ES376547A1 - Improvements in and relating to vibro-gyratory finishing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of unloading a charge of workpieces and finishing media from a vibratory finishing mill comprises inserting a dam 32 effective to block the progress of the charge and to cause it to rise up and over the dam to a high level separating zone 20, separating the workpieces from the finishing media in said zone, returning the finishing media to the mill and discharging the workpieces. The mill has a finishing chamber 7 lined with rubber or other material 9 and is supported by springs 6 on a base 5. A sleeve 10 secured to the chamber 7 supports a motor 8 driving adjustable eccentric weights 15, 16 which impart to the chamber a high frequency rotary oscillation about the axis of the chamber together with an upward and downward component. The chamber includes a high level separating zone 20 and washing zone 21 having a perforated floor 23, the separating zone being covered by a perforated screen 25 and the washing zone by a flat plate 26. The floors of the separating zone and washing zone are provided with steps 23a which cause tumbling of the workpieces to assist in removing trapped media. Sprays 33 are mounted in the washing zone and for wet processing liquid may be supplied to the chamber from an arcuate spray pipe 38 connected to a pump 36. The dam 32 can be moved from a position above the chamber, in which it does not impede the movement of the charge around the finishing chamber, by piston and cylinder devices 31 to a position in the chamber in which it causes the charge to climb over the dam into the separating and washing zones. In another embodiment the dam is fixed in position and a further dam is provided to slow the passage of the charge through the finishing chamber. In a further embodiment separation of ferrous workpieces may be effected magnetically.