US3608243A - Vibratory finishing machine of continuous-flow type - Google Patents

Abstract

IN A VIBRATORY FINISHING MACHINE, AN ELONGATED THROUGH IS VIBRATED SO AS TO IMPART GENERALLY ORBITAL MOVEMENT TO THE CONTENTS ABOUT AN AXIS DISPOSED IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE AND ORIENTED AT A PREDETERMINED ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO A VERTICAL PLANE COMPRISING THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE TROUGH.

Description

Sept. 28, 1971 A. K. FERRARA VIBRATORY FINISHING MACHINE OF CONTINUOUS-FLOW TYPE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 25, 1969 Sept. 28, 1 A. K. FERRARA VIBRATORY FINISHING MACHINE OF CONTINUOUS-FLOW TYPE Filed Feb. 25, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3,608,243 Patented Sept. 28, 1971 3,608,243 VIBRATORY FINISHING MACHINE F CONTINUOUS-FLOW TYPE Achille K. Fen-am, Addison, Ill., assignor to Ultramatic Equipment Co., Addison, Ill. Filed Feb. 25, 1969, Ser. No. 802,070

Int. Cl. 1324b 19/00 U.S. Cl. 517 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a vibratory finishing machine, an elongated trough is vibrated so as to impart generally orbital movement to the contents about an axis disposed in a horizontal plane and oriented at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical plane comprising the longitudinal axis of the trough.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to improvements in vibratory finishing machines of the continuous-flow type, in which workpieces to be finished are introduced into an elongated vibratory trough containing a mass of abrasive finishing media of any type suitable for deburring, cleaning, polishing, or other finishing, and in which the contents of the trough are discharged at a generally constant rate.

conventionally, the trough has a substantially cylindrical wall opening at the top. Hereinafter, the longitudinal central axis of the substantially cylindrical wall of the trough is considered to be the longitudinal axis of the trough.

Usually, 'a single vibrator is employed to vibrate the trough in such a manner as to impart generally orbital movement to the contents of the trough about an axis of orbital movement that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trough. The conventional vibrator for this purpose comprises a shaft, bearingtmeans engaging the shaft and supporting a housing to permit rotation of the shaft relative to the housing, and unbalanced weights mounted to the shaft for slinging rotation around the shaft to cause the shaft to vibrate eccentrically as the shaft is rotated, thereby to cause the housing to vibrate as the shaft is rotated. The housing is connected to the trough such that vibratory motion of the housing is transmitted to the trough. The trough is supported in such a manner as to permit limited vertical and lateral vibration of the trough, usually by means of a plurality of helical springs, and the principal mode of vibration of the trough is orbital. The vibration of the trough is transmitted to the contents of the trough.

Conventionally, a screen separator or equivalent mechanism is used to separate the finished workpieces from the media particles at the outlet end of the trough and to classify the media particles in order to remove abrasive fines and waste from recirculation, and a conveyor or equivalent mechanism is used to simultaneously recirculate the media particles to the inlet end of the trough. The contents of the trough are in a fluid state and constantly shift within the trough so as to remain generally level. Consequently, some continuous longitudinal flow of the contents of the trough from the inlet end to the outlet end is obtained. The principle whereby such flow is obtained may be referred to as the self-levelling principle.

If longitudinal flow of the contents of the trough is obtained solely by reason of the self-levelling principle, the flow rate may be exceedingly slow. For example, in machines in which the trough is in excess of six feet in length, the residence time of workpieces may be one-half hour or longer. A protracted residence time is satisfactory for heavy deburring and other heavy finishing, and, in some instances, it may be desirable or even necessary to recycle workpieces one or more times. However, a considerably shorter residence time is required for surface finishing, polishing, and other light finishing.

In the prior art, it is known to provide structure which is designed to deflect the orbiting contents of the trough longitudinally with respect to the trough. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,071,900, there is disclosed a vibratory finishing machine in which a plurality of generally transverse vanes are provided along the bottom of the trough. Since the axis of orbital movement of the contents of the trough is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trough the vanes are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the trough. The vanes are designed to deflect the orbiting contents of the trough longitudinally with respect to the trough. Apparently, the flow rate of the contents of the trough depends upon the configuration and surface area of the respective vanes and upon the inclination of the vanes with respect to the longitudinal axis of the trough. This invention is addressed to an entirely dilferent solution to the problem of controlling the flow rate in a vibratory finishing machine of the continuous-flow type.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,207, there is shown a vibratory finishing machine having a single vibrator comprising a shaft journalled to the under side of the trough and an eccentric weight radially extended from the shaft. In the patent, it is suggested that the vibrator be mounted to the trough with the shaft not exactly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trough. and it is noted that the re sultant vibration of the trough causes the contents of the trough to move toward the portions of the trough having the greater amplitude of vibration.

