Wire sawing machine having a portal structure for the cutting of material in block form

Abstract: The wire sawing machine comprises, according to the invention, a portal structure (11) having hollow-bodied vertical uprights (11.1), in each of which is provided a respective slide (13) sliding longitudinally. One slide (13) bears a driven pulley (16.1). The other slide (13) bears a stationary idle pulley (16.2). A rectilinear longitudinal guide (18) is fixed on each of the said two slides (13) and a respective carriage (19) is mounted to slide in the longitudinal direction along the said guide (18) of each slide (13). A control jack (20) is mounted on each slide (13) in a manner such as to cause corresponding travels of the respective carriage (19) in the longitudinal direction. Each carriage (19) bears a corresponding idle pulley (16.3) and a cutting wire (21) is wound in a closed ring and caused to circulate around the said four pulleys (16.1, 16.2, 16.3), which are arranged to be mutually coplanar. This arrangement ensures a correct tensioning of the cutting wire, a variable-geometry arrangement of the said wire and a compact design of the machine.

Description: The present invention relates to a wire sawing machine having a portal structure for the cutting of material in block form, for example blocks of stone, metal and the like (see for example FR-A-550 084). Wire sawing machines of the specified type are known. They generally comprise a portal structure having two uprights and a top cross-piece. In relation to this portal structure, a wire-type cutting tool, known as the "cutting wire" (i.e. a cable-like member made from steel or the like) in the form of a closed ring, is caused to circulate over a plurality of pulleys (one of which is driven) supported by the portal and is caused to move in a plane (hereinafter called for the sake of brevity the "cutting plane") substantially parallel to the vertical median plane dividing both the uprights and the cross-piece of the said portal (hereinafter referred to for brevity as the "median plane"). A block of material to be cut is arranged within the opening of the portal, for example on a convenient support means, in order to be cut crosswise in the cutting plane. The closed-ring cutting wire performs the cutting of the block in the cutting plane with its lower strand (the strand remote from the cross-piece of the portal), which is passed between at least two pulleys which are each supported to slide along a respective upright. To this end, the cutting wire is caused to perform a working travel between a raised position, in which its lower strand is not in contact with the block to be cut, and a lower position, in which the said strand has performed a cut passing transversely through the block within the cutting plane. After the cut has been made, the cutting wire performs a reverse travel until reaching its raised position of rest. Such known wire sawing machines are widely used. However, in such known wire sawing machines, the driving members and/or the tensioning members of the cutting wire are disposed substantially outside the overall profile of the portal structure, viewed frontally or dorsally. This fact gives rise to structural instabilities of the machine and significant vibrations during cutting, which also result in poor cutting quality and a high level of wear on parts of the machine, together with a significant bulk of the said machine, which sometimes restricts its possible uses and increases its production cost. Furthermore, in the known wire sawing machines of the specified type, the geometrical shape of the closed ring formed by the cutting wire cannot be changed (it being possible only to vary the tension of the wire forming it). This fact, therefore, makes it impossible to adapt the arrangement of the cutting wire in relation to the requirements of the cut to be performed and/or the material to be cut. The known wire sawing machines of the type indicated are not suitable for performing trimming or squaring operations on blocks of material simply and quickly and in areas lacking in suitable equipment, for example in a stone quarry. Furthermore, the known wire sawing machines are not self-propelling, which confines their use exclusively to suitably equipped facilities. