In view of the drawbacks of the prior art devices described above, and of the objects of the invention described above, the present invention therefore provides equipment for surface sanding of plate-shaped elements, in particular, of tiles, said equipment comprising supporting and feeding means for supporting said plate-shaped elements and feeding them along a given feeding direction, such that, during movement along said given direction, the surface of each plate-shaped element to be sanded can be visible and accessible, the kit including a sanding module provided with sanding means defining an abrasive sanding surface and movement means moving said abrasive surface into contact with the surface visible of the plate-shaped elements in succession during the forward movement thereof; the sanding means comprise a closed belt which defines the abrasive sanding surface and is suitable for being driven in rotation by the movement means.

According to one embodiment, the closed belt extends along a direction other than the feeding direction of the plate-shaped elements.

According to one embodiment, the closed belt can be oriented, with respect to the feeding direction of the plate-shaped elements, at will between two end positions, where it extends along two different directions, respectively a transverse direction and a oblique direction with respect to the feeding direction of the plate-shaped elements. According to one embodiment, the closed belt extends between two opposite pulleys, the axes of rotation of which are mutually parallel and orientable with respect to the feeding direction of the plate-shaped elements.

According to one embodiment, a first pulley of the two pulleys is driven in rotation by means of the movement means, while the second pulley of the two pulleys is driven in rotation by means of the closed belt.

According to one embodiment, the movement means comprise a power source and transmission means interposed between the power source and the first pulley.

According to one embodiment, the transmission means comprise a third pulley rigidly fixed to the first pulley through a transmission shaft and a transmission belt interposed between the power source and the third pulley.

According to one embodiment, adjustment means are provided to regulate the tension of the closed strap.

According to one embodiment, the adjustment means are shaped to allow adjustment of the center-to-center distance between the first pulley and the second pulley. According to one embodiment, adjustment means are also provided to regulate the contact pressure of the abrasive sanding surface against the visible and accessible surface of the plate-like elements.

According to one embodiment, said adjustment means comprise at least one pressure element suitable for exerting an adjustable pressure against the inner surface of the closed belt opposite the abrasive sanding surface.

According to one embodiment, the equipment comprises a plurality of modules arranged in succession along the feeding direction of the plate-shaped elements.

Any further embodiment of the equipment according to the invention is defined in the claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be better explained in the following description of the embodiments illustrated in the drawing. However, it should be specified that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and illustrated in the drawing; rather, all variants and modifications of the embodiments described and illustrated herein that are clearly apparent to those skilled in the art fall within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, since the invention can be advantageously applied in particular to tile sanding, in the following description reference will be made to the possible applications and methods of use for tile sanding, it being understood, however, that the possible advantageous applications of The invention is not limited to the field of tiles, but rather includes the surface treatment of any element in the form of a plate.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view from above of equipment according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view from above of a sanding module of equipment according to an embodiment of the invention from a point of view opposite to that of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a sanding module of equipment according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a sanding module of equipment according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a detail of Figure 3, on an enlarged scale and with some parts removed for clarity.

Detailed description of the present invention

In Fig. 1, reference numerals 100 and 200 respectively indicate a conveyor belt and a sanding module of an equipment 300 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Via the conveyor belt 100, known and therefore not described in detail for reasons of conciseness, plate-shaped bodies 101, such as tiles or the like, are supported and moved, in particular moved forward at a speed that can be adjusted according to the needs and/or circumstances, in particular, according to the degree of sanding desired, along a feed direction D indicated by the arrow in figure 1, in which the bodies 101, during their movement forwards along the direction D, they are arranged on the conveyor belt 100 so that the surface to be processed (to be treated, in particular, to be sanded) is visible and accessible.

Along the conveyor belt 100, in particular above it, a sanding module 200 is arranged, suitable for sanding the visible surface of each plate-shaped body 101 according to the methods explained in more detail below. It should be noted that the sanding module 200 comprises a rotating sanding belt 201, which extends along a transverse and oblique direction X with respect to the direction D of feed of the bodies 101; the belt 201 externally has an abrasive sanding surface 214', which will be better described below, and therefore it is clearly evident that each body 101 advancing in the indicated direction through the conveyor belt 100 has a visible surface 1010 which is oriented towards the belt 201, so that each surface 1010 touches the abrasive surface 214' of the rotating belt 201, whereby, according to the invention, also the speed of rotation of the belt 201 can be adjusted as required and/or or the circumstances. With particular reference to Figure 3, belt 201 has a substantially horizontal operative branch 2010 disposed at the bottom between pulleys 204 and 205, and a substantially horizontal inactive branch 2011 facing the top of branch 2010.