In larger machines, in which by way of example the trough may be in excess of six feet in length and of proportionately enlarged cross-sectional area, it would be desirable to be able to employ two or more longitudinally spaced vibrators, driven in phase, to vibrate the trough in the manner suggested in the preceding paragraph. Heretofore, there has been no known way in which a plurality of vibrators might be arranged to this end.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the primary object of this invention to provide a vibratory finishing machine of the continuous-flow type, in which a plurality of vibrators. are employed to vibrate the trough in such a manner as to impart a longitudinal component of movement to the contents of the trough.

It is another object of this invention to provide a vibratory finishing machine, as described, in which the contents of the trough are moved from the inlet end of the trough to the outlet end of the trough without vanes or othter deflecting structure in the interior of the trough.

It is another object of this invention to provide a vibratory finishing machine, as described, in which the plural vibrators are arranged for movement of the contents of the trough from the inlet end of the trough to the outlet end of the trough at a predetermined controlled rate.

The preceding objects may be attained in a vibratory finishing machine comprising an elongated suitably sup ported trough having an inlet end and an outlet end in combination with means for vibrating the trough in such a manner as to impart generally orbital movement to the contents of the trough about an axis of orbital movement oblique to the longitudinal axis of the trough.

The trough vibrating means comprises a plurality of vibrators which are arranged to vibrate the trough in such a manner as to impart a longitudinal component of movement to the contents of the trough. More particularly, the plural vibrators are arranged to vibrate the trough in such a manner as to impart generally orbital movement to the contents of the trough about an axis of orbital movement which is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trough but rather is oblique to the longitudinal axis of the trough.

In accordance with the principles of this invention, the axes of rotation of the shafts of the respective vibrators are generally stable with respect to a fixed frame of reference found in the vibratory finishing machine, in order to simplify the task of driving the plural vibrators in phase. Satisfactory results have been obtained with mechanical vibrators of the type disclosed in a copending application of the applicant herein, Ser. No. 684,259, filed Nov. 20, 1967, now Pat. 3,470,754 and assigned to the assignee hereof, each comprising a cylindrical shaft having a longitudinal central axis about which the shaft is rotatable, cylindrical eccentric cam means mounted to the shaft for conjoint rotation with the shaft upon the central axis of the shaft, a housing having cylindrical inner surface means surrounding and being spaced from the cam means, bearing means intermediate the cam means and the inner surface means to permit rotation of the cam means relative to the housing, and counterbalancing means for generally centrifugally counterbalancing the shaft.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will be evident from the following description, with the aid of the attached drawings, of a preferred embodiment of this invention in several alternative forms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vibratory finishing machine embodying the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the vibratory mechanisms of the vibratory finishing machine of FIG. 1, taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the vibratory finishing machine of FIG. 1, taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows, details normally appearing in the background being omitted for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the trough of the vibratory finishing machine of FIG. 1, showing one arrangement of the vibratory mechanisms; and

FIGS. 57 are views similar to FIG. 4, showing different alternative arrangements of the vibratory mechanisms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings, in which corresponding parts are indicated by like reference numbers, there is shown a vibratory finishing machine embodying the principles of this invention.

