The working principle of a flexible stone shaping production line mainly involves several key processes such as raw material feeding, cutting, shaping, surface treatment and quality inspection. The detailed introduction is as follows:
Raw Material Feeding
Automatic Feeding Mechanism: The production line is equipped with an automatic feeding device. It uses conveyor belts, lifting platforms or robotic arms to transport raw stone materials from the storage area to the processing area. This process ensures a continuous and stable supply of raw materials, improving production efficiency.
Positioning and Alignment: Before processing, the raw stones need to be accurately positioned and aligned. Sensors and positioning devices are used to detect the position and size of the stones, ensuring that they are in the correct position for subsequent cutting and shaping operations.
Cutting Process
High-Precision Cutting Tools: The cutting part of the production line is equipped with various cutting tools, such as diamond wire saws and circular saws. Diamond wire saws use a wire rope with diamond particles to cut through the stone by means of high-speed reciprocating motion and abrasion. Circular saws, on the other hand, cut the stone by rotating a circular blade with diamond segments at high speed.
Computer-Controlled Cutting: The cutting process is controlled by a computer numerical control (CNC) system. Operators input cutting parameters such as cutting paths, depths and angles into the system. The CNC system then precisely controls the movement of the cutting tools to achieve accurate cutting of the stone according to the set requirements.
Shaping Process
CNC Milling and Grinding: For more complex shaping requirements, the production line uses CNC milling and grinding equipment. The equipment uses milling cutters and grinding wheels to remove excess material from the stone, gradually shaping it into the desired three-dimensional shape. The CNC system controls the movement of the milling cutters and grinding wheels with high precision to ensure the accuracy and smoothness of the shape.
Pressure and Forming: In some cases, pressure and forming methods are used for shaping. For example, hydraulic presses may be used to apply pressure to the stone in a mold to shape it into a specific form. This is particularly useful for producing stone products with regular shapes and uniform thickness.
Surface Treatment
Polishing and Finishing: After cutting and shaping, the stone surface needs to be polished and finished to improve its appearance and smoothness. Polishing machines use abrasive discs and polishing agents to polish the stone surface. Different grades of abrasive discs are used in sequence to gradually refine the surface, from rough grinding to fine polishing, until a mirror-like or matte finish is achieved as required.
Texturing and Coating: In addition to polishing, the production line can also perform texturing and coating operations on the stone surface. Texturing can create various surface textures such as flamed, bush-hammered or sandblasted finishes to enhance the anti-slip and decorative properties of the stone. Coating systems can apply protective coatings to the stone surface to improve its resistance to stains, weathering and wear.
Quality Inspection
Visual and Sensor Inspection: Throughout the production process, quality inspection is carried out at various stages. Visual inspection is performed by trained operators to check for obvious defects such as cracks, chips and uneven surfaces. In addition, sensors such as cameras and laser scanners are used to conduct non-contact inspections. They can detect minute defects and measure the dimensions and surface quality of the stone products with high accuracy.
Data Analysis and Feedback: The data collected from the quality inspection is analyzed by the control system. If any defects or deviations from the standards are found, the system will issue an alarm and provide feedback to the operators. The operators can then make adjustments to the production process in a timely manner to ensure that the quality of the products meets the requirements.
In general, the flexible stone shaping production line combines mechanical, electrical, computer and other technologies to achieve the automated and precise processing of stone materials, meeting the diverse needs of different stone products in the market.
