Abstract: Workpieces such as sand-casted automobile engine blocks are cleaned by advancing a series of such workpieces axially into one end of an elongate, skeletal barrel that holds the workpieces and rotates or tumbles them in the path of impinging streams of particles. The workpieces are advanced from one end of the barrel to the other by oscillating the barrel along the longitudinal axis of the barrel. By this technique, workpieces can be advanced through the barrel without the need to push the workpieces against each other, or without the need to provide workpiece-engaging and advancing mechanisms.

Abstract: Apparatus for conditioning a granular material having a centrifugal throwing wheel for projecting the material radially against an impact surface member which completely surrounds and is spaced from the periphery of the wheel and includes an impact plate and ricochet plates. The impact plate is provided with generally radially disposed baffles with sides of adjacent baffles guiding and channeling the stream of material. The baffles are triangular in cross section with a forwardly facing side sloping at a lesser angle than the other side. The general course of granular material is downwardly through the apparatus and to retard this flow and thereby promote separation of granular material from fines, bed baffles which entrap and hold granular material are provided within the apparatus. Apparatus is provided for introducing a stream of air into the apparatus for transverse flow across the retarded downward stream of granulated material to effect separation of fines.

Abstract: Apparatus for retaining vanes in an abrasive blasting machine includes a rotatable runnerhead having a radially extending channel opening through one face of the runnerhead. A slot is included as part of the channel adjacent the radially outer end of the channel. A vane includes a base adapted to be disposed within the channel and retained there by a retaining pin fitted into the slot. A magnet is disposed in the slot in order to retain the pin in the slot at all times. The base includes a plurality of intersecting planar surfaces overlying the slot that cooperate to (1) enable the pin to be inserted and removed without displacing other machine components and (2) hold the pin securely in place during operation of the machine. The planar surfaces are configured such that the vane can be manufactured in a casting operation without using cores, thereby effecting significant cost savings.

Abstract: Workpieces such as sand-casted automobile engine blocks are cleaned by advancing a series of such workpieces axially into one end of an elongate barrel that holds the workpieces and rotates or tumbles them in the path of impinging streams of particles. The workpieces are advanced from one end of the barrel to the other by oscillating the barrel along the longitudinal axis of the barrel. By this technique, workpieces can be advanced through the barrel without the need to push the workpieces against each other, or without the need to provide workpiece-engaging and advancing mechanisms.

Abstract: Apparatus for etching a metal surface utilizes a specially shrouded centrifugal throwing wheel to effect a uniform, non-pulsating application of very fine, lightweight, impact blasting media. The resulting etched finish is of a fine-grained quality suitable for use in lithography. A replaceable, wear-resistant liner is provided within the shroud.

Abstract: A throwing wheel assembly for providing an even discharge of impact blast material along the face of a vane is disclosed herein. An impeller positioned in a non-parallel relationship to the outer impeller casing is also provided in a spatial relationship which aids in providing an even flow of impact blast material to the vanes. A deflector plate is provided for directing stray blast material onto the vanes.

Abstract: A barrel for use in treating workpieces, such as cleaning, scouring, deburring, etc., with abrasive blasting particles, high pressure fluid jets, etc. The barrel is intended to be rotated and includes a novel spiral flight which pushed workpieces through the barrel, a novel arrangement of drain holes for voiding the barrel of debris such as blast particles, flashings, cleaning fluid, etc., and includes novel turning cleats which cause workpieces to turn over within the barrel to expose various portions thereof to a blast stream of particles or fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing lumps of material, such as lumps of sand recovered from casting operations in metal foundries or lumps of ore and the like, including various forms of bonded abrasive grinding wheels for abrading the lumps and reducing them to particle or granular form.

Abstract: A substantially horizontally disposed drum is supported for rotation. One end of the drum is adapted to receive lumps of material which are granulated within the drum by abrasive particles which are projected from an abrasive throwing wheel. The drum includes a plurality of apertures through which the granulated material and abrasive particles are removed and subsequently conveyed to a separator for separating the granulated material from the abrasive particles. The apparatus may include a conditioner which scours the granulated material.