The vibratory finishing machine 10 comprises an elongated trough 12 having an inlet end 14 and an outlet end 16. The trough 12 has a substantially cylindrical wall 18 opening at the top between parallel upper flanges 20. The trough 12 may be lined with a suitable wear-resistant elastomer or other lining material (not indicated). In the drawings, the longitudinal central axis of the substantially cylindrical wall 18, which is considered to be the longitudinal central axis of the trough 12, is indicated generally at L The longitudinal axis L of the trough 12 is horizontal when the trough 12 is at rest. The trough 12 is supported for vibration, in conventional manner, by means of a plurality of helical springs 22 (FIG. 3) which engage suitable brackets 24 on the wall 118 of the trough 12 and are supported by a fixed framework, indicated fragmentarily at 26. A fixed protective housing 28 encloses the substantially cylindrical wall 18 of the trough 12 and the framework 26. The trough 12 is adapted, at the inlet end 14, to receive abrasive finishing media (not shown), into which workpieces (not shown) to be finished have been introduced. The abrasive finishing media may be of any type suitable for deburring, cleaning, polishing, or other finishing, and may range in size from small grits to large chips, as is known. The trough 12 has a suitable dis charge opening 31), at the outlet end 16, for the discharge of the contents of the trough 12. A conventional screen separator 32 is associated with the outlet end 16 of the trough 12 and is used to separate the finished workpieces from the media particles in order to remove the abrasive fines and other waste from recirculation. A conventional conveyor system 34 is used to recirculate the media particles to the inlet end 14 of the trough 12. A conventional spray bar 36 is used to spray a suitable washing liquid onto the contents of the trough 12.

The structures described in the preceding paragraph are conventional and further details thereof may be supplied readily by those skilled in the art.

The self-levelling principle acts on the contents of the trough 12. During vibration of the trough 12, as the contents of the trough 12 are discharged from the discharge opening 30 at the outlet end 16 of the trough 12 and media particles are simultaneously recirculated to the inlet end 14 of the trough 112, the contents of the trough 12 are in a fluid state and constantly shift within the trough 12 so as to remain substantially level. As a result, some continous longitudinal flow of the contents of the trough 12 from the inlet end 14 to the outlet end 16 is obtained.

The vibratory finishing machine 10 further comprises trough vibrating means 40 for vibrating the trough 12 in such a manner as to impart a longitudinal component of movement to the contents of the trough 12. More particularly, the trough vibrating means is associated with the trough 12 in a unique arrangement, to be described hereinafter, whereby the trough vibrating means 40 is adapted to vibrate the trough 12 in such a manner as to impart generally obrital movement to the contents of the trough 12 about an axis of orbital movement not parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 12, but rather oblique to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 12. In the drawings, the axis of orbital movement of the contents of the trough :12 is indicated generally at L Upon generally orbital movement of the trough 12 about the axis L of obrital movement of the trough 12, as mentioned, a longitudinal component of movement is imparted to the contents of the trough 12. It has been observed that the media particles and work-pieces tend to follow a generally toroidal path in the trough 12, as is suggested by the arrows in FIG. 1. Owing to the density of the mass of abrasive finishing media in the trough 12, such generally toroidal movement may be considerably slower than the movement of the trough 12 itself.

Only a small fraction of the energy transmitted to the trough 12 by the trough vibrating means 40 is utilized in imparting a longitudinal component of movement to the contents of the trough 12. The remainder of the energy, except for friction losses and the like, is transmitted to the workpieces through the mass of abrasive finishing media.

During operation of the vibratory finishing machine 10, the contents of the trough 12 tend to become unbalanced, as in FIG. 3, and the mass-center of the contents of the trough 12 becomes shifted laterally. In the drawings, a longitudinal axis through the approximate mass center of the contents of the trough 12 during operation of the ma- I chine 10 is indicated generally at L In accordance with the principles of this invention, the trough vibrating means comprises a first mechanical vibra tor 42 and a second mechanical vibrator 44, each being of the type disclosed in the aforementioned copending patent application of the applicant herein, Ser. No. 684,- 259 now Pat. No. 3,470,754. Each comprises a cylindrical shaft 4-6 having a longitudinal central axis L about which the shaft 46 is rotatable, cylindrical eccentric cam means 48 mounted to the shaft 46 for conjoint rotation with the shaft 46 upon the central axis L of the shaft 46, a housing 50 having cylindrical inner surface means 52 surrounding and being spaced from the cam means 48, hearing means 54 intermediate the cam means 48 and the inner surface means 52 of the housing 50 to permit rotation of the cam means 48 relative to the housing 50, and counterbalancing means 56 for generally centrifugally counterbalancing the shaft 46. Further details of these elements may be found by reference to the aforenoted patent application.

