Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a material handling, processing and milling facility which utilizes ball milling as a means for material grinding, mixing or mechanical alloying of materials. The system includes an automatic ball charging, agitating and indexing assembly, constructed and arranged to deagglomerate and directly distribute a plurality of grinding balls to the facility. Additional components of the system include an open raceway, in mechanical engagement with the automatic ball charging, agitating and indexing assembly, a bucket elevator for receiving the grinding balls from the open raceway and elevating them to a gravity fed transport system, at least one transporting device for receiving the grinding balls from the bucket elevator; and a ball mill for receiving the grinding balls from the at least one transporting device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a material handling, processing and milling facility which utilizes ball milling as a means for material grinding, mixing or mechanical alloying of materials. The system includes an automatic ball charging, agitating and indexing assembly, constructed and arranged to deagglomerate and directly distribute a plurality of grinding balls to the facility. Additional components of the system include an open raceway, in mechanical engagement with the automatic ball charging, agitating and indexing assembly, a bucket elevator for receiving the grinding balls from the open raceway and elevating them to a gravity fed transport system, at least one transporting device for receiving the grinding balls from the bucket elevator; and a ball mill for receiving the grinding balls from the at least one transporting device.