Marble Processing : Different Stages

Marble processing is a fascinating art.

From the quarry and until they are loaded onto containers ready for shipment, marble slabs go through different transformation phases.
Depending on the needs, each block of marble is cut in slabs or as per the required measures in order to build staircases or to be used
in flooring, wall tiling, etc.

Processing stages

Marble mining
Arrival and unloading of marble blocks
Marble cutting
Strengthening and polishing
Slab storage
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FIRST STAGE OF MARBLE PROCESSING: MINING


Nature is in charge of providing marble with its shape and colour for thousands of years.
Therefore, this is always a unique, rare material.

Mostly composed of calcium carbonate, marble has been and continues to be used as a construction and decorative material, due to its beauty
 and resistance.

Marble is currently being obtained from open cast quarries such . But also from underground quarries.

Extraction methods and the resulting marble block sizes will depend on the quarry in question. Marble quarrying is usually done in
vertical cuts. However, there are also cases where it is also done in horizontal cuts. This shall depend on the area’s morphology.

The resulting block comprises 6 parallel sides. Each of these sides weighs between 6 and 15 tonnes. In regards to dimension, it can be
between 2.2 and 3 metres. Width can also be 1.2 to 1.5 metres, with 0.9 to 1.2 metres in height.

BLOCK CLASSIFICATION
Once each block is extracted from the quarry, these are classified based on certain quality criteria, such as:

Block size
Tones
Amount of streaks: the lower the amount of streaks, the higher quality and better classification.
Cleanliness: clean materials are those with no stains
Cracks
Depending on how each block is classified, this will determine the marble’s price.


ARRIVAL AND UNLOADING OF MARBLE BLOCKS


Once the blocks have been extracted from the quarry, these are transported by lorries to the manufacturers for processing. At each
production centre, the blocks are unloaded and classified in the blocks yard prior to being sawed.

Due to their large dimensions and heavy weight, the blocks need to be moved and handled with cranes and specific machines, both during
loading/ unloading and during processing.

Blocks are generally stored outdoors in the block yard until the next phase: the marble processing phase.

MARBLE CUTTING


Marble is cut using multiwire or block cutters. Depending on their dimensions, blocks may be cut using different methods, i.e., large blocks will be processed in the multi wire cutter, while smaller, irregular blocks will be cut using block cutters. The aim is to make the most of the block’s measurements by reducing any waste as much as possible.

Other features such as the type of marble, quality, required materials (slabs, tiles or staircases) shall also influence the choice of block to be cut.

Multiwire cutters will produce slabs. On the other hand, block cutters will produce strips that will be subsequently processed by the mitre saw or cutter in order to create tiles.

Slabs have a maximum width of 1.8 and 2 metres. Their maximum thickness is 1.5 cm.

Whereas standard marble tiles have a thickness of between 0.9 and 2 cm and are available

MULTIWIRE MARBLE CUTTING
Blocks are introduced in the machine by means of a platform that simplifies their movement.

They comprise diamond wires that can cut the block in a vertical direction. In this manner, they are able to obtain as many slabs as the
number of wires they are equipped with. A block will usually take around 8 hours to cut.

Once the block has been sawed, the slabs are processed individually in a production chain.

MARBLE BLOCK CUTTING
In the case of highly irregular blocks, cutting performance levels will drop and therefore, there will be additional costs. For this reason, we use block cutters instead.

Block cutters are equipped with a large diameter diamond saw blade to cut blocks in a vertical direction. These cuts are made in both directions.

At the same time, these also include a further horizontal saw blade to cut the strips once the right vertical thickness has been achieved.

Once the strips are obtained, these are processed in the cutter to obtain the desired measurements.

Rameshwaram Marble

MARBLE STRENGTHENING AND POLISHING


Slabs are taken to the production line for further processing. As a first step, the material is strengthened by attaching a mesh for further resistance.

Following, the marble is subject to an abrasion process in order to change its appearance and to produce different finishes:

Polishing: in this case we enhance the marble’s shine and colour by leaving a smooth, glossy surface. Polishing time will vary depending on the block dimensions. It can usually take between 45 and 60 minutes.
Honing: consists of achieving a matt, shine free surface. Its main difference with the raw marble is that this finish removes all cutting marks.
Ageing: this finish provides natural stonework with a rugged, shine free aspect resembling natural wear and tear.
Bush hammering: produces a coarser finish providing additional grip, which makes it ideal for outdoor areas.
Sanding: This finish achieves a much less coarse surface than the bush hammering process.
Split face: this is the most rustic finish, which can achieve a very rugged surface.


And this would be the very last stage in the marble preparation process in the case of slabs that are ready for sale. Otherwise, the slabs would be subject to further cutting and finishing procedures.

 SLAB STORAGE


Once the corresponding finish has been applied, the slabs will be ready for display or will go directly to packaging ready for shipment.

MARBLE LOADING AND SHIPMENT


Marble attracts a great deal of interest worldwide. For that reason, you can easily find it anywhere in the world. As previously mentioned, we will use different shipment methods depending on the destination.

Among the most common means of transportation are ships, lorries and train to ensure that our marble reaches its final destination.



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