In operation of the vibratory mechanisms 42 and 44, the longitudinal central axes L; of the shafts 46 of the (respective mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 remain generally stable with respect to a fixed frame of reference found in the vibratory finishing machine 10. As a result, it is possible, though not necessary, to journal the shafts .46 of the respective mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 to the aforementioned framework 26 on which the trough 12 is supported by means of the helical springs 22. As mentioned, the helical springs 22 serve as flexible links pervibrators 42 and 44 in a prescribed manner to be described hereinafter. The configurations of the brackets 58 are determined by the intended orientation of the longitudinal central axes L; of the respective mechanical vibrators 42 and 44.

Preferably, as shown, the longitudinal central axes L; of the shafts 46 of the respective mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 are oriented at a predetermined acute angle relative to a vertical plane comprising the longitudinal axis L, of the trough 12, in order to orient the axis L of orbital movement of the contents of the trough 12 correspondingly. Alternatively, the longitudinal central axes L, of the shafts 46 of the respective mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 may be oriented, either at a predetermined acute angle relative to a horizontal plane comprising the longitudinal axis L of the trough 12, or at a predetermined acute angle relative to an inclined plane comprising the longitudinal axis L, of the trough 12, in order to orient the axis L of orbital movement of the contents of the trough 12 correspondingly. In any instance, the shafts 46 of the respective mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 may be either aligned with each other or parallel to each other. Furthermore, the shafts 46 of the respective mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 are coupled together, so as to be driven in phase, in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The angle between the axis L of orbital movement of the trough 12 and the selected plane comprising the longitudinal axis L of the trough 12, indicated generally at a in the drawings, determines the flow rate of the contents of the trough 12. In most instances, an angle of approximately 1-2 with respect to either a horizontal or a vertical plane comprising the longitudinal axis L of the trough 12 is satisfactory. Preferably, such angle is not in excess of approximately 20. If such angle were to be in excess of approximately 20, the flow rate of the contents of the trough would be too rapid to permit any useful finishing action to occur.

As shown, the mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 are disposed beneath the trough 12 and connected to the trough 12 by means of the brackets 58, in order to simplify fabrication of the machine 10. Alternatively, the mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 may be disposed above the trough 12 and rigidly connected to the trough 12 in a suitable manner.

In the arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4, the shafts 46 of the respective mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 are aligned with each other. The shaft 46 of the mechanical vibrator 42 is coupled, in phase, to the shaft 46 of the mechanical vibrator 44 for conjoint rotation. A connecting shaft 60, which is aligned with the shafts 46 between the shafts 46, may be rigidly connected to the shafts 46 in any suitable manner. Thus, the shaft 46 of the mechanical vibrator 44 is driven from the shaft 46 of the mechan- 6 ical vibrator 42. The shaft 46 of the mechanical vibrator 42 is arranged to be driven from a prime mover 62 to be described hereinafter.

Furthermore, in the arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4, the shafts 46 of the respective mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 are located toward one side of the trough in order to compensate for the imbalance of the contents of the trough 12 during operation of the vibratory finishing machine 10. This arrangement is preferred in instances in which the imbalance otherwise would seriously impede the efi'icient operation of the machine 10.

The arrangement of FIG. 5 is similar to the arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4, except that the shafts 46 of the respective mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 are centered between the sides of the trough 12.

In the arrangement of FIG. 6 and in the arrangement of FIG. '7, in which the shafts 46 of the respective mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 again are centered between the sides of the trough 12, the shafts 46 are parallel to each other but are not aligned with each other. In the arrangement of FIG. 6, the shaft 46 of the first mechanical vibrator 42 is coupled to the shaft 46 of the second mechanical vibrator 44 by means of a connecting shaft 70 having a first end connected at a universal coupling 72 to the shaft 46 of the first mechanical vibrator 42 and a second end connected at a universal coupling 74 to the shaft 46 of the second mechanical vibrator 44. The connecting shaft 70 is preferred over a resilient connector or the like in order to insure that the shaft 46 of the mechanical vibrator 44 does not vibrate with respect to the shaft 46 of the mechanical vibrator 42. In the arrangement of FIG. 7, the shaft 46 of the first mechanical vibrator 42 is coupled to the shaft 46 of the second mechanical vibrator 44 by means of an endless belt engaging a first pulley 82 on the shaft 46 of the first mechanical vibrator 42 and a second pulley 84 on the shaft 46 of the second mechanical vibrator 44. Inasmuch as the central axes L, of the shafts 46 of the respective mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 remain generally stable with respect to a fixed frame of reference found in the vibratory finishing machine 10, the tension on the belt 80 does not fluctuate beyond normal limits during operation of the machine 10. Alternatively, a gear train or other suitable power transmission may be used in place of the belt 80 and pulleys 8284.

