| 摘要 |
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for treating work pieces, and particularly to electroplating small metal articles such as nuts, bolts, arms, hangers and the like. The apparatus, with little variation, could also be used for cleaning, pickling, tumbling, blackening, dying, etc. The apparatus comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed cylinders, each having an inlet and an outlet, with the outlet of the first cylinder in communication with the inlet of a succeeding cylinder. The cylinders are rotatable about their axes in opposite directions and each has a spiral rib in the body thereof pitched in a certain direction, and a spiral rib in the outlet also pitched in said certain direction. Each cylinder also has a spiral rib in its inlet and this spiral is pitched in a direction opposite to that of the ribs in the cylinder body and the outlet thereof. When the first cylinder in the series of cylinders is rotated in a predetermined direction, workpieces fed to its inlet will be pushed by the spiral rib in said inlet to move into the cylinder body. With the first cylinder rotating in said predetermined direction, work pieces within the cylinder body are pushed toward the inlet end thereof by the spiral rib therein. When the first cylinder is rotated in an opposite direction, the spiral rib therein pushes the work pieces toward the cylinder outlet and the spiral rib in the latter will push the work pieces outwardly thereof and into the inlet of a succeeding cylinder, and the process will be continued by coordinating the rotation of the succeeding cylinders. This method of transfer of the work pieces provides a basis for a fully automated processing line.
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