GB1019839A - Improvements in or relating to the separation of parts - Google Patents

Abstract

Ferrous metala workpieces, contained in a vibratory container with a mass of processing media, e.g. loose chips of rock, for finishing the workpieces by abrasive action, are separated from the media by means of a magnetic separator mounted above the surface of the media so as to act on the top layer of the media and extract workpieces which are brought into the magnetic field by circulation of the media about a generally horizontal axis as a result of the vibrations imparted to the container. The separator may be in the form of a magnetic drum 6; Fig. 1 (not shown), journalled at one end of a pair of arms 7 which at their other end support an electric motor 8 for rotatining the drum through a belt 9. The arms are pivotably and slidably mounted on a bar 11 to allow for swinging of the drum towards or away from its working position and for traversing of the drum by means of a drive chain 12 suitably coupled to the arms. A shoot 14 discharges the workpieces 4 into a hopper 15 surrounded by a demagnetizing coil 16. In a modification, Fig. 3 (not shown), the arms 7 are secured to ball bearings 17 mounted on a screwed rod 18 rotated in alternate directions by a motor 19. In another modification, the magnetic drum extends the full length of the container so that no traversing means are required. In a further modification, the magnetic drum is mounted at one end of the container transversely thereof. In Fig. 6 (not shown), the separator comprises a magnetic pully 21, a non-magnetic pulley 22, a jockey pully 23 and a belt 24 for conveing the workpieces from the pulley 22 for discharge after passing through a demagnetizing coil 26. A magnet 17 assists in retaining the workpieces on the belt. In a last embodiment, the separator takes the form of an electromagnet arranged to be selectively energized to extract the workpieces and mounted on slides or runners to allow it to be moved clear of the container when it is de-energized to release the workpieces. A guiding tube of rounded triangular cross-section may be disposed along the axis of the carrier in any of the embodiments described to assist in the circulation of the media in an annular path.