In addition, the module 200 can be oriented with respect to the conveyor belt 100, in particular, to allow the orientation of the sanding belt 201 between two end portions where the belt extends (according to the top plan view of Figure 1 ) along the transverse and oblique X-direction (FIG. 1) and respectively along a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the bodies 101.

The length of the belt 201, in particular its extension in the plane (see description below), is greater than the width of the conveyor belt 100, which allows surface treatment (sanding) of plate-shaped elements 101 of any length and whose width is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the width of the conveyor belt 100.

In the following, with reference to Figures 2 to 4, additional characteristics and/or features will be described and explained. of the equipment 300 according to the invention, in particular, characteristics and features of the sanding module 200, in which in figures 2 to 4, the components and/or characteristics of the sanding module 200 already described with reference to other figures are identified with the same reference numerals, and in which, in figures 2 to 4, the conveyor belt 100 is not shown for reasons of clarity. Figure 3 shows a side view of the module 200 from a point of view arranged upstream of the module 200 with respect to the feeding direction of the bodies 101 (at the top with reference to Figure 1); Figure 4 shows a side view of the module 200 from a point of view arranged downstream of the module 200 with respect to the feeding direction of the bodies 101 (at the bottom with reference to Figure 1).

As shown in the figures, the module 200 comprises a main support frame 210 and support means 211, through which the frame 210 (and thus the entire module 200) can be positioned (in particular, hung ) on the conveyor belt 100. A first shaft 208 of rotation and a second or shaft or axis 209 of rotation extend through the frame 210, interposing, if necessary, means to facilitate the rotation of the shafts 208 and 209 (such as bearings or the like, not shown). in the figures) between each shaft 208 and 209 and the respective housing seat provided in the frame 210. A pulley 204 and a pulley 205 are respectively coupled to the end portions of the shafts 208 and 209 that protrude from the frame 210 in a first side of the frame 210 (at the top with reference to figure 2). The belt 201 (figure 3) extends between the pulleys 204 and 205 to form a closed belt, in particular to define two flat, parallel and opposite portions, joined by means of two curved portions that respectively engage the two pulleys 204 and 205. In particular, the belt 201 comprises a flexible main portion 213 (layer), on which are applied a plurality of Fickert heads 214, defining an abrasive ring-sanding surface 214'.

As mentioned above, the module 200 is arranged on the conveyor belt 100 such that the visible surface 1010 of the bodies 101 touches the substantially linear portion of the belt 201 adjacent to the conveyor belt 100 and, therefore, the abrasive heads 214 carried by the same belt 201. Each abrasive head 214 is applied to the belt 201 by interposing a base 2140 carrying abrasive bodies 2142. Each base 2140 is made of a material that is elastically deformable under pressure, to allow the respective abrasive bodies 2142 to move transversely in the X-direction and in the D-direction to optimize interaction with the forward-moving plate-shaped bodies 101.

A third pulley 206 is attached to the end portion of the shaft 209 which protrudes from the frame 210 on the second side of the frame 210 (opposite the first side and therefore at the bottom with reference to Figure 2); the module 200 also comprises a power source 202, for example, but not limited to, an electric motor, with a rotation axis on which a pinion 207 engages, arranged, with respect to the main frame 210, on the same side as the third pulley 206. A transmission belt 203 extends between the pulley 206 and the pinion 207 and, therefore, it is clearly evident that the starting of the motor 202 (for example, the supply of electricity, in the case of a motor electrical) results in the rotation of the pinion 207 and thus the rotation of the third pulley 206 through the drive belt 203, as well as the rotation of the pulley 205 (since the pulleys 206 and 205 engage in opposite ends of the same shaft or axis 209), and the rotation of the belt 201 and of the pulley 204, dragged by the belt 201.

