METHOD OF SEPARATING WORKPIECES FROM CHIPS

摘要

There is provided a workpiece separation apparatus permitting input of a mixture of workpieces and chips stably within a flow current and separating them accurately and efficiently. The workpiece separation apparatus includes an input cylinder inserted within a separating container, and a fluid supplying means arranged so as to supply fluid to the separating container from a part lower than a lower end of the input cylinder, and configured such that the fluid overflows and flows out of the upper end of the separating container due to a flow current generated within the separating container, and such that the level of the fluid rises up in the input cylinder and the fluid does not flow out of the upper end of the input cylinder, but is maintained substantially in a resting state and at a level above the level of the upper end of the separating container.

主权项

1. A method of separating workpieces and chips using an apparatus comprising a separating container holding a fluid, said separating container having an upper end; an input cylinder through which a mixture of workpieces and chips can be introduced into said separating container, said input cylinder having an upper end above the upper end of the separating container, extending downward into said separating container, and having a lower end within the fluid in said separating container, whereby a portion of the fluid within said separating container is also within said input cylinder; and means for supplying fluid to the separating container through at least one inlet passage located below the lower end of the input cylinder; the method comprising:
introducing a mixture of workpieces and chips into said separating container through said input cylinder; supplying a fluid to the separating container, using said means for supplying fluid, thereby generating an upward flow of fluid within said separating container and causing said fluid, along with chips from said mixture, to overflow the upper end of the separating container; wherein said supplying of fluid is carried out at a rate such that, while said mixture of chips and workpieces is introduced into said separating container through said input cylinder, the fluid in said input cylinder is maintained substantially in a resting state and at a level above the level of said upper end of the separating container.