Abstract: A conveyance device includes: moving members 3A and 3B that move along a table 7 for disposing an article 5 thereon; shafts 21A and 21B that are rotatably connected to the moving members 3A and 3B; a contact member 22 configured to come into contact with the article 5, the contact member 22 being connected to the shafts 21A and 21B; inhibiting mechanisms 23A and 23B that inhibit rotation of the shafts 21A and 21B so that the contact member 22 is held above the article 5, the inhibiting mechanisms 23A and 23B being disposed at the moving members 3A and 3B; and dogs 24A and 24B that come into contact, at a predetermined location with the inhibiting mechanisms 23A and 23B to deactivate inhibition of rotation of the shafts 21A and 21B by the inhibiting mechanisms 23A and 23B, thereby lowering the contact member 22 toward the table 7.

Abstract: An adjustable circuit for a personal electric cleaning care appliance comprises comprising a power supply portion and a driver is disclosed. The driver comprises a transducer, a drive coil and an iron core of the drive coil, and a drive shaft of the transducer is equipped with cleaning elements. The adjustable circuit comprises a microchip processor and an H-bridge drive circuit. By connecting a capacitor bank and the drive coil in series at load ends of the H-bridge drive circuit, at least a part of the capacitors of the capacitor bank is controllably connected in series with the drive coil or disconnected from the drive coil, the capacitance of the connected capacitor can be controlled so that the current flowing through the drive coil is controllably limited to a certain value, thereby, the motion amplitude of the cleaning elements can be controlled, and no additional electromagnetic interference will occur.

Abstract: An automated food slicing device is provided. The automated food slicing device may automate the cutting, packaging, and/or labelling of food items such as delicatessen food items. The automated food slicing device may also have a computerized input that allows a user to provide inputs regarding selected options which the slicing device will follow to provide a customized food product.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus (104) for transferring a workpiece (116) has a support surface (124) for supporting a workpiece (116). The transfer apparatus (104) has a carriage (128) movable with respect to the support surface (124) between a loading location and an unloading location. The transfer apparatus (104) further has a drive mechanism (146, 150) operatively connected to the carriage (128) for moving the carriage (128). The carriage (128) has a lift member (230) moveable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the support surface (124). The carriage (128) further has a push member (292) operatively connected with the lift member (230) to enable engagement of a workpiece (116) with the push member (292) and the lift member (230) to lift at least a portion of the workpiece (116) from the support surface (124) to decrease the factional engagement between the workpiece (116) and the support surface (124).

Abstract: A system for manufacturing radionuclide generators includes an enclosure defining a radioactive environment. The enclosure includes radiation shielding to prevent radiation within the radioactive environment from moving to an exterior of the enclosure. The system also includes a conveyance system having a forward track and first carriages positioned on and movable along the forward track for conveying racks in a first direction. The conveyance system also includes a first walking beam mechanism magnetically coupled to the first carriages to move the first carriages. The conveyance system further includes a return track and second carriages positioned on and movable along the return track for conveying racks in a second direction opposite the first direction. The forward track and the return track form a loop.

Abstract: An automated guided vehicle is provided and includes a frame in which a driving wheel is accommodated and an actuator that is connected to lift and lower a first portion of the frame centered around a hinge part formed at a second portion of the frame. Only one side of the frame is lifted to lift the driving wheel from the floor, thus reducing capacity and power consumption of the driving motor, and a region for space utilization is increased by reducing a size by applying the driving motor.

Abstract: In the present invention, a pump driving circuit includes a step-up unit that steps up a first DC voltage from a power supply and outputs it as a second DC voltage, and an H bridge unit that has first and second series circuits that each include two switching elements connected in series between a high potential corresponding to the second DC voltage and a reference potential. According to a control signal from the control unit, the two switching elements of the first series circuit and the two switching elements of the second series circuit are switched on and off. A voltage generated between a first contact point between the two switching elements of the first series circuit, and a second contact point between the two switching elements of the second series circuit is used as a driving voltage for driving a pump.