It should be noted that the module 200 also comprises adjustment elements 212 interposed between the shafts 208 and 209, these adjustment elements 212 being particularly suitable for regulating the center-to-center distance of the shafts 208 and 209 and, therefore, the tension of the belt 201. In the specific case illustrated in figure 4, the adjustment elements 212 are suitable for regulating the position of the shaft 208; the adjustment elements are known per se and will therefore not be described in greater detail below for the sake of conciseness, wherein equivalent adjustment means (not shown) can also be provided in the present invention for regulating the tension of the transmission belt 203.

Figure 3 shows an appreciable feature of the sanding module according to the present invention. In particular, in figure 3, between the pulleys 204 and 205 and in the interior space defined by the belt 201 between the branches 2010 and 2012, the frame 210 carries a support 211 and this support carries, in turn, a unit 215 of adjustment suitable for precisely regulating the contact pressure of the branch 2010 of the belt 201 on the bodies 101 that are supported and moved by the conveyor belt 100. The adjustment unit 215 comprises a plurality of pressure elements 216 arranged in succession between the pulleys 204 and 205 along a predefined portion of the linear segment of the belt 201 and movably brought transversely to the X direction and to the branches 2010 and 2012 of the belt 201. In particular, each pressure element 216 has a substantially parallelepiped shape and the support 211 carries a guide element to guide the rectilinear movement of each pressure element 216, the guide element being constituted by a rod 2111 that engages transversely with the corresponding pressure element 216. For reasons of practicality, in figure 5 only one rod 2111 has been shown, in correspondence with a first actuator 217 arranged next to the pulley 205. In addition, the support 211 carries a linear actuator 217 for each pressure element 216, in wherein the stem 2170 of each actuator 217 is parallel to the respective rod 2111. Further, referring again to Figure 5, each pressing element 216 carries, at the bottom, a roller 2160 which is oriented transversely to the X-direction and is provided with a plurality of longitudinally staggered arranged round contact points 2162 . Referring again to Figure 5, the tape 201 has an inner face 2014 provided with a plurality of reliefs 2015, configured to engage contact points 2162 of conjugated way to define a guide device 2016 for guiding the branch 2010 of the band 201. It is easily understood that the pressure exerted, in use, by the pressure elements 216 on the band 201 and, therefore, the pressure exerted the abrasive surface 214'/the belt 201 on the bodies 101, depends on the pressure exchanged between the reliefs 2015 and the contact points 2162 and, therefore, on the pressure exerted by the actuators 217 on the pressure elements 216.

In particular, although without limiting the scope of the invention, in case the actuators 217 are of the pneumatic type, a compressor 2172 (shown only in figures 2 and 4 for reasons of economy of drawings) can be provided, which can be fed through the same power supply 202 and is configured to drive each actuator 217 individually. Module 200 also comprises a control device 2174 (FIG. 2) carried by frame 210 and connected to compressor 2172 to control actuators 217 individually. In view of the above description, it is clearly evident that, in use, the pressure exerted by each actuator 217 can be individually adjusted, increasing or decreasing, in real time, the distribution of pressure on the plate-shaped bodies 101 that they move along the driving direction of the belt 201, associating the sensors 102 with the conveyor belt 100, the sensors being electronically coupled to the control device 2174 (the electronic connection between the mentioned components is not shown for economy of drawings ), where the sensors 102 are capable, in use, of detecting in real time the point-to-point surface conformation of the bodies 101 fed to the module 200 via the conveyor belt 100.

As clearly evident and proven from the above description of the embodiments shown in the figures, the present invention enables the above-mentioned objects and purposes to be achieved. In particular, the equipment according to the invention has a reduced volume, in particular the sanding module is really compact and not bulky, it makes it possible to avoid the use of cooling water (since the belt cools naturally) and, therefore, Therefore, the need for elimination and/or purification systems avoids the need for translation (where the belt extends at least the entire length of the conveyor belt), thus allowing production costs to be limited; In addition, the sanding module is suitable to be installed on existing conveyor belts without significant modifications to them, it allows a significant reduction in energy consumption and its mechanical components have limited wear.

Finally, the management of the equipment is simple and requires a small number of operators; The same happens with maintenance, both ordinary and extraordinary, while allowing a significant reduction in waste from the process. It should be noted that the above description and the attached figures refer only to one embodiment of the invention; however, it should be specified that the above description does not limit the possible embodiments of the invention that are within the scope thereof.

