Cut Types
Technology is changing the natural stone industry and it opens up a world of possibilities for business projects and saves time, money, and resources throughout the process. The latest generation machines at our factory bases enable us to easily and quickly meet the needs of business projects.
Today stone can be quarried using less energy, processed in only a few minutes, and fabricated using less water, reducing the overall impact on the environment. Commonly used most recent techniques are:
- CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) machinery
- Waterjet Cut
- 3D modeling
- Sandblasting
Cut to size with CNC Machines
SpaceStone has extensive experience in crafting natural stones to different sizes, thicknesses, and surfaces. We are continuously following the latest trend in natural stone machinery and assisting our workshops to harness them once they are available.
A widely used technology at the fabrication stage is computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery. CNC makes it possible to develop a design in the computer first and refine it before applying the design to the material.
As a result, a simple block or slab of stone can end up with curves, impressions, texture, and shapes carved into it.
Waterjet
Waterjet effectively uses an ultra-high pressure stream of water mixed with abrasive as a powerful cutting tool. Waterjet has established itself as one of the most valuable pieces of equipment for modern benchtop production. It has an ability to cut-to-size, miter edges, cut sinks and make tap holes in stone in a single operation. Top things to remember about waterjet processing are:
- eliminates WHS issues caused by dust
- good quality machine price is ranging between $US10k up to $US200k
3D Modelling
This method is commonly used for renovation projects where existing materials or designs must be matched. A 3D model can be created from pictures that would replicate the design with accuracy and precision and the most appropriate stone and finish chosen to match the design and make it look historic.
Cutting Example of 3D and 2D scanning technology used by the granite manufacturer to match the existing serpentine pattern of the historic stone at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Staunton, Virginia. Photo courtesy of ©Coldspring.
Sandblasting
Sandblasting is used when a project’s design requires images to be etched into stone.