Abstract: A two mass, single motor bi-directional conveyor for conveying solid objects, granular and powder material. The unit utilizes the two mass sub-resonant natural frequency system driven by a single motor with counterweight wheels. The forces created by the rotation of the counterweight wheels results in a trough stroke at an angle from the horizontal pan resulting in material motion. The trough stroke is absorbed with isolation springs mounted between the conveyor and the ground.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly is described and which includes a reciprocally moveable conveyor bed, having a product conveying surface, and a reactive mass electrical transducer, which is oriented in spaced relation relative to the conveyor bed and which, when energized, imparts reciprocal motion to the conveyor bed to move the product along the product conveying surface of the conveyor bed.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a base, a sliding mechanism and a bearing mechanism. The base includes a mounting plate and a fixed bracket fixed on the mounting plate. The sliding mechanism includes a bottom plate slidably mounted on the mounting plate, a mounting platform fixedly mounted upon the bottom plate, a conveying assembly and a driver. The conveying assembly includes a driving wheel, a driven member and a conveying belt sleeved on the driving wheel and the driven member. The driver is mounted on the bottom plate and connected with the driving wheel. The bearing mechanism is slidably mounted on the mounting platform, and fixed with the conveying belt. The driving wheel and the driven member are oppositely and rotatably mounted on the bottom plate, the fixed bracket is positioned adjacent to the driven member and fixed with the conveying belt.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a base, a sliding mechanism and a bearing mechanism. The base includes a mounting plate and a fixed bracket fixed on the mounting plate. The sliding mechanism includes a bottom plate slidably mounted on the mounting plate, a mounting platform fixedly mounted upon the bottom plate, a conveying assembly and a driver. The conveying assembly includes a driving wheel, a driven member and a conveying belt sleeved on the driving wheel and the driven member. The driver is mounted on the bottom plate and connected with the driving wheel. The bearing mechanism is slidably mounted on the mounting platform, and fixed with the conveying belt. The driving wheel and the driven member are oppositely and rotatably mounted on the bottom plate, the fixed bracket is positioned adjacent to the driven member and fixed with the conveying belt.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a conveyor belt, a plurality of rollers, and a flight. The rollers have lower surfaces configured to engage a roller-engagement surface, and upper surfaces that substantially form a plane, such that the rollers engage the roller-engagement surface and rotate to move an object supported by the rollers over the plane. The flight includes a cam configured to engage a cam surface below the conveyor belt to impart a moment on the flight, and a projection that responds to the moment by rotating from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: A shaker conveyor assembly for moving objects includes a conveying element adapted for movement in first and second directions in repeated rectilinear fashion so as to convey items placed on the conveying element in one of the directions. The assembly includes an electric drive assembly having an output, a control assembly, and at least one sensor adapted to sense movement of the output. The control assembly provides a first level of electrical power to the electric drive assembly during a first portion of reciprocal movement and a second level of power to the electric drive assembly during a second portion of reciprocal movement. In addition, the control assembly provides selective control over the duration of the first and second portions of the reciprocal movement thereby controlling the speed of each of the directions of reciprocal movement of the conveying element.

Abstract: A transition plate assembly and a position sensor assembly are used to detect a dislodged or removed transition plate from a gap between the discharge end of a conveyor and the first end of a run-out ramp. The position sensor assembly may detect a safe seated position of a hinged transition plate protecting the gap and generate a motor-enabling signal to a drive motor that drives the conveyor. An interrupted motor-enabling signal, corresponding to an unsafe condition, may turn off the drive motor to prevent damage to articles or persons until an enabling signal is restored. In one embodiment, the termination of the power to the drive motor continues until a delay period has elapsed following the detection of an enabling signal.

Abstract: Plural receiving recesses are radially formed at the periphery of the disc-like rotating body. The rotating body is rotatably installed at the base, and the cylindrical cover is provided at outside of the periphery of the rotating body. From the receiving region of the receiving recess for receiving the waterproof seal to downstream side of the rotational direction of the rotating body, the first brush and the second brush are attached with the cover and at the further downstream side, the detection device and the take-out device are mounted on the base in order.

Abstract: A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.

