Since the dawning of civilization, man has done his utmost to build solid, long lasting structures to be used as dwellings or for public functions; the design efforts had to be worth the durability of these buildings. This has lead to a preference, above all in our raw material rich land, for natural stone such as marble, granite, and travertine which are still widely used in contemporary projects and design. However, the needs of advanced cultures have gradually evolved throughout history as technology has also done without stop.

The present need to find materials that endure and maintain their characteristic properties unaltered through the years has shifted attention to the use of high-tech composites in the design of large projects such as airports, shopping centers, railway stations, museums, convention centers and business buildings, as well as for the needs of private homes. Quartz agglomerate is an innovative material that answers this need for excellent performance. It is a mixture containing one of the most common naturally occurring white or transparent mineral, structural polyester resin, and UV-stabilized colored pigments. A process of vibro-compression under vacuum is used to press slabs of agglomerate that are around 3 meters by 1.40 meters and are suited equally for flooring, wall facings, and kitchen and bathroom counter tops.

Superior resistance to damage from impact and chemical agents as well as resistance to compression and  good rigidity are the fundamental characteristics that have mainly contributed to the success of this composite and make it particularly adapted for use in large projects. Its consequent ease of maintenance and repair over the long term add to its suitability. It is a low-absorbency material presenting a compact surface, so does not easily deteriorate nor stain, and does not require special sealers, which, to the contrary, natural stone does.

Quartz agglomerate is easily produced in a varied range of colors that, also because of their uniformity, offer great artistic variety. It is specifically versatility that gives rise to an ever greater number of applications that wed practicality and efficiency to the elegance of decor design composed of a single material. Quartz agglomerate also lends itself to the construction of stairs, tables, counter tops, radiators, bathtubs, panels, and built-in sinks. It is offered on the market in polished or opaque finishes with special processing to reproduce the appearance and feel of natural stone. These prestigious high-tech materials require high-quality processing tools that guarantee high performance for precision in use and reduction of removed material, as well as for the processing plant where they are installed in the quest to minimize downtime during replacement on production lines.

Italdiamant's excellent professionalism provides its customers additionally with complete after-sales service, technical support and all the experience accumulated in over 20 year of business in this sector. The company has developed a line of adaptable tools designed specifically for quartz agglomerates. The superior performance of these tools has gained recognition from Asta Europe, the European association of engineered stone producers, so much so that Italdiamant has become their official supplier. Italdiamant also exports its products to Asia and America. Italdiamant serves, not only large national and international companies, but all operators in the sector, including small craftsmen and their specific needs. Italdiamant products are very economically competitive because they are perfectly compatible with existing technology and plants. Furthermore, tools for quartz agglomerates can be customized both in size and shape according to customer specifications.

The first step in processing these materials is calibration which must be carried out on both the upper and lower surfaces of the slab. This process eliminates any pressing defects and prepares the slab for further processing. Italdiamant tool design is based on extensive knowledge of production processes and all the customer's needs. Consequently, cylindrical rollers and "Paccodisk" rollers are built to get maximum quality and efficiency in the finishing process while helping to reduce to a minimum the stresses on drive mechanisms. Smoothing and polishing operations require topnotch technology for slab processing. Italdiamant produces 130 and 170 mm fickers for each position and grain size, to guarantee the highest quality results, and to provide total control over product processing. There are also squaring wheels or disks for cross-cutting machines that work at the same feeding rate of the production line and insure a finish of maximum quality. We produce, in addition, squaring wheels having special shapes that, not only square, but can also chamfer or trim slabs. Disks for automatic machines or workshops are produced totally in Italy, and undergo strict inspections that guarantee the excellent reliability and consistency of these products. The various lines and ranges of tools are designed specifically for processing quartz and agglomerates and so insure quality and speed in cutting. Milling cutters, profiling wheels, and core drills are available for form grinding and drilling operations, to complete the range of products for quartz agglomerates.

Alloys and particle sizes specialized for each and every operation, confirm Italdiamant 's ability to customize its products almost without limit.

Post by Elisa Marchioro

Ceramics is one of Made in Italy's most prolific manufacturing sectors. This is the result of extremely advanced, refined and constant technological research aimed at satisfying the design, practical, and environmental needs of architecture and contemporary design in the best way.

The technological progress of recent years has permitted companies in the sector to create high performance materials which are adaptable to the most diverse applications and are extremely resistant to chemical agents.