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wire sawing machine having a portal structure for the cutting of material in block form, for example blocks of stone, metal and the like, which has high structural stability and little tendency to vibrate during cutting, in a manner such as to improve the cutting quality and reduce wear on the parts of the machine. Another object of the invention is to provide a wire sawing machine as specified which is compact, although possessing a broad free space in the portal structure for arranging the blocks to be cut therein, and is therefore more flexible in use and of substantially produced cost. A further object is that of providing a wire sawing machine as indicated in which the closed-ring cutting wire possesses shapes that can be varied in relation to the requirements of the cut to be made and the material to be cut. Yet another object is that of providing a wire sawing machine as specified which is structurally simplified and functionally reliable and safe. It is also an object of the invention to provide a wire sawing machine as specified above which makes it possible to undertake trimming and/or squaring operations on blocks of material, simply and quickly, even in areas lacking in suitable equipment, for example in a stone quarry. Yet another object is to provide a wire sawing machine as stated which is self-propelling for use in areas lacking in suitable equipment, for example in a stone quarry. With these objects in mind, the present invention provides a wire sawing machine having a portal structure for the cutting of material in block form according to claim 1. Further advantageous features are apparent from the subclaims. The abovementioned claims are fully incorporated here by way of reference. The present invention will be better understood from the detailed description which follows with reference to the illustrative drawings attached, in which: Fig. 1 is a view in frontal elevation of a wire sawing machine having a portal structure for the cutting of material in block form, according to a first example of embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2, 3 and 4 are views on an enlarged scale and in section, respectively along the lines II-II, III-III and IV-IV in Fig. 1 (the section in Fig. 4 being partial); Fig. 5 shows in perspective the wire sawing machine according to the invention in a second example of embodiment, suitable for the trimming and/or squaring of blocks, particularly of stonelike material; Figures 6 and 7 are views, respectively, in frontal elevation and lateral elevation of the sawing machine shown in Fig. 5, with parts shown cut away; Fig. 8 is a sectional view along the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7, with parts shown in section; Fig. 9 shows in perspective an alternative embodiment of the wire sawing machine according to Fig. 5; Figures 10 and 11 are views, respectively, in front elevation and in lateral elevation of the sawing machine shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 12 shows in perspective the wire sawing machine according to the invention in a third example of embodiment, suitable for trimming and/or squaring blocks, particularly of stonelike material; Figures 13 and 14 are views, respectively, in frontal elevation and in lateral elevation of the sawing machine shown in Fig. 12, with parts cut away; Fig. 15 is a view in section along the line XV-XV in Fig. 14, with parts cut away. First embodiment (Figures 1-4) In Fig. 1, 10 designates as a whole the wire sawing machine having a portal structure for the cutting of material in block form, according to the present invention. The said sawing machine 10 comprises a portal structure 11, stably fixed relative to a base 10.1, for example of concrete. The said portal structure 11 includes a pair of vertical hollow-bodied uprights 11.1 connected at the top by means of a horizontal joining cross-piece 11.2. Each hollow-bodied upright 11.1 is formed by a pair of strong metal sections 11.3, substantially of "U" shape (Figs 2, 3), facing each other at a distance apart so as to form a box-type body having two continuous vertical rectilinear slits 11.4 between the respective opposing flanges. The said slits 11.4 are open, respectively, on the front and back surfaces of the said upright 11.1. Fixed in each upright 11.1 are a pair of opposing vertical rectilinear guides 12 (Figs 2, 3), each arranged on an intermediate part of a respective section 11.3. Each guide 12 is formed by a metal section having substantially the shape of an equilateral "L", welded to the inner face of the said intermediate part of the section 11.3 along the outer edges of its flanges and having its intermediate outer angle located in the median vertical plane (hereinafter referred to for brevity as the "median plane") passing through both the uprights 11.1 and the cross-piece 11.2 of the portal structure 11. In each upright 11.1, a respective plate-type slide 13 is mounted to slide vertically, by means of a plurality of pairs of twinned idle rollers 13.1, having axes orthogonal to the said median plane and engaged in order to roll along the rectilinear guides 12. An electric geared motor (Fig. 1), which is reversible, is fixed relative to the cross-piece 11.2, substantially within the overall profile of the portal 11, viewed frontally or dorsally. It controls the rotation of a transmission shaft 14.1 supported transversely on the portal and along the cross-piece 11.2 by its axis which is substantially parallel to the said median plane. A long adjustment screw 15 is supported