GB841447A - Improvements in and relating to barrelling machines - Google Patents

Abstract

841,447. Barrelling. ROLLS-ROYCE Ltd. Feb. 5, 1959 [April 14, 1958], No. 11786/58. Class 60. A barrelling machine comprises a plurality of barrels 15, means for rotating them simultaneously, a plurality of barrel-stopping mechanisms, one for each barrel, so that a selected barrel may be stopped whilst permitting rotation of the remainder, and a timing device for controlling each barrel-stopping mechanism so that rotation ceases at the end of the pre-set period of the associated timing device. The barrels 15 are friction-driven by rollers 3 mounted on parallel shafts 1, 2 which are chain-driven by a motor 8 through a variable speed unit. Each barrel is carried in a cradle 16, pivotally mounted on a shaft 17 which carries an idler roller 24 between the end-plate 18, further idler rollers 21, 22, are carried between the ends of the arms of the plates 18. The upper arms of each cradle are joined by an abutment portion 25 which, when the barrel is in driving engagement with the roller 3; bears against the frame of the machine. A spring 27 urges the cradle towards the disengaged position shown at A, Fig. 2, but each cradle is normally held by a solenoidreleasable catch in the barrel-driving position, the catch engaging the spindle 19 of the roller 21 in a gap formed by dividing that roller ; when the drive is disengaged by releasing the catch the projecting ends of the spindle 19 engage the machine frame to limit the outward movement of the cradle to the unloading position. The solenoids are operated by timeswitch 45 mounted on a front panel 42, the switches being controlled by buttons, each switch being independently set for the running period of its associated barrel. A sink unit 50, below which is a shoot and bin 56, is centrally disposed at the front of the machine for sieving the barrelling chips from the workpieces, together with a hose 47 and accommodation for screens 53 of different mesh. The barrels. Fig. 6 and 8, may be polyethylene mouldings, each with four shallow internal ribs 39 extending across the inner wall, a cover 37 of similar material being sprung into a rim 35, or a cover of rigid material with locking means may be used. The ribs 39 are stepped on one side to collect the chips, causing them to follow the path indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8, the direction of rotation being clockwise. To ensure that barrels are correctly loaded into the machine the idler rollers are offset on their spindles to accommodate a wide peripheral rib 32, Fig. 6, moulded on the cylindrical outer wall of each barrel. A liquid medium may be used for the barrelling process.