Abstract: An apparatus for coating graphite electrodes comprises a support having parallel horizontal guideways at one end of which is a fixed headstock whose spindle is coupled by gearing to a lead screw and is driven at a constant speed. At the other end of the guideways is a movable tailstock whose spindle is clamped by an electric motor and slip clutch against an electrode supported between the spindles. The lead screw drives a longitudinal slide which carries a plurality of cross-slides including a cleaning tool, a metal-depositing spray head, an arc-depositing head and a grinding device each on a respective cross-slide. The entire unit is enclosed in an acoustical housing having a lid which can be opened to permit lowering of the electrode into place and a door through which the operator can have access to the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for preheating a charge of raw material, illustratively an alloying charge, with hot gases prior to application of such charge to a ferroalloying kiln or other electric furnace is described. The charge to be preheated is loaded into a main vertically disposed reservoir which communicates at its bottom end with a combustion chamber adapted to generate the hot gases for preheating. A perforated transition cylinder is vertically disposed within the combustion chamber. Hot gases flow into the interior of the transition cylinder through the apertures and are directed upwardly through the charge stored in the main reservoir, thereby effecting the desired preheating action. The gases emerging from the top of the main reservoir enter a smoke chamber, from which they are discharged into suitable scrubbing and ventilating facilities. The preheated charge is selectively introduced into the electric furnace from the main reservoir via the transition cylinder.