Abstract: A helicoidal blade system is presented having an armature to facilitate bending of metal stock to form helicoidal blades. In one or more embodiments, the armature has an exterior surface that is generally conical in shape and includes a guide structure and an engagement track. The helicoidal blade system also includes drive coupler and motor that are operably coupled together. The drive coupler is configured to engage the engagement track of the conical armature and rotate the conical armature when the motor is operated. A blade metal feed apparatus is configured to feed the metal stock into the helical shaped guide structure as the conical armature is rotated. As the conical armature is rotated, the metal stock is bent around the armature within the helical shaped guide structure to form one or more helicoidal blades.

Abstract: A helicoidal blade system is presented having an armature to facilitate bending of metal stock to form helicoidal blades. In one or more embodiments, the armature has an exterior surface that is generally conical in shape and includes a guide structure and an engagement track. The helicoidal blade system also includes drive coupler and motor that are operably coupled together. The drive coupler is configured to engage the engagement track of the conical armature and rotate the conical armature when the motor is operated. A blade metal feed apparatus is configured to feed the metal stock into the helical shaped guide structure as the conical armature is rotated. As the conical armature is rotated, the metal stock is bent around the armature within the helical shaped guide structure to form one or more helicoidal blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for contouring particulate material may include a frame and at least one drum rotatably mounted on the frame such that the drum rotates substantially freely with respect to the frame about a central longitudinal axis. The drum may have opposite inboard and outboard ends and an outer surface therebetween. At least one blade may extend about the drum and protrude outwardly from the outer surface of the drum, and the blade may have an outer edge with a radius measured from the central longitudinal axis in a plane oriented in perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the drum to the outer edge. The outer edge of the blade may have a helical shape and the radius of the outer edge may be less at the outboard end of the drum than the radius of the outer edge at the inboard end of the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for contouring particulate material may include a frame and at least one drum rotatably mounted on the frame such that the drum rotates substantially freely with respect to the frame about a central longitudinal axis. The drum may have opposite inboard and outboard ends and an outer surface therebetween. At least one blade may extend about the drum and protrude outwardly from the outer surface of the drum, and the blade may have an outer edge with a radius measured from the central longitudinal axis in a plane oriented in perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the drum to the outer edge. The outer edge of the blade may have a helical shape and the radius of the outer edge may be less at the outboard end of the drum than the radius of the outer edge at the inboard end of the drum.