Abstract: A vibration management system for a work machine may include at least one machine component configured to respond to input commands from an operator of the machine. One or more vibration sensors may be configured to output a signal indicative of a vibration level experienced by the operator. A controller may be configured to monitor the output signal from the one or more vibration sensors and determine an average vibration level experienced by the operator. The controller may also be configured to monitor the input commands from the operator and calculate a predicted response of the at least one machine component to at least one of the input commands. The controller may also be configured to determine a predicted vibration effect on the operator based on the predicted response and adjust an actual response of the at least one machine component to the at least one operator input command based on the predicted vibration effect and the average vibration level.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for sorting pellets (2), that includes a transportation device (3) for feeding the pellet (2), a first container (8) for faultless pellets (2a) fed over the end portion of the transportation device (3), a second container (13) for defective pellets (2b), a detector (9) for detecting defective pellets (2b) and a sorting device (11) for feeding any defective pellets (2b) detected to the second container (13). The invention is characterised in that the transportation device (3) is arranged with an angle of inclination (&agr;) relative to the horizontal plane which is selected within a predetermined interval corresponding to a predetermined, limited scattering of the trajectory of the faultless pellets (2a) fed over the end portion of the transportation device (3). The invention also relates to a method for such a sorting. Thanks to the invention, an improved sorting with an even and controlled flow of pellet and a high capacity is provided.

Abstract: A plurality of trough displacement characteristics and drive signals for driving a drive unit 26 for a trough 25 are determined in association with each other and the speed of transport of the articles M transported by the trough 25 having one of the trough displacement characteristics is also determined. Accordingly, a plurality of relationships between the transport speed of the articles M and the drive signal of the drive unit 26 can be determined and, based on these relationships and merely by inputting a target speed to be attained by the articles M, the drive signal for the drive unit 26 can easily be selected which enables the speed of transport of the articles M to attain the target speed.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a vibratory conveyor including a detector applicable to detect when the depth of product on the conveyor is at a determined minimum value. The product-conveying rate of the conveyor is adjusted so that the depth is maintained at or around the minimum value. This is done by logging the total time, during a given period, for which the depth of the product exceeds, or falls below, the determined minimum value, and varying the product-conveying rate depending upon whether the total time that product is detected is more or less than a given percentage of the period.

Abstract: A vibratory system for a vibration feeder includes pulse means for generating electrical digital pulse signals. A controller controllably converts the electrical digital pulse signals either into an incrementally increasing or decreasing DC voltage level. At least one vibration block is coupled to the controller for being increased or decreased in its amplitude of vibration in response to the respective incrementally increasing or decreasing DC voltage level generated by the controller. A remotely located additional controller, such as a programmable logic controller, may be coupled to the controller for transmitting electrical digital pulse signals to control the amplitude of vibration.

Abstract: A conveying system with a frame supporting a conveying member suitable to move products thereon. A drive, which is preferably an electromagnetic drive having a mass that vibrates back and forth along a substantially straight path, is connected to the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling a vibrating feeder applies a drive signal to a vibrating mechanism connected to the vibrating feeder at a first predetermined power level, and subsequently applies the drive signal to the vibrating mechanism at a second predetermined power level which is greater than zero and lower than the first predetermined power level whereby an amplitude of vibration of the vibrating feeder converges towards a target amplitude. Another method and apparatus of controlling a vibrating feeder applies a drive signal having a phase to a vibrating mechanism connected to the vibrating feeder at a first phase and subsequently applies the drive signal to the vibrating mechanism at a second phase which is different from the first phase, whereby an amplitude of vibration of the vibrating feeder converges towards a target amplitude.

Abstract: A drive circuit for an electromechanically excited vibratory conveyor responds to the inductance fluctuations of the conveyor drive coil due to mechanical vibration so as to feed the coil with drive pulses having a repetition frequency commensurate with the natural frequency of the mechanical vibration. Phase and duration of the drive pulses are automatically regulated.

Abstract: Disclosed is the drive apparatus for the powder feeder, which has; the duty ratio control circuit 12 which applies the alternating voltage with the resonance frequency to the vibrator 10 during a time corresponding to the duty ratio; the current monitor 15 which detects the residual frequency of the electro motive force produced due to the residual oscillation of the vibrator 10 when the alternating voltage with the resonance frequency is not applied from the duty ratio control circuit 12 and feeds back the detected residual frequency to the PLL control circuit 11 through the zero-cross comparator 17.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an elliptical vibratory apparatus including a first controller which includes at least a first phase shifter, a first high-gain amplifier and a first saturating element; a first power amplifier for amplifying an output of the first controller; a first vibratory exciter receiving an output of the first power amplifier for generating a horizontal vibrational force in a horizontal direction; a horizontal vibrational system of an elliptical vibratory machine receiving said horizontal vibrational force; a vibrational displacement detector for detecting a horizontal displacement of a movable part of the elliptical vibratory machine in the horizontal direction, the output of the vibrational detector being supplied to both the input of the first controller and the input of a second controller; the second controller including at least a second phase shifter, a second high-gain amplifier and a second saturating element; a second power amplifier for amplifying an output of the second controlle

