Automated stoneworking system and method
AssigneePark Industries, Inc.
InventorsThomas L. Schlough, Robert A. Penas, James P. O'Connor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automated stoneworking system and method for cutting and shaping various stone materials, such as marble and granite, in any number of preprogrammed fashions so as to eliminate the need for manual stoneworking operations.
Claims61
A automated stoneworking apparatus, comprising:
- (a) cutting means for forming a cut-edge on a generally planar stone article of a predetermined thickness dimension;
- (b) shaping means for shaping said cut-edge of said stone article;
- (c) transportation means for selectively transporting said cutting means and said shaping means along three mutually perpendicular axes relative to said stone article, said stone article remaining stationary;
- and
- (d) processing means communicatively coupled to said cutting means, said shaping means, and said transportation means for selectively directing said cutting means, said shaping means, and said transportation means to automatically cut and shape said stone article along a predetermined travel path and through the predetermined thickness dimension thereof.
An automated stoneworking apparatus for producing a predetermined edge configuration on a generally planar stone article of a predetermined thickness dimension, comprising:
- (a) cutting means having a stone cutting blade assembly for selectively cutting said stone article along a predetermined path and through the thickness dimension of the stone article to create an edge surface;
- (b) grinding leans for selectively grinding said stone article over said edge surface;
- and
- (c) means for selectively engaging said cutting means and said grinding means along three mutually perpendicular axes relative to with said stone article to produce a predetermined edge configuration on said stone article over the entire thickness dimension thereof.
A method of automatically producing a predetermined edge configuration on a generally planar stone article of a predetermined thickness, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an automated stoneworking apparatus including cutting means having a cutting blade for sawing through the thickness of said generally planar stone article creating a cut-edge, shaping means for shaping said cut-edge of said stone article, transportation means for selectively transporting said cutting means and said shaping means in directions alone three mutually perpendicular axes relative to said stone article, and processing means communicatively coupled to said cutting means, said shaping means, and said transportation means for selectively directing said cutting means, said shaping means, and said transportation means;
- and
- (b) programming said processing means to selectively direct said cutting means, said shaping means, and said transportation means to produce a predetermined edge configuration on said stone article while said stone article remains stationary.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.