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| This
machine uses a metal wire or cable that is coated in diamond particles
and other abrasives for cutting large areas of stone. As the wire is
pulled across the surface of the stone a groove is worn into and
eventually all the way through the stone. It is commonly used to cut the
sides of the block so they are strait and flat. |
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| A
gang saw is made to do multiple cuts at the same time. In the stone
industry they are used to cut a large block into several slabs. These
machines can use the wire for the cutting or actual saw blades as well. |
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| A
bridge saw has a circular saw attached to a large cross member or
bridge. The Sam moves back and forth along this bridge and is used to
trim edges or to make strait cuts through slabs. |
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| CNC
machines are computer driven machines that use template information to
cut shapes in and out of the stone slabs. In the stone industry a CNC
machine's cutting tool can be an articulating circular saw or it can be
equipped with a water jet. CNCs are used most for cutting the final
shape for a countertop and also for cutting the holes for sinks and
faucets. |
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| Similar
to the polishing machines the edge polisher does the same but only does
the edges. The polishing disks are turned to the side, and as the slab
is sent through the disk smooth and polish the edges of the slab. |
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| Polishers
are equipped with a multitude of rotating disk that smooth and polish
the stone as it passes through the machine. Some machines are capable of
completing this task in one pass. |
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| These
tools use suction to grab and hold on to the stone. They are used to
hold the stone in place while the stone is being cut, and some can be
used to lift the stone and move it. |
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| A
water jet saw uses a high pressured stream of water to cut though the
stone. With this technology any shape at almost any size can be cut into
or out of the stone. The Water on some systems can create a stream that
produces up to 90,000 pounds per square inch of force. |
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| This
is a hand held tool, electric or pneumatic, that is used to put the
finishing polish on the decorative edge of the stone slab. |
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| Traditional
templates are made from thin wood, cardboard, and glue. With this
material an installer builds the desired shape of the counter top and
makes places for the sink faucets, and any other places where the stone
should be cut away. After the template is made the fabricator uses it to
cut the stone slab to fit. more>> |
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| Digital
template makers use laser or photographic technology to measure and
create a template so that a slab can be cut to the exact size and shape
that the counter top needs to be. Photographic templaters use sticker
markers that are placed on the corners of the cabinetry, and when all
the required places are marked some photographs are taken. The
photographs are then read by a program which makes the measurements and
allows you to create the final template. The laser devise shoots a laser
beam to specific points or corners of the cabinetry and the data
collected is read and measurements are recorded and this again allows
you to create a final template. The data from both of theses techniques
are entered on the CNC machine and the desired shape is cut. |
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