to rotate in each upright 11, having its axis vertical and substantially orthogonal relative to the axis of the transmission shaft 14.1, and from which the latter derives its rotary motion by means of a respective bevel gear 14.2. The said adjustment screw 15 is engaged by threaded coupling into a corresponding nut 15.1 (Fig. 1) fixed on the slide 13 sliding in the said upright 11.1 along the said guides 12, in a manner such that the rotation of the geared motor 14 in one direction or the other determines the corresponding vertical movement of the said slide 13 towards or away from the cross-piece 11.2, as the case may be. One of the two slides 13 bears on one of its faces (hereinafter referred to as the " front face") a driven pulley 16.1 (Figs 1, 4) arranged outside the respective upright 11.1 and having its shaft 16.11 with its axis substantially orthogonal relative to the said median plane and passing freely through one of the slits 11.4 (termed the front slit) of the respective upright 11.1. The said slide 13 bearing the said driven pulley 16.1 also bears, on its opposite face, an electric geared motor unit 17, whose output shaft 17.1 is coaxial with and kinematically linked to the shaft 16.11 of the driven pulley 16.1 and passes through the other slit 11.4 of the said upright 11.1. A geared motor 17.2 is cantilever-supported on the said slide 13, outside the said upright 11.1 but substantially within the overall profile of the said upright, viewed frontally or dorsally. The other slide 13 bears, on its front face, a stationary idle pulley 16.2 essentially coplanar with the said driven pulley 16.1 and arranged with its shaft having its axis substantially orthogonal relative to the said median plane and passing freely through the front slit 11.4 in the respective upright 11.1. The said idle pulley 16.2 and the said driven pulley 16.1 are each disposed in an area of the respective slide 13 remote from the cross-piece 11.2 and have their axes substantially contained within a single horizontal plane. A vertical rectilinear guide 18 (Figs 3, 4) is fixed on the front face of each slide 13, on the side closer to the cross-piece 11.2. This guide 18 comprises a metal plate parallel to and spaced from the plate-type slide 13 and possessing sharp-edged opposite flanks. Along the said rectilinear guide 18 of each slide 13, a respective carriage 19 is mounted to slide in the vertical direction by means of a plurality of pairs of twinned idle rollers 19.1, having their axes orthogonal relative to the said median plane and engaged to roll along the opposite flanks of the said guide 18. Furthermore, on the front face of each slide 13 is mounted a double-acting pneumatic jack 20, whose cylinder 20.1 is fixed to the slide 13 with its axis parallel to the vertical direction of sliding of the said slide. The stem 20.2 of the said jack 20 is connected to the carriage 19, in a manner such as to bring about, by means of its extension and retraction movements relative to the cylinder 20.1, corresponding travels in the vertical direction bringing the carriage 19 respectively closer to and farther from the cross-piece 11.2 of the portal structure 11. Each jack 20 is connected leaktightly in a respective pneumatic control circuit branched off from a compressed air source (known per se and not shown). Each carriage 19 bears a corresponding idle pulley 16.3, essentially coplanar with the said driven pulley 16.1 and stationary idle pulley 16.2, and arranged outside the respective upright 11.1, with its shaft having its axis substantially orthogonal to the said median plane and passing freely through the front slit 11.4 of the respective upright 11.1. The four pulleys 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3 all have identical diameters (reduced proportionately by comparison with the diameter of the pulleys of conventional sawing machines) and, in pairs 16.1/16.3 and 16.2/16.3, the said pulleys have their axes coplanar with the respective vertical median planes of the uprights 11.1, orthogonal to the said median plane. This arrangement helps to minimize the overall dimensions of the sawing machine 10, producing it in a compact form. A cutting wire 21 is wound in the form of a closed ring and caused to circulate around the said four pulleys 16.1, 16.2, 16.3. A protective casing 22, substantially in the shape of an inverted U, viewed frontally, covers the said pulleys with the cutting wire wound thereon, leaving exposed only the part of the lower strand 21.1 of the cutting wire 21 which performs the cut. This lower strand 21.1 extends transversely in the opening of the portal structure 11. By means of this arrangement, when the geared motor 14 causes the transmission shaft 14.1 to rotate, the two slides 13 slide in synchrony in the vertical direction (as a result of the rotation of the adjustment screws 15 interacting with the corresponding nuts 15.1) along the guides 12 in the respective