Abstract: A sorting machine receives a bulk of workpieces or fasteners from a hopper unit into a feed station which align the fasteners into a single file for engagement to a transport system of an inspection station. Preferably, the transport system has a conveyor belt with a magnetic member disposed radially inward from the belt. The fasteners are preferably ferrous and thereby engage the conveyor belt via the magnetic field which penetrates the belt. The fasteners are thus carried along the transport system past a trigger sensor which sends a signal to a central controller to timely actuate a dimensional sensing apparatus which takes an image of the fastener and sends it to the central computer for dimensional analysis. If the fastener fails to meet pre-established guidelines the nonconforming fastener is ejected from the transport system via a reject mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic sorting compression machine for iron, aluminum cans and plastic bottles. An inlet is provided atop the main body of the present invention. At least one detecting switch is arranged in a preset position of the inlet. A receptacle is disposed under the inlet. A one-way outlet and a two-way outlet are fitted at the front and rear ends of the receptacle. An exit selector controlled by a change-over magnetic valve is disposed at the two-way outlet. A container is placed under each of the three channels of the outlets. The press shaft of a spindle passes through the receptacle. The press shaft is fitted with an electrified magnet and an electrified pole at the front end thereof while another electrified pole opposite to the electrified pole is mounted in preset position of the main body. A microswitch is disposed in the farthest position of the press shaft being drawn back.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically magnetizing pieces cut to have an optional shape and size and sorting magnets magnetized in terms of quality. For the sorting, the apparatus includes a testing station for applying an external magnetic field in the form of pulses or the like to each magnet, sensing a variation in characteristic of the magnet caused by the applied magnetic field, and performing a measurement, an analysis and an evaluation for the characteristic of the magnet. The apparatus also includes a feeding station for separating one from magnets stacked in a supplying station and feeding it to the testing station, and a sorting station for sorting the tested magnet as a good one or as a bad one, based on the test result obtained in the testing station and putting it in a container.

Abstract: Elongated articles (13), having an undesirable shape caused by a bent lead (14), are distinguished from elongated articles (12) which are desirably straight. The bent articles (13) are separated from a mass of articles (12 and 13), most of which are substantially straight. The articles (12 and 13) are typically axially leaded diodes having leads (14) which are magnetic. Such diodes (12 and 13) are successively introduced between sidewalls (11 and 22) of a bin (17) having a magnetic field which orients each article transverse to guide members (28 and 29) extending lengthwise of the bin (17). Each oriented diode (12 and 13) presents a distinctive configuration according to its shape when viewed against a plane transverse to the guide members (28 and 29). The major portion of a bent diode (13) will be disposed lower than the major portion of a straight diode (12).