Stone Processing Line
Stone processing line is used to process different kinds of stones such as granite, marble, quartz etc. The process includes crushing, grinding and polishing.
Natural stone, such as marble and granite, has beautiful veins that are naturally formed by mineral imperfections. This is one of the most attractive features of these types of stones.
Crushing
In the field of mineral processing, crushing is a process that breaks up large rocks or boulders into smaller pieces. This can be done by compression between two surfaces or through the application of a force amplified by mechanical advantage.
Rocks are crushed in a variety of ways to produce the different sizes of aggregate that can be used for construction purposes, such as concrete for roadways or bituminous macadam. The rock is often screened before it is used, to ensure that only the best quality materials go into the project.
For many people, the idea of crushing is quite foreign, but this is a very common and useful technique. The principle is simple – two solid surfaces close in on each other and sufficient force is applied to the material’s molecules, which fracture and deform into the desired shape.
This type of process can be carried out using a variety of different machines. For example, a jaw crusher can be used to crush medium-sized materials to a smaller size. Another type of machine, the vertical shaft impact (VSI) crusher, is designed to break up very hard materials into smaller pieces that can be reformed or processed further.
The choice of a particular type of crushing equipment depends on the specific needs of each company, including production capacity, maintenance requirements and operational constraints. The selection process also takes Stone processing line into account the type of material being crushed and its ideal size.
There are three stages of the crushing process: coarse, medium and fine. Each stage produces a different final product.
Crushing is typically done at a quarry or in an industrial operation, where it is used to create concrete or other products that can be used in different projects. It can also be used to break up a mixture of raw materials, so that different parts of the mix have different properties.
For this reason, it is important to select a crushing system that will deliver the desired output. This can be done by assessing the different machines on the market and their capabilities and limitations. In addition, there are tools and software that can help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Grinding
Grinding is one of the most important manufacturing processes in industry, allowing the removal of material with high dimensional accuracy and consistency. It is particularly suited to processes involving large quantities of material such as in the aerospace, medical and automotive industries.
The grinding stones from Madjedbebe were used to sharpen edge-ground axes, grind animal tissues and process soft and hard seeds, as well as softer plant materials (roots, leaves and geophytes). Functional analyses of the artefacts reveal a highly diverse range of tasks, exemplary of the phenotypic plasticity of Homo sapiens dispersing out of Africa into Sahul.
Microscopic analysis of the ground surfaces and usewear on a sample of 104 grinding stones across seven occupation phases revealed a wide variety of stone morphologies, with 134 different ground surfaces recorded in cross-section. Using these as a guide, we divided the grinding stone assemblage into three types: filing stones, coupled stones and upper and lower stones.
Filing stones were recognised on 32 artefacts ( 31% of the total analysed assemblage, n = 25), characterised by their flat, generally square or rectangular ground surface. Coupled stones were identified on fifty artefacts ( 48%), characterised by the presence of an upper or lower stone to process an intermediate material and displaying wear indicative of this usage.
A total of 40 grinding stones ( 38%) from all occupation phases had usewear traces diagnostic of plant processing, including 26 artefacts with a bright, well-developed reticular use-polish that extended into the lower microtopography of the quartz grains. A further 16 artefacts had a reticulate (net-like) use-polish that did not extend into the lower microtopography of the grains but rather displayed a more diffuse, undulating pattern.
These reticulate patterns are reminiscent of Australian millstones, which have a distinctive reticulation pattern and are used in sustained back-and-forth grinding. The reticulation on some Phase 2 grinding stones was very distinctive and was associated with usewear consistent with seed processing.
Biochemical and residue tests were carried out on 94 artefacts from all of the grinding stones examined, with the presence of proteins, carbohydrates and sugars, fatty acids and haem detected on 81 artefacts ( 86%), suggesting that some of these artefacts were in contact with organic particles at some point during their life history. Residues of modern handling and acquired during storage were also detected on 24 artefacts (Supplementary Table S7).
Polishing
Polishing is a finishing process that aims to make the surface of a material smooth and shiny. It can be done with chemical compounds or abrasives.
The abrasive grains that are used in the polishing process act on the metal surface layer under the action of heat, friction, and pressure. They can also disperse or remove the traces of the original surface layer, allowing it to be cleaned to a point where it is sterile and clean.
Abrasive particles can also be mixed with a compound that provides the desired finish. The combination of abrasive and compound can help to improve the finished surface and increase its durability.
There are a number of different types of polishing methods, including mechanical, electrolytic, and chemical. All of them have advantages and disadvantages.
Mechanical polishing relies on cutting and plastic deformation of the work piece, whereas chemical polishing uses an agent to dissolve a protruding part of the work piece in a solution or chemical medium. This results in a uniformly polished surface.
Unlike mechanical polishing, chemical polishing can be done quickly and without the need for an abrasive tool. Typically, this process is used to produce very fine surfaces with high accuracy.
It is also possible to use chemical polishing to produce a reflective surface, such as for piping or to increase the sanitary properties of stainless steel. This method can also be done using lasers.
Dry-type mechanochemical polishing (MCP) involves a chemical reaction between the workpiece and abrasives under dry conditions. The abrasives cause the contacting areas to come under pressure, and the reaction causes softer mullites to form on the workpiece’s surface that are removed by the abrasives.
This process is commonly used for materials such as sapphire and iridium. This method can be performed in a laboratory environment or by hand.
The abrasive particles used in the polishing process can be made from silicon, aluminum oxide, or iron. These can be purchased in a variety of different grades. They can be either coarse or fine, depending on the application and the level of polish required.
Finishing
Creating an attractive, natural finish for your stone surfaces is an important part of the process of converting quarry blocks to slabs on a stone processing line. This includes a variety of hand and mechanical techniques such as sawing, drilling, grinding, honing, polishing and carving.
The type of surface finish you get for your stone will depend on the stone and its end use. This includes options for textured finishes such as leathered or antiqued, water blasted, and acid washed.
A leathered or antiqued finish amplifies the natural characteristics of the stone, making it appear less glossy and giving a smooth, slip-resistant feel. This finish is a good choice for areas where high traffic will occur.
It is an environmentally Stone processing line friendly type of finish, as it does not require chemicals. A high-pressured stream of water is used to remove particles from the surface, which can be done by hand or an automated machine.
This finish is available for a wide range of stone materials and can be applied retroactively to existing stone. This process creates a non-slip surface with a similar look to suede.
The most common type of brushed finish is obtained through the use of coarse rotary-type wire brushes that take away the softest particles from the stone. This is achieved by varying the brush coarseness and levels of force.
Another type of brushed finish is created by using a flame on the surface of the stone. This can help bring back the natural texture of the stone, or it can be used to align adjacent pieces along a particular plane.
A grooved finish is also produced by means of a rotary tool that carves linear grooves into the stone to direct water in the desired direction. This is a great option for areas where water will run over the stone such as walkways and driveways.
In masonry, this technique is typically used to create an overall finish in small areas or for a more pronounced effect on a whole wall. It can be accomplished in different colors, patterns and sizes to create a unique and appealing look.