uprights 11.1 of the portal structure 11, causing the cutting wire 21 to perform a working travel or a return travel, depending on the direction of rotation of the said motor, in a plane (called the "cutting plane") substantially parallel to the said median plane. In addition, the rotation of the geared motor 17.2 causes continuous circulation of the cutting wire 21 in the form of a closed ring by means of the driven pulley 16.1 and the turn pulleys 16.2, 16.3 around which the said wire is wound. When a block B (Fig. 1) of material to be cut is arranged within the opening of the portal 11, on an appropriate support means, such as a trolley C moveable on guide rails in order to be cut transversely in the cutting plane, the closed-ring cutting wire 21 - which is initially raised towards the cross-piece 11.2 out of contact with the block C - is led to perform its downward working travel by means of appropriate rotation of the geared motor 14. The cutting wire 21 thus performs, with its lower strand 21.1, a cut passing through the block C in the cutting plane, arriving in the bottom position of its lower travel. The cut having been made, the cutting wire 21 is caused to perform a reverse travel until reaching its raised position of rest, by reverse rotation of the geared motor 14. Furthermore, as is apparent from the foregoing, each slide 13 bears a respective pair of pulleys 16.1/16.3, 16.2/16.3, the distance between the centres of which can be varied by means of an appropriate vertical travel of the carriage 19 bearing the respective idle pulley 16.3 along the corresponding guide 18, this taking place by the extension or retraction of the stem 20.2 of the associated pneumatic jack 20. This arrangement ensures, first, a correct tensioning of the closed cutting wire 21 by means of tensioning means contained within the hollow body of the uprights 11.1 of the portal 11, that is within the overall profile of the said portal, while secondly it also makes it possible to use the said cutting wire in accordance with a closed geometry which can be varied depending on the requirements of the cut to be performed and the material to be cut, for example by keeping the part which performs the cut appropriately aligned relative to the piece to be cut. It should be noted that, in the abovementioned portal structure 11, which is fixed relative to the base 10.1, the vertical direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of its uprights 11.1. This clarification is provided in the interests of the correct interpretation of the claims and of the description given below of the other illustrative forms of embodiment of the present invention. Second embodiment (Figures 5-8) In Fig. 5, 110 designates as a whole the wire sawing machine according to the invention, here designed for the trimming and/or squaring of blocks, especially of stonelike material. The said sawing machine 110 comprises a portal structure 111, supported relative to a substantially trestle-type support 110.2, in a manner such as to oscillate relative to a substantially horizontal axis X-X so that a block B (Fig. 5) of material to be trimmed or squared can be arranged through the opening of said portal 111. The free lower ends of the uprights 111.1 of the said portal 111 are very close to the base of the said trestle-type support 110.2. The said trestle-type support 110.2 includes a pair of vertical columns 110.21, external relative to the uprights 111.1 of the portal 111 and connected at the top by means of a cross-piece 110.22. Advantageously, the said trestle-type support 110.2 is mounted on a pair of wheeled shoes 110.3, each shoe 110.3 being fixed to the foot of an associated column 110.21. Each shoe 110.3 possesses a pivoting wheel 110.31 and a wheel 110.32 which is driven to rotate by means of its own motor means 110.33 (Figs. 7, 8), preferably under remote control. In this manner, the sawing machine 110 is self-propelled. The said portal structure 111 is connected in an oscillating manner to the said trestle-type support 110.2 by means of a cylindrical hinged pivot 110.4 (Fig. 7), provided between the uprights 111.1 of the portal 111 and the said cross-piece 110.22 of the support 110.2 and allowing its oscillation about the said axis X-X. Means 110.5 (Fig. 7) for regulating the portal structure 111 and locking it in an oscillating position about the said axis X-X relative to the said trestle-support 110.2 are provided between the said portal 111 and the said support. The said regulating and locking means 110.5 include, in accordance with the example shown, an adjustment screw 110.51 having a substantially horizontal axis and articulated at one of its ends by a kinematic connecting-rod-and-crank connection to an upright 111.1 of the said portal 111. The said adjustment screw 110.51 is engaged by a threaded coupling in a corresponding nut 110.52 supported to rotate about the axis of the screw 110.51 relative to a column 