Go to Tekna's Main
Page
Surface
Treatment - RoboStone
The ultimate
combination (thermal plasma and robot) brings out the crisp and beautiful texture
of natural and artificial stones instantaneously. The high temperature of
the plasma jet (beyond 10 000oC) creates a perfect finish
by removing only a thin surface layer of the stones in a flash and revealing
its beautiful crystalline texture. The system can be used to process stones
of any shape or to recycle rejects from other
stone finishing processes. It can also be used to process multiple shapes and patterns on tiles, slabs and free-standing parts for the first time.
Real
metal design on black granite and ceramic
System
description
Multifunctional robotized
equipment for stone manufacturing
By using a DC plasma
torch coupled to a robot, stone surfaces can be treated to generate anti-slip
surfaces and designs. In addition, metallic and ceramic designs can be produced
on top of such surfaces. The process is less expensive and of a higher quality
than traditional propane flaming methods.
| Electrical input: |
380/480/575 VAC 3 phase, 50/60
Hz, 100 kVA |
| Cooling water needs: |
Industrial cooling water 15
USGPM at 50 psig |
| City water: |
2 USGPM (8 lpm) @ 50 psig
(3 bar) |
| Exhaust: |
8 inch ducting, 700 scfm |
| Argon gas requirement: |
2 cfm (60 slpm) (only for arc
ignition) |
| Nitrogen gas requirement: |
2 cfm (60 slpm) (nitrogen generator
optional) |
The technology
and its advantages
A high-temperature plasma jet (10 000oC and beyond) is generated by the passage of
an inert gas into an electrical arc using the AS-1000 direct current (DC) plasma torch.
Advantages
of the plasma technology:
- very low maintenance and operation costs (cost analysis available upon
request)
- generates a beautiful anti-slip texture on floor tiles and paving
- high torch speed reduces thermal impact dramatically
- 20-40% less crack generation
- direct processing of thin tiles and slabs (10 mm) without breakage
- processing of cut-to-size stone surfaces of any shape
- processing of gangsaw slabs without cleaning
- recovers badly polished thin tiles and slabs
- very low particle fusion on granite surfaces
- high process versatility via adjustable parameters (adjustable texture depth)
- can be used to make real metal and ceramic coatings on stone surfaces
- can be used on TERRAZZO tiles made of cement and stone aggregates (no resin)
- ready-to-dry-and-pack stone products
- generates very low-maintenance stone paving and floor tiles
RoboStone
60 can process numerous stone products:
- thin 10 mm tiles (sawn, pre-polished, etc.)
- stone slabs
- cut-to-size pieces (tiles, slabs, rock boulders, etc.)
- badly polished natural and artificial stone tiles
- any shape (statues, monuments, steps, rock boulders, etc.)
- low-cost stone wastes from stone manufacturing plants
- terrazzo (cement and stone aggregates)
Particular
characteristics: GENERATES NEW TEXTURES
- real metal and ceramic
oxide coatings on stone surfaces – gives a sharp colour and a new finish with
metallic or ceramic powders such as copper, bronze, stainless steel, aluminum,
etc.
- Generates patterns and
lettering on stone surfaces
- Breaks small rock boulders
into smaller pieces
- Splits slabs
Performance
The production capacity
of the installation depends on the type of stones to be processed and the depth
of treatment required. Based on our experience with natural and artificial stone
tiles and slabs, production capacity of 150-250 ft2/h can be expected at processing
costs of USD $0.25/ft2 (USD $2.69/m2).
Typical users
- users who want to shorten the time needed to transform a design idea into
a finished product
- users who know that new technologies unleash a cycle of innovation that
upgrades or replaces old methods of operation and leads to new patterns of
growth
- users who refuse to spend money on things that fail to move the business forward
- users who know that cost-efficient innovations are the only solution to
fierce global free market competition
User-friendly
and intuitive operator interface
Go
to Tekna's Main Page