As shown, the aforementioned prime mover 62 is in the form of an electrical motor rigidly mounted to a base plate 92 which in turn is rigidly mounted on a pair of fixed frame members 94. As shown, the motor 90 is arranged to drive the mechanical vibrators 42 and 44 by means of an endless belt engaging a pulley 102 on the shaft 104 of the motor 90 and a pulley 106 on the shaft 46 of the first mechanical vibrator 42.

Modifications and improvements may be suggested by the foregoing description to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of this invention should be de termined from the following claims.

I claim:

1. A vibratory finishing machine comprising an elongated trough having an inlet end and an outlet end and having a longitudinal axis which is horizontal when said trough is at rest, said trough being adapted at said inlet end to receive abrasive finishing media into which w0rkpieces to be finished may be introduced and at said outlet end to discharge the contents of said trough, and trough vibrating means for vibrating said trough in such a manner as to impart generally orbital movement to the contents of said trough about an axis of orbital movement disposed in a horizontal plane and oriented at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical plane comprising the longitudinal axis of said trough, whereby generally toroidal movement is imparted to the contents of the trough.

2. The vibratory finishing machine of claim 1 wherein said angle is approximately from 1 to 2".

3. The vibratory finishing machine of claim 1 wherein said angle is not in excess ofapproximately 20.

4. The vibratory finishing machine of claim 1 wherein said trough vibrating means comprises first and second vibratory mechanisms operatively associated with said trough so as to impart said generally orbital movement to the contents of said trough.

5. The vibratory finishing machine of claim 1 wherein said vibratory mechanisms are coupled to each other so as to permit one to be driven from the other in phase.

6. The vibratory finishing machine of claim 5 wherein each of said vibratory mechanisms comprises a cylindrical shaft having a longitudinal central axis about which said shaft is rotatable, cylindrical eccentric cam means mounted to said shaft for conjoint rotation with said shaft upon the central axis of said shaft, a housing having cylindrical inner surface means surrounding and being spaced from said cam means, bearing means intermediate said cam means and said inner surface means of said housing to permit rotation of said cam means relative to said housing, and counterbalancing means for generally centrifugally counterbalancing said shaft, said housing being rigidly connected to said trough so as to orient the central axis of said shaft at said predetermined acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said trough, the shaft of said second vibratory mechanism being coupled to the shaft of said first vibratory mechanism for conjoint rotation.

7. The vibratory finishing machine of claim '6 wherein the shaft of said first vibratory mechanism is aligned with the shaft of said second vibratory mechanism.

8. The vibratory finishing machine of claim 7 wherein the shaft of said first vibratory mechanism is coupled to the shaft of said second vibratory mechanism by means of a connecting shaft aligned with said shafts between said shafts and rigidly connected to said shafts.

9. The vibratory finishing machine of claim 6 wherein the shaft of said first vibratory mechanism is parallel to the shaft of said second vibratory mechanism.

10. The vibratory finishing machine of claim 9 wherein the shaft of said first vibratory mechanism is coupled to the shaft of said second vibratory mechanism by means of a connecting shaft having a first end connected at a universal coupling to the shaft of said first vibratory mechanism and a second end connected at a universal coupling to the shaft of said second vibratory mechanism.

11. The vibratory finishing machine of claim 9 wherein the shaft of said first vibratory mechanism is coupled to the shaft of said second vibratory mechanism by means of an endless belt engaging a first pulley on the shaft of said first vibratory mechanism and a second pulley on the shaft of said second vibratory mechanism.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,973,606 3/ 1961 Brandt 517 2,997,813 8/1961 Brandt 51-7 3,063,207 11/1961 Moore 51163 3,148,483 9/1964 Van Fossen 517 3,063,207 11/1962 Moore 51163 3,337,997 8/1967 Rampe 51163 3,371,449 3/1968 Olson 517 WILLIAM R. ARMSTRONG, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 51163

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