110.21 of the support 110.2. By means of manual rotation of the said nut 110.52 in one direction or the other the extension or retraction of the corresponding adjustment screw 110.51 is caused, consequently making the said portal structure 111 oscillate in opposite directions about the axis X-X as shown in broken lines in Figures 5 and 7. In the said wire sawing machine 110 having a portal structure 111 for the cutting of material in block form and as explained above with reference to the first embodiment, a wire-type cutting tool, known as the "cutting wire" in the form of a closed ring, is caused to circulate over four pulleys 113 (one of which is driven) supported by the portal 111 and mutually coplanar, and is caused to move in a plane hereinafter called the "cutting plane", substantially parallel to the median plane dividing both the uprights 111.1 and the cross-piece 111.2 of the said portal, so that when a block of material to be cut is arranged within the opening of the portal, for example on a convenient support means, it can be cut crosswise in the cutting plane. To this end the closed-ring cutting wire 112 performs the cutting of the block in the cutting plane with its lower strand (the strand remote from the cross-piece of the portal), while it circulates between the said pulleys 113, which are slidingly supported along the said uprights 111.1 of the portal structure 111, performing with a working travel between a raised position, in which its lower strand is not in contact with the block to be cut, and a lower position, in which the said strand has performed a cut passing transversely through the block within the cutting plane. After the cut has been made, the cutting wire 112 performs the reverse travel until reaching its raised position of rest. By means of this arrangement, when it is desired to trim and/or square a block B of stonelike or similar material, for example in a quarry yard, the sawing machine 110, with its cutting wire 112 in the raised position of rest, is caused to move towards the said block B until its portal 111 is arranged astride the said block, in the appropriate position. Then, by acting upon the regulating and locking means 110.5 the portal 111 is oriented about the axis X-X at an inclination relative to the horizontal corresponding to that of the face of the block which it is desired to trim or square. The cut is made, the cutting wire 112 then being returned to its raised position of rest. This sequence may be repeated until the block B has been completely trimmed and/or squared. It should be noted that the regulating and locking means may comprise a pneumatic jack to replace the adjustment screw and the corresponding nut. Alternative embodiment (Figures 9-11) The wire sawing machine according to the invention is here indicated by 110' and is substantially similar in structure and function to the wire sawing machine 110 described above with reference to Figures 5-8. The parts of the sawing machine 110' similar to those of the sawing machine 110 are indicated by the same reference numerals and are not further described. As an alternative embodiment, the trestle-type support 110.2 of the sawing machine 110' is mounted on a pair of shoes 120 having tracks 121, each shoe being fixed to the foot of a respective column 110.21 of the said trestle-type support 110.2. The sawing machine 110' is thus self-propelled. The said tracks 121 are controlled by means of respective motor means (known per se), preferably under remote control. Furthermore, in the sawing machine 110', means 130 (Fig. 11) are provided for regulating and locking the oscillating portal structure 111 in a position of oscillation about the said axis X-X. The said regulating and locking means 130 include, as a variation on the corresponding means 110.5 of the sawing machine 110, reversible electric geared motor means 131 which selectively drive in rotation, and in opposite directions, the nut 110.52, so as to bring about the corresponding extension or retraction of the respective adjustment screw 110.51, causing the said portal structure 111 to pivot, relative to the trestle-type support 110.2, in opposite directions about the axis X-X, as shown in Figures 9 and 11. Otherwise, reference is made to the foregoing description of the second embodiment of the present invention. Third embodiment (Figures 12-15) In Fig. 12, 210 designates as a whole the wire sawing machine according to the invention, here designed for the trimming and/or squaring of blocks, particularly of stonelike material. The said sawing machine 210 comprises a portal structure 211 for the cutting of a block, for example of stone, arranged in the opening of the said portal 211 and supported by means of a pair of wheeled shoes 210.2. Each shoe 210.2 is fixed to the foot of a respective upright 211.1 of the portal structure 211. Preferably, the said wheels are adapted to slide along guide rails, and each shoe 210.2 comprises