Granite cutting: how it works and which machines to use

Granite cutting is one of the most delicate stages in natural stone processing. To transform a block into regular, precise slabs ready for subsequent processing, it is essential to use machines capable of ensuring continuity, control, and long-term reliability.

In this article, we will explor:

How granite cutting works
Which Pedrini machines are designed for this process
Why multiwire cutting is a strategic solution for industrial production
The relationship between diamond wire diameter, energy consumption, and material waste
How production efficiency and sustainability can become competitive advantages
A Pedrini case study

How granite cutting works?

Granite cutting begins with the raw block, which is positioned on the machine’s block carrier trolley. From there, the process is managed through control systems that regulate key operating parameters, such as downfeed speed, cutting start and end settings, and slab thickness configuration.

In industrial applications, granite is primarily cut using multiwire machines equipped with multiple diamond wires that work simultaneously on the block. This technology makes it possible to produce several slabs within the same cutting cycle, with uniform thickness and a high level of precision.

The process consists of several stages:

Positioning the granite block on the block carrier trolleys;
Setting the cutting parameters according to the material characteristics and the desired result;
Starting the multiwire cutting cycle, during which the diamond wires penetrate the block;
Monitoring process stability throughout the entire operation;
Producing slabs with consistent thickness and regular surfaces.

Why granite cutting is a complex process
Granite has physical and structural characteristics that require robust, precise, and technologically advanced machinery.

Granite characteristics	Impact on cutting process	Production requirement
High hardness	Greater resistance to wire penetration and advancement	Reliable and stable machines
Abrasiveness	Increased wear and stress on cutting tools	Control of consumption and cutting continuity
Crystalline composition	Variable material behaviour during processing	Flexible cutting parameters
Veining and non-uniform structure	Need to adapt the process to each individual block	Precision and constant process control
Material value	Any waste directly affects final yield	Waste reduction and block optimization

For this reason, cutting granite means managing a complex industrial process in which product quality, production continuity, and resource optimization must go hand in hand.

Pedrini machines for granite cutting

Pedrini designs and manufactures machines and systems for natural stone processing, offering dedicated solutions for the industrial cutting of granite.

Among the most relevant machines for this application are:

Multiwire Jupiter GS240
Multiwire Jupiter GS230 TECH12

Both machines are designed to meet specific production requirements while pursuing a common goal: delivering precise cuts, ensuring process continuity, and maximizing material utilization.

Multiwire Jupiter GS240

The Multiwire Jupiter GS240 represents the fourth generation of Pedrini multiwire machines for natural stone cutting. It is a multiwire machine for granite and marble, designed to process quartzites, marbles, and granites with high precision, delivering excellent results across a wide range of materials.

Available in different configurations, the GS240 varies in terms of the maximum number of wires and diamond wire diameters, offering setups from 24 to 80 wires and wire diameters of 4.3 mm, 5.3 mm, 6.3 mm, and 7.3 mm. The use of 4.3 mm diamond wire allows operators to maximize block yield, achieving up to 39.2 m²/m³ with slabs 2 cm thick.

One of the GS240 distinctive features is its large 2.3-meter-diameter flywheel. Thanks to its extended contact arc with the wires, it ensures smooth and consistent wire traction, resulting in precise and uniform block cutting. The machine is engineered to optimize both block yield and diamond wire performance while reducing energy consumption and material waste.

Multiwire Jupiter GS230 TECH12

The Multiwire Jupiter GS230 TECH12 is a multiwire machine specifically designed for the industrial production of thin stone slabs with a thickness of 12 mm.

It has been developed to meet the growing demand for lighter, more versatile materials suitable for new applications in architecture, design, and interior projects.

The GS230 TECH12 enables the processing of natural stone blocks through a highly industrialized production process, while maintaining a strong focus on cutting quality, thickness consistency, and production continuity.

