Devices used in the stone industry

In order to manufacture and produce building stones, we will need various equipment and devices. These devices will be different at each stage according to the need and application. In order to become familiar with stone processing devices and equipment used in the stone industry, it is first necessary to have comprehensive information about the work cycle in stone cutting, and at the same time, become familiar with the tools and devices needed in this industry.

Equipment used in the stone industry

Stone cutting machine

In all stone quarries, the first stage of production is stone cutting. First, the stone is removed from the quarry and brought to the production line. There are two types of processing and cutting lines for building stones. There are two devices for cutting stone in stone quarries, known as the peak cutter and the saw cutter. Each of these devices is used for a specific type of stone. Now we will get acquainted with each of these devices separately.

Sawing machine

The most common equipment used in the stone industry is a variety of sawing machines. Sawing machines have three types of diamonds. One of them remains fixed on a carriage and the blade holder unit lowers. The second type of blade holder remains fixed at a certain height and the stone block is moved vertically upwards. The third type of this machine is in a vertical position and the block moves horizontally. Another machine is a sawing machine called a hard saw, which uses cast iron and steel shavings instead of diamond blades. Hard saws consist of several blades, most of which have 150.

Block cutting machine is one of the most important stone processing machines.

Peak cutters come in various sizes and shapes. Peak cutters use circular blades made of diamond segments. The diameter of these discs starts from 15 centimeters or less and reaches about 300 centimeters. In this method, the desired rock is cut simultaneously by one or more parallel discs and they are formed into a plaque. An important point in this method is that about 20 percent of the diameter of the blades is placed deep into the rock for cutting. If you need to increase the cutting dimensions, you must increase the diameter of the disks.

Furnace machine

In the past, old methods were used to dry building stones after cutting, which was very time-consuming. But today, building stones are dried using radiant kilns. This system is such that it can create balanced heat throughout the kiln space, thereby creating greater strength in the stone. Another advantage of the kiln is that it is highly safe. Burners that operate with low gas pressure can increase the safety of the system in the best possible way. With several stages of kilning, a strong and durable stone can be obtained.

Net and epoxy

Other equipment used in the stone industry includes epoxy and mesh behind the stone. After the stones are completely dry, the stage of applying mesh to their back comes. In order to increase the durability and strength of the stone, mesh is attached to the back of the stone. The special meshes for this purpose, which have tiny holes, are attached to the back of the stone with an adhesive called epoxy. After the mesh and adhesive have bonded well, the stones can be sent back into the kilns to be fully processed.

In fact, with this process, the stone can increase its strength and prevent it from breaking and being damaged during transportation. Epoxy is also used on the back of the stone to fill any pores or cracks in the stone. This process also creates resistance and beauty on the stone. Epoxy is applied to the stone in the next step after filling the back of the stone.

Stone washing machine is one of the equipment used in the stone industry.

After going through the above steps, the stone enters the washing machine. This machine has pieces that act like a strong soap and intensively wash the stones that are moving in the production line. After passing through this stage, the stone is sent back to the drying machine or the oven. In this stage, the stone is dried again and passed through the UV device. The UV device, which acts on the stone with radiation, interacts with the stone and makes it stronger.

Polishing Machine

Another important stone processing device used in stone cutting is the Polishing machine. The Polishing machine that we will encounter in the production line, like the washing machine, has pieces that cause the stone to be worn and polished and shiny. Although the stages of sanding construction stone are different, in general, the pieces of this device have a hard and solid surface that, by rubbing on the stone, makes the stone shinier and more polished. When the stone passes this stage, it becomes extremely smooth, uniform and shiny. The sanding machine has different types, including 8-head, 12-head, 16-head, etc. The head refers to the number of abrasives used in this device to perform the stone grinding operation.

Work cycle in rock cutting with a Gangsaw

The equipment used in the stone industry for the production of different types of stone is different. The steps mentioned so far were for stone cutters that cut slabs and use saw cutting machines. In factories that cut tile stone (stone smaller than slabs) and have smaller dimensions than slabs, a peak cutting machine is used. In this part, the net and epoxy stage are not used and most of the stone processing is done. In the stone cutting part of this factory, a head and length cutting machine are used. The length cutting machine sizes the stone to a standard width of 40 centimeters. The peak cutting machine is also used to cut the stone when a fracture occurs. The rest of the steps are carried out entirely in the form of saw cutting factories mentioned in the previous part.