an idle wheel 210.21 and a wheel 210.22 that is driven to rotate by means of its own motor means 210.23 (Figs. 14, 15), preferably under remote control. In this manner, the sawing machine 210 is self-propelled. The said motor means 210.23 are controlled so as to bring about synchronized rotations of the respective controlled wheels 210.22, for example in order to bring about stepwise movements of the sawing machine 210 along corresponding guide rails. To this end, the said motor means 210.23 are controlled in a synchronized manner by means of respective encoder means. In the said wire sawing machine 210 having a portal structure 211 for the cutting of material in block form (as explained above with reference to the abovementioned first embodiment of the invention), a wire-type cutting tool 212, known as the "cutting wire", in the form of a closed ring, is caused to circulate over a plurality of pulleys 213 (one of which is a drive pulley) supported by the portal 211 and mutually coplanar, and is caused to move in a substantially vertical plane the "cutting plane" so that when a block of material to be cut is arranged within the opening of the portal, for example on a convenient support means, it can be cut crosswise in the cutting plane. The closed-ring cutting wire 212 performs the cutting of the block in the cutting plane with its lower strand (the strand remote from the cross-piece of the portal), while it circulates between the said pulleys 213, which are slidingly supported along the said uprights 211.1 of the portal structure 211, performing a working travel between a raised position, in which its lower strand is not in contact with the block to be cut, and a lower position, in which the said strand has performed a transverse through cut or trimming cut of the block within the cutting plane. After the cut has been made, the cutting wire 212 performs the reverse travel until reaching its raised position of rest. By means of this arrangement, when the sawing machine 210 is arranged to travel by means of its wheels 210.21, 210.22 on a pair of corresponding guide rails R, along which and between which are aligned a plurality of blocks of stonelike or similar material to be cut or trimmed by means of the said sawing machine (Fig. 12), the latter is caused to move, for example by a series of steps, until vertically above each region of each block in which it is desired to make a through cut or a trimming cut and it performs the said cuts sequentially, so as to optimize the processing times and substantially reduce non-working periods. It should be noted that each shoe may be provided with wheels for travelling on the ground instead of on guide rails.

Claims: Wire sawing machine having a portal structure for the cutting of material in block form, for example blocks of stone, metal and the like in which a wire-type cutting tool, known as the "cutting wire", in the form of a closed ring, is caused to circulate over a plurality of pulleys, one of which is driven, supported by the portal and is caused to move in a plane hereinafter called the cutting plane substantially parallel to the vertical median plane dividing both the uprights and the cross-piece of the said portal hereinafter referred to as the median plane, so that a block of material to be cut is arranged within the opening of the portal, on a convenient support means, in order to be cut crosswise in the cutting plane, the closed-ring cutting wire performs the cutting of the block in the cutting plane with its lower strand, remote from the cross-piece of the portal, which is passed between at least two pulleys which are each supported to slide along a respective upright, performing a working travel between a raised position, in which its lower strand is not in contact with the block to be cut, and a lower position, in which the said strand has performed a cut passing transversely through the block within the cutting plane and, after the cut has been made, the cutting wire performs a reverse travel until reaching its raised position of rest, characterized in that the said portal structure (11, 111, 211) includes a pair of hollow-bodied vertical uprights (11.1, 111.1, 211.1), in that , within each hollow-bodied upright, a respective slide (13) is mounted to slide longitudinally, in that one of the said two slides (13) supports a driven pulley (16.1) arranged outside the respective upright and having its shaft (16.11) with its axis substantially orthogonal relative to the said median plane and passing freely through a continuous longitudinal slot (11.4) of the respective upright, in that the other of the said two slides (13) supports a stationary idle pulley (16.2), essentially coplanar relative to the said driven pulley (16.1), having its shaft with its axis substantially orthogonal relative to the said median plane and passing freely through a continuous longitudinal slit (11.4) in the respective upright, in that a