A contribution for an optimization of the polishing quality of stone slabs: simulation and experimental study using a single-head polishing machine

Authors

  • A. R. Barbosa Universidade de Lisboa, IDMEC & Dept. of Mech. Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
  • A. Coelho FrontWave, Rua do Comércio nº15, 7150-321 Borba, Portugal
  • J. C. Fernandes Universidade de Lisboa, IDMEC & Dept. of Mech. Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
  • P. M. Amaral Universidade de Lisboa, IDMEC & Dept. of Mech. Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
  • L. G. Rosa Universidade de Lisboa, IDMEC & Dept. of Mech. Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
  • J. C. Pereira Universidade de Lisboa, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13154/icscm.3.2015.178-187

Keywords:

Polishing, Pressure, Water Flow, Ornamental Stone, Gloss, Frankfurt Abrasives, Modelling

Abstract

This paper describes recent research regarding: 1) the influence of the water flow and the pressure
in order to attain the best polishing in portuguese limestones; 2) the experimental validation of a
polishing simulator under development at Instituto Superior Tecnico (Lisbon). The research work
was carried out using slabs of calcareous stone Moleanos, from Portugal, and the polishing
sequence employed commercial Frankfurt-type abrasive tools applied for the last 3 stages of the
process in order to attain maximum surface gloss. The study was conducted with a single-head
laboratory-type polishing machine, where all test conditions are adequately monitored and
controlled. The polishing head contains 6 Frankfurt abrasives of the same grit size (320#, 400# and
5Extra). The surface quality was assessed, after each polishing stage, by means of a glossmeter.
In the end, it was possible to identify the optimum working parameters for each polishing stage.
The results obtained also show that indeed a correlation exists between experimental values of
gloss and the abrasion data given by the simulator.

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Published

2015-11-25

Issue

Vol. 3 (2015)

Section

Session 6

How to Cite

A contribution for an optimization of the polishing quality of stone slabs: simulation and experimental study using a single-head polishing machine. (2015). International Conference on Stone and Concrete Machining (ICSCM), 3, 178-187. https://doi.org/10.13154/icscm.3.2015.178-187