Machine	Main application	Distinctive feature	Production benefit
Multiwire Jupiter GS240	Multiwire cutting of granite, marble and quartzite	4.3 mm diamond wire	Higher block yield, reduced waste and lower energy consumption
Multiwire Jupiter GS230 TECH12	Production of 12 mm thick slabs	Industrialized thin-slab cutting process	Lighter, more versatile slabs suitable for new applications

Contact us for more information about multiwire machines for granite cutting

Multiwire granite cutting: process continuity and control

Multiwire granite cutting is a technology that enables the processing of stone blocks using multiple diamond wires operating simultaneously. Compared to less advanced cutting systems, this approach offers a significant advantage: it increases productivity while maintaining a high level of process control.

For companies that process granite, continuity and operational stability are key factors. Any machine downtime can affect production schedules, block management, and the overall planning of the processing plant.

An efficient multiwire machine makes it possible to achieve:

Regular and controlled cuts;
Uniform slab thickness;
Greater production continuity;
Reduced machine downtime;
migliore gestione dei cicli di lavorazione;
Optimized block yield.

Cutting stability is particularly important when processing granite, as the material’s hardness and abrasiveness require a technology capable of maintaining consistent performance even during extended operating cycles.

Diamond wire diameter and energy consumption

The diameter of the diamond wire is a critical technical factor in granite cutting.

A smaller wire diameter results in less material being removed during the cutting process. This means that, for the same cutting operation, less material is converted into waste, improving overall block yield.

In the case of the GS240 equipped with 4.3 mm diamond wire installed at various customer sites, the reduced wire diameter has enabled more efficient and precise slab processing. In addition, the lower material removal rate has contributed to reducing production waste and the volume of sludge requiring disposal.

Why a thinner wire can make a difference

Technical aspect	Effect on the process	Benefit for the company
Smaller wire diameter	Reduced contact surface	Lower friction during cutting
Lower friction	Reduced load on the machine	ower energy consumption
Reduced material removal	Less material converted into waste	Higher block yield
ore efficient cutting	Better utilization of raw material	More slabs produced from each block
Less wast and cutting sludge	Reduced amount of material to manage at the end of the process	More sustainable operation

In an increasingly efficiency-driven market, wire diameter is far from a secondary detail: it is a key factor that directly affects productivity, energy consumption, and sustainability.

Production efficiency and sustainability in granite cutting

In granite cutting, efficiency is not simply a matter of processing speed. An efficient machine is one that enables producers to extract more value from every block, reduce waste, and optimize the resources involved throughout the process.

In this context, sustainability translates into tangible benefits:

Reduced material waste;
Lower volumes of cutting sludge requiring disposal;
Improved block yield;
Reduced energy consumption;
Greater production continuity;
Enhanced long-term competitiveness of the plant.

Case history: Marmi Orobici and Pedrini GS240

Marmi Orobici, a company based in the Bergamo area, chose Pedrini to install a new GS240 Multiwire equipped with 4.3 mm diamond wire, further strengthening a partnership built on innovation, performance, and reliability.

The installed machine features:

72 diamond wires;
200 kW motor;
4.3 mm diamond wire;
The ability to process quartzites, marbles, and granites with high precision.

The results achieved have been significant:

Parameter	Result
Blocks processed	200 blocks
Reference period	200 working days
Yield achieved	39.2 m²/m³
Wire diameter	4.3 mm
Number of wires	72
Motor	200 kW
Key benefits	Higher yield, reduced waste, lower energy consumption and less cutting sludge requiring disposal

These results demonstrate how technological innovation in multiwire cutting can generate tangible benefits, both in terms of production performance and environmental sustainability.

Pedrini: technology, reliability and process control in granite cutting

Choosing Pedrini for natural stone cutting and processing means choosing a partner that understands the material, the production process, and the operational goals of your business.

Pedrini supports its customers with solutions designed to ensure:

Cutting precision;
Production continuity;
Long-term reliability;
Reduced material waste;
Optimized energy consumption;
Specialized technical support;
Technologies developed to meet the real needs of the market.

In granite cutting, the combination of experience, innovation, and process control makes it possible to transform a complex operation into an opportunity for greater productivity and business growth.

With machines such as the Multiwire Jupiter GS240 and the Multiwire Jupiter GS230 TECH12, Pedrini provides practical solutions for companies seeking quality, efficiency, and competitiveness in the industrial processing of natural stone.