Abstract: The present invention provides a stroke control system for a vibratory conveyor which has a vibrating trough driven by a variable frequency motor. The stroke control system includes a transducer connected to the vibrating trough for sensing a vibration amplitude and for providing an output signal in response thereto. A motor control circuit is responsive to the transducer output signal for reducing the frequency of the motor when the output exceeds some threshold value.

Abstract: An orientation parts feeder for successively feeding parts wherein each part has an irregular cross section. The feeder includes a rotating drum supported for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis. The drum has on its inner cylindrical surface a plurality of circumferentially spaced wing plates, a transfer chute having a longitudinal parts guide channel, and a first and a second incorrectly-oriented-parts discriminating and removing mechanism disposed in succession on a downstream end portion of the parts guide channel. The first incorrectly-oriented-parts discriminating and removing mechanism has a response time which is shorter than that of the second incorrectly-oriented-parts discriminating and removing mechanism. The feeder is able to remove parts having undesirable postures with sufficient reliability and stability to ensure a high speed conveyance of the parts.

Abstract: In a vibratory parts-feeder, a bowl is combined with a base block by plural sets of single leaf spring. A controller is connected to an electro-magnetic coil of a drive part for the parts feeder. The bowl is torsionally vibrated nearly at a resonant frequency and at a desired amplitude with automatic or manual adjustment of the controller.

Abstract: A powder coating apparatus feeds fine powdered coating material such as thermoplastic type material to a succession of discrete articles passing by the apparatus which includes a vibratory feeder bowl and a spiral track for delivering a substantially constant supply of powdered coating material to the articles. A sensor is also used to regulate an amount of powdered coating material supplied by an auger to the vibratory feeder. The invention also provides a powder feed system that deposits an excess of powdered coating material than that required to form the coating and provides for recirculation of the powder not ultimately used to form the coating back to the powder feeding apparatus.

Abstract: In a vibratory apparatus including vibratory speed detector for detecting a vibratory speed of a vibratory machine, a self-excited oscillation controller for amplifying the output of the vibratory speed detector at a feed-back gain K, receiving the output of the vibratory speed detector as a positive feed-back signal, a power amplifier for power-amplifying the output of the self-excited oscillation controller and a vibratory exciter receiving the output of the power amplifier for vibrating the vibratory machine, the feed back gain K is changed in accordance with the equation; K=K.sub.1 .DELTA.r+K.sub.3 (.DELTA.r).sup.3 +Kcr, where .DELTA.r represents the amplitude difference between a predetermined amplitude and the present amplitude, K.sub.1, K.sub.3 constants, and Kcr critical stability gain.

Abstract: This invention aims at reducing the vibration occurring during a motion of a vacuum transfer apparatus in a transfer press, and preventing the misfeeding of a workpiece. To achieve this object, accelerometers (30, 32) are set on one of lift bars (1) and a crossbar (21) laid laterally on a crossbar carrier (20) on each of right and left lift bars (1), and they are connected to a controller (34) through integrators (31, 33). An actuator (10) is provided on a drive rod (8) via which a lift lever (7) and a lift box (3) are connected together, and a hydraulic servo-valve (11) and the controller (34) are connected to each other through a servo-amplifier (35).

Abstract: A powder coating apparatus and method are provided for feeding fine powdered coating material such as thermoplastic type material to a succession of discrete articles passing by the apparatus. The invention also provides a powder feed system that deposits an excess of powdered coating material than that required to form the coating and provides for recirculation of the powder not ultimately used to form the coating back to the powder feeding apparatus.

Abstract: A vibratory system for changing or maintaining a resultant vibratory force supplied to a spring support conveyor trough has a pair of spaced, parallel shafts and phase elements for supplying a resultant to force to the trough. A sensing device generates a signal corresponding to the real time phase angle between the phase elements. This signal is compared to a signal corresponding to the desired phase angle and the real time phase angle is essentially the same as the desired phase angle thereby providing the desired resultant force to the conveyor.