longitudinal rectilinear guide (18) is fixed on each of the said two slides (13), in that a respective carriage (19) is mounted to slide in the longitudinal direction along the said rectilinear guide (18) of each slide (13), in that a control jack (20) is mounted on each of the said two carriages (13) so as to cause, during the extension and retraction travels of its stem (20.2), corresponding travels in the longitudinal direction of the said carriage (19), in that each carriage (19) bears a corresponding idle pulley (16.3), essentially coplanar relative to the said driven pulley (16.1) and stationary idle pulley (16.2), arranged outside the respective upright, having its shaft with its axis substantially orthogonal relative to the said median plane and passing freely through the slit (11.4) of the respective upright, and in that a cutting wire (21) is wound in the form of a closed ring and is caused to circulate around the said four pulleys (16.1, 16.2, 16.3), so that each slide (13) supports a pair of pulleys (16.1/16.3, 16.2/16.3), the distance between whose centres can be varied by means of an appropriate travel in the longitudinal direction of the respective carriage (19) bearing an idle pulley (16.3) along the corresponding guide (18), which travel is caused by extension or retraction of the stem (20.2) of the associated control jack (20), this arrangement ensuring, first, correct tensioning of the closed-ring cutting wire (21) by means of tensioning means contained within the hollow body of the uprights of the portal (11, 111, 211), that is within the overall profile of the said portal, while, secondly, it makes it possible to use the cutting wire (21) in accordance with a closed-ring geometry that can be varied depending on the requirements of the cut to be performed and the material to be cut, for example by keeping the part which performs the cut appropriately oriented relative to the piece to be cut. Wire sawing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said slide (13), bearing on one of its faces the said driven pulley (16.1), also bears, on its opposite face, a controlling geared motor unit (17), whose output shaft (17.1) is kinematically linked to the shaft (16.11) of the said driven pulley (16.1) and passes through a slit (11.4) of the said upright (11.1, 111.1, 211.1) opposite the slit (11.4) through which the shaft (16.11) of the said driven pulley passes, so that a geared motor (17.2) of the said unit (17) is cantilever-supported relative to the said slide (13) outside the said upright and substantially within the overall profile of the said upright, viewed frontally or dorsally. Wire sawing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a controlling geared motor (14), which is reversible and fixed relative to the portal (11, 111, 211) substantially within the overall profile of the said portal, viewed frontally or dorsally, which geared motor (14) turns a transmission shaft (14.1), supported transversely on the portal and along the cross-piece (11.2) with its axis parallel to the said median plane, and in that it further comprises an adjustment screw (15) supported to rotate in each upright (11.1, 111.1, 211.1) with its axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the said upright and substantially orthogonal relative to the axis of the transmission shaft (14.1), from which the screw derives the rotary motion, the said adjustment screw (15) being engaged by threaded coupling in a corresponding nut (15.1) fixed relative to the slide (13) sliding in the said upright along respective guides (12), in a manner such that the rotation of the said controlling geared motor (14), in one direction or the other, determines the corresponding longitudinal travel of the said slide (14) along the associated upright of the portal structure. Wire sawing machine according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the said four paired pulleys (16.1/16.3, 16.2/16.3) have their axes coplanar in respective vertical median planes of the uprights (11.1), orthogonal to the said median plane. Wire sawing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said driven pulley (16.1) and the said stationary idle pulley (16.2) are each arranged in the same zone of the respective slide (13), for example the zone remote from the cross-piece (11.2). Wire sawing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that each hollow-bodied upright (11.1) is formed by a pair of metal sections (11.3), substantially of " U" shape, facing each other at a distance apart so as to form a box-type body having two continuous longitudinal rectilinear slits (11.4) between the respective opposing flanges. Wire sawing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, used for the trimming and/or squaring of blocks, particularly of stonelike material, characterized in that it comprises a portal structure (111) supported relative to a substantially trestle-type support (110.2), in a manner such as to oscillate relative to an essentially horizontal axis (X-X), and in a manner such that a block of material to be trimmed or squared can be arranged through the opening of the said portal, so that, in order to trim and/or square a block (B) of stonelike or similar material, the said portal is arranged astride the said block, the portal is oriented about the said axis (X-X) at an inclination relative to the horizontal corresponding to that of the face of the said block which it is desired to trim or square, and the cut is performed, this sequence being repeated until the block (B) has been completely trimmed and/or squared. Wire sawing machine according to Claim 7, characterized in that the said trestle-type support (110.2) includes a pair of columns (110.21) which are external relative to the uprights (111.1) of the portal (111) of the said sawing machine (110; 110'). Wire sawing machine according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the said trestle-type support (110.2) is mounted on a pair of wheeled shoes (110.3). Wire sawing machine according to Claim 9, characterized in that each shoe (110.3) comprises a pivoting wheel (110.31) and a wheel (110.32) which is driven to rotate by means of its own motor means (110.33), preferably under remote control, so that the sawing machine (110) is self-propelled. Wire sawing machine according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the said trestle-type support (110.2) is mounted on a pair of shoes (120) on tracks (121), the said tracks being controlled by means of motor means, preferably under remote control, so that the sawing machine (110') is self-propelled. Wire sawing machine according to Claim 7, characterized in that the said portal structure (111) is connected in an oscillating manner to the said trestle-type support (110.2) by means of a cylindrical hinged pivot (110.4), provided between the uprights (111.1) of the said portal structure and the said cross-piece of the support (110.2) and allowing its oscillation about the said axis (X-X). Wire sawing machine according to Claim 7 or 12, characterized in that it comprises means (110.5; 130) for regulating and locking the said portal structure (111) in a position of oscillation about the said axis (X-X) relative to the said trestle-type support (110.2). Wire sawing machine according to Claim 13, characterized in that the said regulating and locking means (110.5; 130) include an adjustment screw (110.51), articulated at one of its ends relative to the said portal (111) and engaged by a threaded coupling in a corresponding nut (110.52) supported relative to the support (110.2). Wire sawing machine according to Claim 13, characterized in that the said regulating and locking means include jack means articulated between the said portal structure (111) and the said support (110.2). Wire sawing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, used for cutting and/or trimming, for example in essentially vertical planes, of blocks, particularly of stonelike material, characterized in that it comprises a portal structure (211) supported by means of a pair of wheeled shoes (210.2), so that the sawing machine (210) is arranged to travel by means of its wheels (210.21, 210.22) on a running track (R), along which and between which are aligned a plurality of blocks of stonelike or similar material to be cut or trimmed, and the machine is caused to move, for example by a series of steps, until vertically above each region of each block in which it is desired to make a through cut or a trimming cut and it performs the said cuts sequentially, so as to optimize the processing times and substantially reduce non-working periods. Wire sawing machine according to Claim 16, characterized in that each shoe (210.2) is fixed to the foot of a respective upright (211.1) of the portal structure (211). Wire sawing machine according to Claim 16, characterized in that each shoe (210.2) comprises a idle wheel (210.21) and a wheel (210.22) which is driven to rotate by means of its own motor means (210.23), preferably under remote control, so that the machine (210) is self-propelled. Wire sawing machine according to Claim 16, 17 or 18, characterized in that the said wheels (210.21, 210.22) are provided to travel along corresponding guide rails (R). Wire sawing machine according to Claim 18, characterized in that the said motor means (210.23) are controlled to bring about synchronized rotations of the respective controlled wheels (210.22), for example in order to cause stepwise displacements of the sawing machine (210). Wire sawing machine according to Claim 20, characterized in that the said motor means (210.23) are controlled in a synchronized manner by means of respective encoder means.

Inventors: BROCCO EMILIO, BROCCO, EMILIO
Applicants: CO FI PLAST S R L, CO.FI.PLAST. S.R.L.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B28D1
IPC codes: B23D57, B28D1