Method and machine for the surface treatment of a base ceramic article

A method for the surface treatment of a base ceramic article (CB) having at least one surface to be treated;

• the method comprises:
• a feeding step for a base ceramic article (CB), during which the base ceramic article (CB) is fed along a given path (P) in a feeding direction (A) through a first application station, a second application station, which is arranged downstream of the first application station, and at least a third application station, which is arranged downstream of the second application station;
• a first application step, during which a first printing assembly arranged at the first application station applies a first layer comprising (in particular, consisting of) a first material, which comprises (in particular, is) an adhesive material, in the area of at least a first defined zone of said surface to be treated;
• a second application step, during which a first depositing assembly arranged at the second application station selectively deposits a second layer comprising (in particular, consisting of) a first powder material on said first layer in the area of at least a first part of said first defined zone so that it sticks to said first layer and so as not to cover at least part of a second defined zone of said surface to be treated;
• and
• a third application step, during which a second printing assembly arranged at the third application station selectively applies a third layer comprising (in particular, consisting of) a second material, which comprises (in particular, consists of) an adhesive and/or covering material, on said second layer at a third defined zone, which is at least a portion of said first part of said first defined zone.

A machine for the surface treatment of a base ceramic article (CB) having at least one surface to be treated;

• the machine comprises:
• a conveying device to feed the base ceramic article (CB) along a given path (P) in a feeding direction (A) through a first application station, a second application station, which is arranged downstream of the first application station, and at least a third application station, which is arranged downstream of the second application station;
• a first printing assembly, which is arranged at the first application station and is configured to apply a first layer comprising (in particular, consisting of) a first material, which comprises (in particular, is) an adhesive material, on at least a first defined zone of said surface to be treated;
• a depositing assembly, which is arranged at the second application station and is configured to selectively deposit a second layer comprising (in particular, consisting of) a first powder material on said first layer;
• a control unit, which is configured to control (in particular, in a digital manner) said first depositing assembly in such a way that said first depositing assembly deposits said second layer in the area of at least a first part of said first defined zone so that it sticks to said first layer and so as not to cover at least part of a second defined zone of said surface to be treated;
• and
• a second printing assembly, which is arranged at said third application station and is configured to selectively apply a third layer comprising (in particular, consisting of) a second material, which comprises (in particular, consists of) an adhesive and/or covering material, on said second layer at a third defined zone, which comprises (in particular, is) at least a portion of said first part of the first defined zone.