Patent GB-1433426-A (GB)
Title: Automatic recipro-finishing machine
IPC: B24B31/00
Filed: 1973-08-20
Abstract: 1433426 Conveyer systems SHIKISHIMA TIPTON KK 20 Aug 1973 [18 Aug 1972 23 Aug 1972 20 Dec 1972] 39192/73 Heading B7L [Also in Division B3]  An automatic recipro-finishing machine in which workpieces are caused to reciprocate in a trough filled with abrasive chips comprises means for conveying a workpiece or workpiece holder, means for fixing the conveying means with a conveying chain and means for transferring the workpiece or workpiece holder from the conveying means to the finishing machine or from the finishing machine to the conveying means, and sequentially controlling means for conveying the workpiece or workpiece holder and attaching and detaching thereof to and from the finishing machine. The machine has a finishing apparatus 1, Fig. 1, to and from which a workpiece holder is transferred by means 2. A guide chain 4 entrained about sprockets 22, ... 25 drives a carrier 27, Fig. 6, along a guide path 3, the carrier carrying the holder to transfer means 2 for transferring the holder to and from a trough of the finishing machine 1. The chain also carries the holder through washing means 5 and a blowing means 6. The finishing machine consists of a trough 7, Fig. 5, filled with abrasive chips which may be wet or dry. Flanges 8, 8a at the ends of the trough are secured to rods 10, 10a of fluid cylinders 9, 9a carried by a top wall 12 of the machine. Shafts 13 are secured to the frame of the machine and slidably receive saddles 14, 14a interconnected by a rod 17 and fluid cylinder 16. The lower ends 15, 15a of the saddles are hook-shaped to engage the workpiece holder upon actuation of cylinder 16, and saddle 14 is connected by a rod 19 to a wheel 18 driven by a motor 20 to reciprocate the saddles, and hence the workpiece holder when the trough 7 is raised by cylinders 9, 9a to immerse the workpieces in the abrasive chips in the trough.  The transfer means consists of a frame 33, Fig. 1, extending between a loading position 55 and an unloading position 56 on opposite sides of the finishing machine. Shafts 35, 36 extend between opposite ends of the frame one on each side of a fluid cylinder 34 having a rod 37 secured to a feed means 38 having parts 39, ... 42 slidable on the shafts 35, 36. Feed pawls 45, 47, Fig. 6, extend downwardly from the parts 39, ... 42 and are rotatable in one direction only from their vertical position against the action of return springs. A number of guide rollers 49 on opposite sides of the trough 7 support the workpiece holder during movement by the pawls of the transfer means from the workpiece carrier 27 at the loading position 55 to the trough and from the trough to the carrier at the unloading position 56. The carrier has wheels 28 which engage a guide 3 as the carrier is moved along a rectangular path by the chain drive 4. Pins 30 and 30a, Fig. 7, extend upwardly from the floor of the carrier to serve as guides when loading the holder on the carrier. Vertical shafts 64, 64a extend downwardly from the carrier and carry wheels 63, 63a engaging flanges of the guide 3. A cam wheel 66 is mounted on the lower end of shaft 64 and connected by a spring 77 to shaft 64a. A pin 67 extends downwardly from the cam wheel and engages a drive pin 68 on the chain 4 whereby the carrier is driven by the chain. More than one carrier may be driven by the chain. A stop means for the carrier at the position 55 for transferring the holder to the finishing machine 1 consists of a frame 61, Fig. 6, having a fluid cylinder 51 for lowering stops 52, 52a. Shortly before the carrier is stopped, it is detached from the chain drive by a shoe 76, Fig. 9, which can be advanced by springs 81 under the control of a chain 75 connected to a fluid cylinder to engage the pin 67 and disengage it from the drive pin 68 on the chain, the inertia of the carrier carrying it to the stops 52, 52a. Similar means for detaching the carrier from the chain are provided at the position 31 for loading the workpiece holder on the carrier, at the position 56 for receiving the holder from the finishing machine, and at an unloading station 62 after the workpieces have been washed, treated with an anti-corrosive and steam blown. The workpiece holder may consist of a number of angle-shaped members 113, Figs. 15 and 16, interconnected by frames 108, 108a, the workpieces 109 being mounted on the members 113 between fixed blocks 110 and spring plates 111. In another embodiment, the workpieces are secured by fixing rods and screws to the holder.