GB1185574A - Vibratory Finishing Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1,185,574. Vibratory finishing. SWECO Inc. 9 April, 1968 [17 April, 1967], No. 17002/68. Heading B3D. A vibratory finishing apparatus comprises a finishing bowl of circular channel (annular form) having a resilient lining in which a charge of parts to be finished and a finishing media are subjected to vibration, said apparatus being equipped with a retractable vertical weir for controlling both the motion of said charge and the unloading and separating of said parts and said media, said weir being sealed against the resilient lining of said apparatus by the provision of at least one resilient lip seal on the bottom of the interior chamber of said apparatus immediately adjacent said weir. A bowl 10, Fig. 2, has inner and outer walls 13, 12, preferably of metal, provided with linings 15, 14, e.g. of hard rubber or polyurethane. The linings are provided with relatively flat depressed portions 17, 18 in the vicinity of a weir 16. The bottom of the chamber 19 in the bowl may begin at a low region 23 and ascend helically to a high region 22, the wier 16 being then located at the transition point; the curvature of the bottom increases from the low region to the high region. The weir 16, Figs. 5, 6 and 7, comprises a channel member 61 of metal, e.g. aluminium, preferably having a coating 62 of resilient material, e.g. polyurethane. At each end of the weir there is a clearance 63 between it and the lining to prevent binding caused by debris and to accommodate any relative expansion and contraction. Downstream of the weir is a sealing bracket 40 having upwardly projecting legs 41, 42 which gradually increase in thickness toward the bottom; the bracket, which is secured by bolts passing through holes 53 and by bottom bolts 54, has a lip seal 43 on its lower portion. The seal may extend around the entire inner periphery of the bracket. Upstream of the weir is a sealing bracket 44 having flanges 45 engaging the tops of the linings 14, 15 ; the bracket, which is secured by bolts passing through holes 51 and by bottom bolts 52, has a lip seal 46 around its entire inner periphery. The brackets 40, 44 may be integrally moulded from polyurethane or may be metallic with a coating. A bowl is mounted by springs 103, Fig. 1, on a base 101 and is vibrated by a motor 106 driving eccentric weights 112, 113. The weir 116 is moved vertically by air cylinders 117 which are located within the weir when the latter is lowered. The lower edge of the weir is notched at 121 to receive the air cylinders support structure 122. The upper position of the weir is determined by means 124, 125.