Abstract: Single drive conveyor apparatus including an elongated material-conveying conveyor having a vibration generator connected to one end thereof and vibrating the same substantially only in a direction parallel with the longitudinal centroidal axis thereof and including two pairs of parallel vibration-generating shafts, each pair having axial displacement relative to the other and each shaft of each pair carrying eccentrically mounted weights generating equal forces and rotating in opposite directions, each pair of shafts rotating at different speeds and each pair carrying a pair of equal force-generating and eccentric weights different from that of the other, a continuous flexible drive element having opposed continuums extending around and in driving relation to each of the pairs of shafts, and controllably shiftable phase-adjustment/motion-altering mechanism engaging each of the continuums and shortening one of the continuums while lengthening the other as the mechanism shifts to thereby controllably alter the

Abstract: A cop individualizing apparatus operates a circular conveyor of the type having a helical cop guide track on a vibratory basis by providing two unbalanced electromotors whose speed is controllably varied via a frequency converter alternating between two frequency stages as a function of the instantaneous cop supply requirement of an associated cop dispensing device fed by the individualizing apparatus, in order to assure advancement of the cops along the transport track of the circular conveyor in precise relation to the particular instantaneous cop requirement.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor of the walking beam type is presented in which a walking shuttle mechanism selectively lifts articles from a stationary portion of a conveyor only when downstream positions of the stationary portion of the conveyor are free to receive them. Sensors at each holding station along the shuttle mechanism are used to detect the absence or presence of an article at each holding station to supply a detection signal to the conveyor controller.

Abstract: A dual drive conveyor system which has a vibration control mechanism for adjusting the application of vibratory force to the material-conveying member without changing the direction of the resultant line of vibratory force generated thereby, wherein the vibration generator connected to the material-conveying member includes a pair of opposing parallel counter-rotating eccentrically weighted master shafts driven by a first drive motor, and a pair of opposing parallel counter-rotating eccentrically weighted slave shafts driven by a second drive motor, the master and slave shafts rotating in such manner that the direction of the resultant line of vibratory force is substantially only parallel with the longitudinal centroidal axis of the material-conveying member.

Abstract: A system controls the feed rate of parts delivered by a parts feeder having a vibrating unit to be vibrated with a predetermined amplitude for delivering parts and a driving unit for driving the vibrating unit. The control system has a parts detector for detecting parts delivered by the vibrating unit. A power transistor bridge supplies an alternating driving electric current to the driving unit. A driving voltage controlling circuit applies a predetermined direct current voltage to the power transistor bridge. A power transistor base driving circuit causes the power transistor bridge to function at a predetermined driving frequency. A central processing unit measures the supply rate of parts based on a signal transmitted by the parts detector and transmits a signal for regulating the driving voltage to the driving voltage controlling circuit and a signal for regulating the driving frequency to the power transistor base driving circuit in response to the supply rate of parts.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of coating an article by the use of electro-static attraction of ionized particles which are subsequently cured. The apparatus includes a first foraminous conveyor for carrying the article through a powder coating zone and a second conveyor for carrying the article through a curing zone. The surface of the article which rests on the foraminous conveyor is cleaned of particles as the article is transferred from the first foraminous conveyor to the second conveyor. The first foraminous conveyor is also cleaned of particles after the article has been transferred. After the articles have been cured to form a coating on the article, the article is put through the coating system again except that the article is supported on the conveyor so that the surface which was not coated in the first pass through the system is out of contact with the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided for transporting a product such as a snack food product or crisps. A plurality of main line conveyors are arranged end to end, and a crossfeeder conveyor extends transversely from a lateral edge of the downstream end of each main line conveyor. The main line conveyors are arranged to vibrate both longitudinally and laterally, for example by the use of leaf springs arranged at an angle. Selective actuation of the various main line conveyors and crossfeeder conveyors enables product to be transported to selected ones of the crossfeeder conveyors as desired.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus including a vibratory feedbowl, a circuit for providing impulses, and a manually adjustable controller connected to the impulse circuit for providing a controlled conductance path to the impulse circuit to controllably vibrate the feedbowl. An improved controller includes a sensor connected to the vibratory feedbowl for providing a signal proportional to the actual amplitude of the feedbowl. A set point control provides a desired amplitude signal for the feedbowl. An automatic controller connected to the sensor and the set point control provides a control signal proportional to the difference between the desired amplitude and the actual amplitude. An override circuit connecting the automatic controller to the manually adjustable controller provides an override conductance path to the impulse circuit proportional to the control signal to vibrate the feedbowl at approximately the desired amplitude.

