Abstract: A material finishing line including a essentially linear array of work stations is disclosed. A stationary support beam extends over the work stations and substatially encloses a transmission, and supports at least one crane body and a drive means to selectively propel the crane body along the support beam. The crane body is an assembly of components arranged to raise workpieces from the work stations towards the support beam. A `U` shaped cart supports lift means to provide power to raise a lift arm and supports the lift arm and a lift arm guide. The vertical extensions of the support beam and of the cart are reduced and nearly overlap, and the vertical extension of the lift arm may be lifted into substantially overlapping relationship with the vertical extension of the cart.

Abstract: A material finishing line which includes a plurality of finishing tanks disposed in a linear array and a self-propelled hoist movable along an elongated track extending parallel to the finishing line. The hoist includes a base which contains the propulsion and control mechanism, and a guide fixedly projecting upwardly from the base. A pick-up arm is slidably carried on the guide and is cantilevered therefrom over the finishing line so as to pass over successive tank locations as the hoist is propelled along the track. The pick-up arm is raised and lowered by an hydraulic ram coupled to the base, and is held in horizontal orientation by a pair of chains trained around sprockets affixed to the guide and attached to the pick-up arm.

Abstract: A hoist plating line comprising a plurality of plating tanks disposed in a linear array and an elongated track extending longitudinally above the tanks and including means for bodily moving the track between raised and lowered positions above the tanks. A plurality of carts are mounted on the track and are coupled by drive chains to electric motors disposed at one of the track ends for translating the carts longitudinally of the track above the tanks in both the raised and lowered positions of the track. The carts include carrier hands adapted to cooperate with pick-up adapters associated with workpieces suspended in the various tanks for lifting, translating and depositing the workpieces among the plating tank locations. A plurality of proximity detectors are spaced longitudinally of the track and cooperate with the carts for identifying plating locations associated with the various tanks disposed beneath the track.

Abstract: Automatic coating and drying apparatus wherein a stream of parts or elements is directed from above into an upright perforated basket spinning at low speed, and are simultaneously sprayed with a coating solution. When the basket is full, the loading and spraying cycles are terminated, and the basket is spun at high speed to throw excess solution off of the parts. The basket may be rotated to a position opening downwardly such that the parts spill therefrom into a suitable bin, after which the basket may be returned to the upright position so that the entire cycle may be repeated.