Marble kitchen tops, stone flooring, tiles and decorative stone tables– in the commercial world of stone and engineered stone products, the final output is all dependent on impeccable quality, high durability and aesthetic appeal are crucial to the final output.
During the manufacturing process, precision and efficiency are paramount. One of the key technologies that support this is vacuum pumps. Vacuum plays a crucial role in various stages of stone processing, from handling, molding and more. Here’s how it works!
Stages that use vacuum
Pressing and Shaping
Marble slabs are made with a mix of powder and resins. It is then set in molds to attain the desired shape and vibro pressed under vacuum to obtain uniform compact slab. Finally, it is dried in a oven and polished. Vacuum pumps are also integral to the cutting and shaping processes by removing air in the press by rapid cycle evacuation. Vacuum eliminates any defects and cracks. During cutting, is is also used to hold the stone in place on the cutting table, ensuring stability and precision.
Handling and Lifting
One of the primary applications of vacuum pumps in stone manufacturing is in the handling and lifting of heavy stone slabs. Traditional methods of lifting stone, such as using cranes or manual labor, can be cumbersome and pose safety risks. Lifters, powered by vacuum pumps, provide a safer and more efficient alternative. These lifters use suction to securely grip the stone, allowing for easy and and precise movement without damage to the workpiece.
Polishing and Finishing
After the stone has been cut and shaped, it undergoes polishing and finishing to achieve the desired surface texture and appearance. Vacuum pumps can be used in this stage to hold the stone securely while it is being polished. This ensures that the stone does not shift or move during the polishing process, which could result in uneven surfaces or damage. This way, you get achieve a high-quality finish with minimal defects, every time.
Benefits of Using Vacuum Pumps
The use of vacuum pumps in stone manufacturing offers several significant benefits:
Polishing marble countertop in workshop with power tool
Atlas Copco recommends
The challenges in the engineered stone manufacturing processes include contamination of vacuum machines due to the presence of chemical compounds like Styrene (a flammable liquid), high maintenance costs and less pump down performance. The speed requirements at different pressures and local other process-related issues requires, therefore, a vacuum pump that is both reliable and tolerant to contaminants.
To meet these requirements head-one, we recommend our oil-injected rotary vane vacuum pump - GHS VSD+. Whether stand-alone or in combination with a booster (depends on your specific production needs), the GHS offers better pumpdown performance, consistent production cycles, energy-saving features and easy maintenance throughout its lifetime. The Variable Speed Drive (VSD) of the pump. The pump is also more tolerant to contaminants like Styrene in the stone manufacturing process, making it a highly robust and reliable solution.