Abstract: A control for regulating the AC voltage provide to a vibratory feeder, which includes electronic circuitry for generating a "desired" voltage signal, feedback circuitry for generating an "actual" voltage signal, a logic circuit for comparing the "desired" and "actual" voltage signals and generating a difference signal, and a controller which uses the difference signal to generate a control signal for regulating the AC voltage provided to the feeder. An initialization circuit enables the control a predetermined time after AC power is applied and an automatic relay couples a DC power source to the control for selective adjustment of the control output. A fault circuit automatically shuts down the control if the feedback signal is lost when the "desired" voltage signal is at or turned down to a predetermined level. A maximum AC output indicator identifies the optimum setting for a maximum output adjustment, regardless of load, and a ramp function determines the build-up and decay of the AC output voltage.

Abstract: A method of operating a magnetically driven vibrating conveyor under different conveying loads with a constant excitation frequency. The natural frequency of the conveyor is set without a conveying load so that with a load the natural frequency of the conveyor approaches the operating frequency of the conveyor with increasing attenuation and, with a maximum load of material to be conveyed, the natural frequency of the conveyor is approximately equal to the excitation frequency of the dual mass vibratory system. Additionally, the vibration amplitude of the dual masses of the magnetic drive is regulated to a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a vibratory parts feeder, an output power of an inverter supplying AC voltage to each vibration generator (electric power supplied to the vibration generator) or input power to the inverter is controlled so as to reach the maximum during the feeding operation so that the operational frequency is automatically adjusted to the resonant frequency. That is, upon increase or decrease of the operational frequency at predetermined intervals, the value of power supplied to each vibration generator or the inverter input power is obtained. The obtained value is compared with the last obtained value whose data is stored in a storage.

Abstract: Control apparatus for a vibratory feeder has two control loops, one for controlling displacement amplitude and one for controlling displacement frequency. The two loops operate independently of each other, and use different feedback signals. The displacement amplitude control loop updates the amplitude of a continuous feeder actuator drive signal at a first predetermined rate, and the displacement frequency control loop updates the frequency of the drive signal at a second predetermined rate substantially slower than the first rate.

Abstract: A parts feeder is provided for singulating a plurality of different unique parts without major modification. The feeder has a fabric oriented platform which is mounted on top of a vibrator. A load section is provided for accepting the parts in bulk and imparting movement to the parts in a general first direction. A compound inclined ramp section which is also fabrically oriented imparts movement to the parts in a second direction and causes the non-singulated parts to fall and return to the load section. A second drop off ramp accepts the singulated parts from the first ramp imparts movement of the singulated parts to a desired workstation. A gate is mounted between the load section and the inclined ramp. In a closed position the gate allows the unique parts to move between the load section and the first ramp.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a vibratory apparatus such as vibratory feeders and vibratory conveyors. An accelerometer is provided for sensing the acceleration of vibratory movement of the vibratory apparatus. The signal generated by the sensing system is transmitted to a control which is capable of modifying the amplitude or the frequency of the vibratory movement imparted to the apparatus and thereby to regulate the operation of the vibratory conveyor or feeder.

Abstract: Green sand molds for use in casting operations are made automatically by a matchplate molding system. Features of the system include (1) pneumatic apparatus for filling the cope and drag flasks with sand (2) a pusher on the drag flask for shifting molds of various shapes to a transfer conveyor (3) a carriage supporting the drag flask for vertical and lateral movement (4) a lower sand magazine which moves laterally to open and close a sand chute gate while also being movable vertically relative to the gate (5) a squeeze head movable between various positions enabling control over the volume of sand delivered to the cope and drag flasks (6) a vibrator for directly vibrating the matchplates (7) liners for releasably holding molds in the flasks (8) an accumulating conveyor for transferring the newly formed molds and (9) a pusher for shoving the molds off of the accumulating conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus of a feeder for singulating and feeding various shaped sized and shaped parts without major modification. The present invention also provides an arrangement which utilizes the feeder.