The sorting of balls in an automatic machine with a tapered gauge

Conclusions

Calculations, experimental data and the experience gained in using ball-sorting automatic machines with a tapered gauge lead to the following conclusions.

• 1. The durability of measuring surfaces in automatic machines with forced propulsion of balls is considerably larger (by a factor of 50) than that of the measuring surfaces in automatic machines with a free movement of balls. This is due to the smaller friction forces produced by the movement of balls over the rulers and by the armoring of their measuring surfaces with hard-alloy plates. The jamming of balls on the sloping surfaces of the left-hand ruler is prevented in automatic machines with forced propulsion of balls, whereas in automatic machines with free rolling of balls and the existing design of the measuring unit the balls often jam in the rulers, thus greatly reducing the reliability of sorting.

• 2. The elimination of indentations in the measuring rulers and the movement of balls at a constant speed reduces the static and dynamic errors of sorting.