This has caused a reexamination of past conceived uses of ceramic materials, resulting in an increase in the number of possible applications as an all-purpose covering, whether for interior spaces such as bathroom, kitchen and other workspace counter tops, or for large exterior surfaces.

Ceramics have garnered great success with architects, designers, and interior designers because of their versatility. These professionals are fascinated by the great adaptability of these materials which renders them suitable for a greater number of formats, solutions and uses. They can be used to cover walls, floors, and  tabletops, as well as to complement furnishings through graphic impact. Ceramic materials lend themselves to manufacturing in an infinite range of colors and the creation of complex graphic art projects through the use of digital decoration systems that can reproduce images in both large and small sizes.

Another interesting development is the capability of producing ceramic tiles with integrated solar cells, combining energy efficiency with architectural esthetic coherence.

These great advances in the use of ceramic materials are the result of using materials that are extremely resistant, natural, and devoid of toxic constituents. An example is glazed stoneware, which is resistant to acids and ultraviolet light. Porcelains are frost resistant and impervious to water, odors and soiling. The latest products are ultra-thin, varying in thickness from 3 to 8 millimeters, and come in large formats that vary from 3m×1m to 3m×1.5m.

These technological innovations also involve manufacturing costs in addition to the numerous advantages described above. For example, ultra-thin ceramic sheets require the use of special cutting, calibrating, polishing and lapping tools designed to reduce waste by minimizing the risk of damaging them during manufacture.

It is during manufacturing that Italdiamant's longstanding experience and professionalism come into play; The company is always abreast of the latest innovations in the field, beginning operation in the area of large-sized ceramics processing by debuting a line of high performance tools designed specifically for working ultra-thin sheets.

Attention to detail is guaranteed at every stage of manufacturing process with the Italdiamant line of products for ceramics and glazed stoneware due to the employ of cutting-edge machinery and rigorous, controlled production systems that conform to ISO certification for environmental protection. This also gives the maximum in efficiency in product quality and energy consumption.

Specifically, the calibration line of tools includes rollers with 5, 7, 8, and 10 spirals or "Paccodisk" packed-disc rollers for greater productivity, and satellite and cylindrical heads for any plant or machinery. Calibration produces a rough surface which is both isotropic and flat, qualities that are indispensable for subsequent perfectly realized polishing operations on ceramics and glazed stoneware.

The company produces flickers measuring from 130mm to 170mm for the highest quality lapping. These are adapted for both the hardest surfaces of glazed stoneware and the more delicate surfaces of ceramics.

For squaring and chamfering operations, Italdiamant offers frontal and tangential wheels of various grit and shape according to the materials being worked.

Finally, Italdiamant produces a range of cutting blades designed specifically for glazed stoneware and ceramics to satisfy the ever wider need for cutting at high speeds without compromising finish quality. Aware of the needs of the ceramics division of products specialized for processing large format stoneware having very reduced thicknesses, the company has developed special, specific blades for cutting sheets having 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1 cm thicknesses.

Italdiamant is willing to work side by side with, and at the service of, sector manufacturers supporting them in the various stages of production and so tools can also so be made to customer specifications. The customer who sends us his prototype will promptly receive a personalized quotation complete with all specifications.

Post by Elisa Marchioro

Ever since its foundation in 1976, Italdiamant has set itself the objective and company mission of offering high quality, functional, high-performance products, devoting particular care to keeping up with technological innovation.

The ISO certification we have obtained, aimed at protecting the health and safety of our workers as well as ensuring a quality management system to improve effectiveness and efficiency in the manufacture of our products, bears witness to the importance we place in providing a working environment that meets our workers’ needs.

Over the years, Italdiamant has also developed an awareness of the importance of embracing a "Green" spirit and of protecting the environment in the interests of the company, the community and the territory where the company operates and which it is part of.

This created an aspiration to become an example throughout the world of the excellence of Italian-made products, as part of a larger context of fostering awareness and use of eco-sustainable production systems.

This approach led, during the course of 2011, to a project for a large photovoltaic plant, covering the entire roof surface of the company factory.

The panels are arranged geometrically in several rows, raised and angled in such a way as to maximise solar radiation in order to accumulate the largest possible amount of photovoltaic energy, as can be seen from the splendid aerial images published here.

Italdiamant has placed great hopes in this new plant for producing renewable energy which has recently been inaugurated and put into operation. According to the environmental impact estimates, the plant will cover at least 20% of the total electrical energy required for our industrial production.

With this initiative, Italdiamant is playing an active part in the protection and conservation of the environment and the territory.

Post by Elisa Marchioro