For example, as mentioned, both the feeding speed of the bodies 101 and the speed of the belt 201 can be adjusted at will. In addition, as for the methods of using the equipment, the stop of the conveyor belt 100 can be provided when the body 101 to be sanded is arranged in correspondence with the module 200.

It should also be specified that the sanding module 200 can be used, together with the sensors 102, in a sanding line to adjust the regulation of the same, for example, detecting defects of the plate-shaped bodies 101 fed along the line. direction D for subsequent treatment activities, useful for evaluating the actual surface finish of the plate-shaped bodies 101, as well as for giving the plate-shaped bodies 101 surfaces 1010 that meet the project specifications. Furthermore, according to the present invention, more modules 200 can be provided in succession along the conveyor belt 100, the number of which can vary according to needs and/or circumstances, and can be oriented differently with respect to the feeding direction of the plate-shaped bodies 101.

The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

Yo. Equipment (300) for surface sanding of bodies (101) in the form of plates, in particular tiles, said equipment (300) comprising support and feeding means comprising a conveyor belt (100) to support said bodies (101) plate-shaped and feeding said plate-shaped bodies (101) along a given feeding direction (D), so that during movement along said given direction, the surface of each said body (101 ) in the form of a plate to be sanded can be visible and accessible, said equipment (300) including a sanding module (200) comprising a main support frame (210) and support means (211) through which said frame (210) and the complete module (200) can be placed on said conveyor belt (100), said sanding module (200) being provided with sanding means (201) defining an abrasive sanding surface (214') and movement means (202) for moving said abrasive surface in contact with the visible surface of said plate-shaped bodies (101) in succession during movement thereof along said given feed direction (D); wherein said sanding means comprise a closed belt (201) that extends between two pulleys (204), (205) and develops along a trajectory comprising at least a rectilinear portion that defines said surface (214' ) sanding abrasive, said belt (201) being suitable to be actuated in rotation by means of said movement means (202), wherein said equipment comprises adjustment means (215) to regulate the contact pressure of said surface (214 ') sanding abrasive against said visible and accessible surface of said plate-shaped bodies (101), characterized in that said adjustment means (215) comprise a plurality of pressure elements (216) arranged in succession along said portion of said belt (201) between said two pulleys (204), (205), and because said frame (210) carries a support (211), in which the support (211) carries a linear actuator (217) for each pressure element (216), thus each of said pressure elements being carried movably transversely with respect to the surface of each said plate-shaped body (101) to be sanded, thus each of said elements ( 216) for exerting adjustable pressure against a respective portion of the inner surface of said closed belt (201) opposite said abrasive sanding surface (214'), wherein, consequently, pressure on said bodies (101) ) in the form of a plate exerted by the portion of said band (201) pushed by each one of said pressure elements (216) against said band (201) can be adjusted according to the needs and/or the circumstances. Equipment (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that said closed belt (201) extends along a direction (X) other than said direction (D) for feeding said plate-shaped bodies (101). Equipment (300) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said closed belt (201) can be oriented at will with respect to said feeding direction (D) of said plate-shaped bodies (101) between two end positions where it extends along two different directions, respectively a transverse direction and an oblique direction with respect to said feeding direction (D) of said plate-shaped bodies (101). Equipment (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the axes of rotation of said two opposite pulleys (204, 205) are parallel to each other and orientable with respect to said feeding direction (D) of said plate-shaped bodies (101). Equipment (300) according to claim 4, characterized in that a first pulley (205) of said two pulleys (204, 205) is driven in rotation by means of said movement means (202), while the second pulley (204 ) of said two pulleys (204, 205) is driven in rotation by means of said closed belt (201). Equipment (300) according to claim 5, characterized in that said movement means (202) comprise a power source (202) and transmission means (203) interposed between said power source (202) and said first pulley (205). ). Equipment (300) according to claim 6, characterized in that said transmission means comprise a third pulley (206) rigidly fixed to said first pulley (205) by means of a transmission shaft or shaft (209) and a belt (203). ) of transmission interposed between said power source (202) and said third pulley (206). Equipment (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by comprising adjustment means (212) for regulating the tension of said closed strap (201). Equipment (300) according to claim 8, characterized in that said adjustment means (212) are shaped to allow adjustment of the center-to-center distance between said first pulley (205) and said second pulley (204). Equipment (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by comprising a plurality of said modules (200) arranged in succession along said feeding direction (D) of said bodies (101) in the form of plate.