Our Factory
Our production process:
STEP 1
Cutting
At Tombstone Designs, we’ve worked hard to improve our technique and make use of the highest quality Granite and Marble sourced direct from the quarry. Upon arrival, the blocks of Marble/Granite are rough, bumpy and coarse. They are then cut into smaller blacks using a rotary diamond saw.
STEP 2
1st Polishing
The blocks are then polished to give them a smooth, glossy finish.
STEP 3
Shaping
The polished slab is ready for shaping, either by hand with a chisel and hammer, or a multi-blade diamond saw.
STEP 4
2nd Polishing
All the stone’s surfaces are polished again and this includes the vertical edges. If complex shapes are required, polished stone is moved to the diamond wire saw to etch the shapes into the stone. Any fine etching is done by hand.
STEP 5
Rock Pitching
This involves chiseling the outer edges to give a more defined, personal shape
STEP 6
Engraving
To capture the memories of the deceased, an epitaph is then engraved onto the stone using either manual or automated sandblasting. If a family prefers to have an image or a more intricate graphic design on the stone, then this is usually done using laser and/or colour etching.
STEP 7
Final Polishing
The stone is then taken through a final polishing stage to ensure it has no flaws or scratches.
FINAL STEP
Inspection
Quality Control is strongly enforced throughout the manufacturing process. After each polishing, the stone is examined for flaws and, at the first sign of a chip or scratch, the stone is take off then production line and considered to be waste.