摘要 |
<p>A metal chip and shaving compactor includes a compaction housing (80) having a compaction chamber (82) with a compaction piston (64) extending into the chamber. Metal chips and shavings are admitted to the chamber through an inlet opening (84). Separate ball screw drive mechanisms (50 and 92, 94) move the piston and the compaction housing along an axis (58) between positions where each is either proximal or distal from the base (30). Independent operation of the ball screw drive mechanisms permits metal chip and shaving to be admitted into the chamber, compacted and subsequently discharged as compacted puck-like pellets. Computer controls (162) operate the ball screw drive mechanisms and sense (182, 184, 186) operation of the compactor based on rotational positions of the screw drives of the ball screw drive mechanisms.</p> |