Granite Polishing Machines for Granite Countertops
How Granite And Stone Fabricators Can Advance To The Next Level
By: James Callaghan and Steven Collick
Marmo Mechanica USA
Southfield, Michigan
 The rapidly expanding popularity of countertops made of granite and other stone presents growing business opportunities for stone fabricators who must constantly upgrade to increase production to meet demand. In just the last five years alone, the number of fabrication shops in the United States has nearly doubled from around 8,000 to more than 15,000. That trend is expected to continue because market demand shows no signs of slowing down. By carefully choosing stone fabricating machines with automated equipment that can improve both production and quality, a fabricator can guarantee itself security in the industry.
If your shop is a small, 2,500-sq. ft. facility turning out one or two kitchens a week, today's market demand could easily let you grow into a medium-sized operation producing two or three kitchens a day. If you have a medium-sized shop, careful selection of automated equipment could help you become a large facility producing five to 10 kitchens a day. Regardless of a fabrication shop's size, automation will help to please builders and other customers through consistent quality work, short turnarounds, and fast delivery.
The Polishing Machine
After the purchase of a bridge saw, a medium-sized fabrication shop will usually consider an automatic edge polishing machine. They typically do the work of two or three employees using hand tools. Polishing machines come in two basic configurations: vertical and horizontal. Because most medium-sized shops average six to 10 employees working in a 4,000 to 8,000-sq. ft. area, a vertical polishing machine is usually the best choice. It takes up less floor space than a horizontal machine. Also, because material is usually stored and handled vertically, the vertical machine reduces handling and the chance of breakage.
One type of polishing machine considered versatile is one that automatically polishes not only squared-off and inclined edges, but also toroidal edges and other convex shapes. As long as the edges to be polished have the same thickness, pieces can be inserted one after another. A conveyor belt carries them through a group of automatic mandrills that bear a series of abrasives ranging from the coarsest grain to a polishing abrasive.
Another type of machine to be considered is the flat edge polisher, sometimes called the back-splash polisher. Actually, it will also polish countertops of any size, length, and height. As its name implies, it will only polish flat surfaces, but it can also chamfer upper and lower edges if desired. These machines are fairly inexpensive and have a compact footprint to save floor space. The production rate for such a polisher is from 80 to 100 lineal feet per hour. Again, these types of machines will help speed production and increase your volume.
The Water System
As production increases, water consumption increases as well. For a medium or large fabrication shop, a closed water system can pay for itself in a year or two. It recycles the water run through the machines to keep the leveling tools cool instead of dumping it into the sewer. It can also recycle water used in a dust booth. Beyond reducing the water bill, such a system also guarantees the rate of flow needed to meet the demand of the machines.
Marmo Meccanica USA
23455 Telegraph Road
Southfield, MI 48034
More information
Granite Capital Granite Polishers
Georgia Granite Association Bridge Saws
|
