Method and apparatus for producing engineered stone slabs

A method for producing engineered stone slabs, the method comprising the steps of:

• compressing a damp composite material to form compressed composite material;
• fragmenting the compressed composite material into a plurality of fragments of the composite material;
• depositing at least some of the plurality of fragments onto a surface, which is supported by a supporting structure;
• and then
• using a height limiting device, in a height limiting step, to disrupt the plurality of fragments so a height of the fragments at the highest point from the supporting structure is substantially the same height as the height limiting device from the supporting structure;
• and then
• using a digital printing device, in a first digital printing step, to print an image onto at least part of a top and side walls of at least some of the plurality of fragments;
• and then
• depositing additional damp composite material onto at least some of the plurality of fragments;
• and then
• using a digital printing device, in an additional digital printing step, to print an image onto at least part of at least some of the additional damp composite material;
• and then
• using a press roller to press, flatten and stretch the plurality of fragments into a slab.