GRAVITON TANDEM

GRAVITON TANDEM is a high-capacity static oven system consisting of two oven towers positioned on opposite sides of one shared central elevator and tray-transfer system. The Tandem architecture increases the total number of available slab-tray positions without requiring a separate elevator and transfer mechanism for each tower. The shared handling system can insert and retrieve trays from both oven structures, providing higher capacity within a coordinated and space-efficient installation layout. GRAVITON TANDEM is not limited to one fixed process arrangement. Each tower can be configured independently for slab drying, resin curing or a combination of both processes.

The two static oven towers are arranged side by side, with the vertical elevator positioned between them. The elevator aligns with the selected tray level in either tower. A motorised shuttle transfers the slab tray from the elevator into the required oven position and retrieves it once the programmed treatment period has been completed. The common elevator and transfer system serves both towers, avoiding the duplication of major handling equipment while providing access to all tray levels on both sides. Pneumatically operated chamber hatches open during tray insertion and extraction and close immediately afterwards to limit heat loss from the active treatment chambers.

GRAVITON TANDEM describes the physical architecture of the system, while the internal process arrangement of each tower is selected according to the customer's production requirements. Available arrangements may include: Twin Dedicated Towers: Both towers can be dedicated to the same process, providing increased drying capacity or increased resin-curing capacity. Separate Drying and Curing Towers: One tower can be configured for slab drying and the other for resin polymerisation. The capacity of each tower can be selected independently according to the respective process times. Dedicated Tower with Combi Tower: One tower can be dedicated entirely to one process, while the second tower is divided into separate drying and curing chambers.

GRAVITON TANDEM does not have one fixed number of tray levels. The appropriate tower capacity is determined according to required slabs per hour, slab-drying time, resin-curing time, selected resin formulation, stone characteristics, slab dimensions and weight, upstream and downstream machine capacity, available factory space and height. In resin lines with separated static oven towers, the drying and curing capacities can be selected independently to reflect the different treatment times required by each process.

Each process chamber can be engineered for slab drying or resin curing. In a drying configuration, the chamber removes residual moisture from the stone before resin application. Controlled temperature, airflow and moisture extraction prepare the slab surface, pores and fissures for more effective resin penetration. In a curing configuration, the chamber provides the controlled thermal conditions required for the polymerisation of epoxy, polyester and other compatible resin systems. Where a Combi tower is incorporated, the drying and curing sections remain separate and can be regulated independently.

GRAVITON TANDEM can be supplied with electric-resistance heating or a natural-gas-fired heating system. Recirculation fans distribute heated air through internal diffusers positioned along the slab-treatment chambers. Steel airflow guides contain and direct the air within the tray area, supporting consistent heat transfer across the slab surfaces and between the different oven levels. The electric version uses energy-efficient serpentine resistance heaters. Heating and airflow systems are selected according to the capacity and function of each tower.

The external surfaces of both oven towers are fully insulated using high-density panels and additional thermal insulation materials. Chamber temperatures are continuously monitored by electronic sensors. In chambers used for drying, humidity conditions can also be measured at multiple locations, while moisture-laden air is extracted when required. The control system coordinates the heating, airflow, elevator movement, tray transfers and chamber access across both towers.

The HeadStart function schedules oven preheating before the production shift begins. The selected chambers can therefore reach their required operating conditions before the first slabs enter the line, allowing production to begin without unnecessary start-up delays.