Bowl-type vibratory finishing machine

A bowl-type vibratory finishing machine, comprising:

• (a) a base structure;
• (b) a bowl structure having a central axis and defining a substantially annular chamber adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished;
• (c) a plurality of elastomeric mounts movably supporting the bowl structure on the base structure;
• (d) drive means for vibrating the bowl structure relative to the base structure substantially about a nodal point located along the central axis, the nodal point lying in a horizontally extending nodal plane;
• and
• (e) each of the mounts having one portion secured to the bowl structure and another portion secured to the base structure, the one and another portions defining an axis for each mount, the axis for each mount intersecting the central axis at a common point, the point of intersection being located above the nodal point at a location at or near the center of mass of the bowl and finishing media and workpieces carried by the bowl, and at least a portion of each mount lying in the nodal plane.

A bowl-type vibratory finishing machine, comprising:

• (a) a base structure;
• (b) a bowl structure having a central axis and defining a substantially annular chamber adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished, the chamber including a replaceable liner, the upper, radially innermost portion of which includes a vertically oriented straight-sided wall, each side wall of the bowl structure having portions which include a flat surface oriented vertically, the flat surfaces being in radial alignment with each other, the chamber also including:
• (i) a first ramp-shaped portion disposed along its bottom, the first ramp-shaped portion configured such that media and workpieces being processed in the bowl structure advance up the first ramp-shaped portion;
• (ii) a second ramp-shaped portion disposed adjacent the first ramp-shaped portion, the second ramp-shaped portion being connected to the first ramp-shaped portion at or near the apex of the first ramp-shaped portion and configured such that media and workpieces reaching the apex of the first ramp-shaped portion pass down the second ramp-shaped portion;
• and
• (iii) a displaceable ramp member, the ramp member comprising a generally flat plate hinged at one end, the ramp member being movable into an unloading position wherein that end of the ramp member spaced from the hinge contacts the first and second ramp portions near their interface, the ramp member configured such that, when the ramp member is in the unloading position, media and workpieces will advance up the first ramp portion and continue up the ramp member, the ramp member including straight-sided edge portions disposed adjacent the vertically oriented flat surfaces included as part of each side wall;
• (c) a plurality of elastomeric mounts movably supporting the bowl structure on the base structure, each of the mounts having one portion secured to the bowl structure and another portion secured to the base structure, the one and another portions defining an axis for each mount, the bowl structure being movable substantially about a nodal point on the central axis, the elastomeric mounts positioned such that their axes intersect the central axis at a point above the nodal point, the nodal point lying in a horizontal plane identified as a nodal plane, and at least a portion of the elastomeric mounts also lying in the nodal plane;
• (d) drive means for vibrating the bowl structure relative to the base structure to impart a finishing action to contents of the chamber, the drive means including a vertically oriented shaft, upper and lower eccentric weight assemblies which, upon rotation of the shaft, cause the bowl structure to vibrate, the upper eccentric weight assembly including an apertured plate secured to the shaft in a fixed radial position with respect to the shaft, and a plurality of weights securable to the plate, the weights being positionable at different circumferential locations on the plate to vary the vibratory characteristics of the bowl structure, the drive means also including a drive pulley secured to the shaft, the drive pulley lying substantially in the nodal plane;
• and
• (e) an unloading structure for removing finished workpieces from the chamber, the unloading structure including a housing extending outwardly of the bowl structure, the housing being spaced above the chamber, the housing including an opening in a bottom wall and having a screen positioned in the housing, the screen effecting separation of media and workpieces advancing across the screen, an inner end of the housing being positioned adjacent the displaceable ramp member such that when the ramp member is in the unloading position, media and workpieces advancing up the ramp member will be directed onto the screen, the ramp member including a flexible flap extending across the interface between the upper surface of the ramp and the housing, and the unloading structure including a retaining means to secure the screen within the housing, the retaining means being located at the edges of the screen, the retaining means comprising a raised strip secured to the screen at each side of the screen, the upper surface of the strips being inclined relative to the horizontal, the angle of inclination being such that media and workpieces always are directed onto the upper surface of the screen.

A bowl-type vibratory finishing machine, comprising:

• (a) a base structure;
• (b) a bowl structure having a central axis and defining a substantially annular chamber adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished;
• (c) a plurality of elastomeric mounts movably supporting the bowl structure on the base structure, each of the mounts having one portion secured to the bowl structure and another portion secured to the base structure, the one and another portions defining an axis for each mount;
• (d) drive means for vibrating the bowl structure relative to the base structure to impart a finishing action to contents of the chamber with the bowl structure moving substantially about a nodal point on the central axis;
• and
• (e) all of the elastomeric mounts being positioned such that the axes intersect the central axis at a common point, the common point being spaced from the nodal point.