GB941075A - Improvements in or relating to a finishing and polishing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

941,075. Finishing and polishing. ROTOFINISH Ltd. Jan. 9, 1961 [Aug. 10, 1960], No. 886/61. Heading B3D. A method of finishing or polishing workpieces, e.g. metal parts, comprises the steps of mixing the workpieces with finishing or polishing material to form a mass, imparting vibratory motion to the mass, rinsing the mass with liquid during the motion, and removing the liquid from the mass. Workpieces 12 and finishing or polishing material 13, e.g. stone chips, are placed in a hopper 1 mounted on coil springs 8. The hopper has a charging opening 3 and a semicylindrical bottom 2 on which is directly mounted a vibrator comprising a motor 5 having a shaft 6 carrying an eccentric weight 7. Liquid, e.g. water, a chemical cleaning agent or a solvent, in a settling tank 18 is delivered by a motor-driven pump 20 through pipe 25 and valve 26 to a spray head 27 having discharge openings 28 opening into the upper portion of the hopper 1. At each end of the hopper is a discharge opening provided with a screen to retain the workpieces and finishing or polishing material during vibration of the hopper; a discharge spout 15 extending laterally from each opening discharges into a trough 17 leading to the tank 18 in which the fines settle out. A heater 29 may be provided in the tank to expedite the action when a chemical cleaning agent or solvent is used. When water is used, it may not be worthwhile to separate the fines from the water; in this case, water is supplied to the hood 27 through pipe 32 and valve 33 and the outlets from the hopper are diverted to a drain, so by-passing the tank 18. This arrangement may be used for cleaning the finishing or polishing material 13 which is effected with the hopper 1 vibrating. Specification 936,191 is referred to.