Method of ageing manufactured building components

A method of ageing stones having top and bottom faces and side faces, peripheral edges defining said top and bottom faces and edges extending substantially perpendicular to the peripheral edges and defining said side faces, said method including:

• a) providing an array of stones;
• b) maintaining the stones in the array;
• c) beating the stones whilst being maintained in the array by subjecting the stones in the array to a vibratory movement between two oppositely facing surfaces in an ageing station;
• d) permitting the stones of the array to have the freedom to move relative to one another during the vibratory movement;
• e) said relative freedom of movement involving lateral tilting movements between the stones of the array, thereby causing the said peripheral edges to impact against the two oppositely facing surfaces as well as against one another, whereby said vibratory movement causes distressing of the said peripheral edges of the stones without breaking the side faces and edges defining the side faces of the stones;
• and
• f) with the said oppositely facing surfaces of the stones being disposed at such a distance from each other that the lateral tilting movements do not destroy the integrity of the array of aged stones when the aged array of stones is removed from the aging station.