Control of a self-powered floor preparation machine is provided by an ergonomic controller having a guarded control stick which has various characteristics, including its pitch, roll, yaw and height, that may all be adjusted.

A part processing apparatus and method is disclosed that includes a media-blasting apparatus and a cleaning apparatus. The media-blasting apparatus is configured to blast a stream of media against a surface of a part, and the cleaning apparatus is configured to clean debris or particles from the surface of the part. The cleaning apparatus includes a first spray-and-wash unit, a first ultrasonic wash unit, a second ultrasonic wash unit, and a second spray-and-wash unit, which may be arranged in the listed order. Each of the units may be configured to utilize hot liquid or water to clean the part being processed. The first ultrasonic wash unit is configured to ultrasonically vibrate a liquid in the first ultrasonic wash unit at a first frequency, and the second ultrasonic wash unit is configured to ultrasonically vibrate a liquid in the second ultrasonic wash unit at a second frequency. The first and second frequencies may be different from each other, such that vibration at the second frequency causes additional debris or particles to be removed from the surface of the part that were not, or could not be, removed from exposure to vibration at the first frequency. The apparatus and method may further include a drying and/or inspection unit for the part after being processed in the cleaning apparatus.

A part processing apparatus and method is disclosed that includes a media-blasting apparatus and a cleaning apparatus. The media-blasting apparatus is configured to blast a stream of media against a surface of a part, and the cleaning apparatus is configured to clean debris or particles from the surface of the part. The cleaning apparatus includes a first spray-and-wash unit, a first ultrasonic wash unit, a second ultrasonic wash unit, and a second spray-and-wash unit, which may be arranged in the listed order. Each of the units may be configured to utilize hot liquid or water to clean the part being processed. The first ultrasonic wash unit is configured to ultrasonically vibrate a liquid in the first ultrasonic wash unit at a first frequency, and the second ultrasonic wash unit is configured to ultrasonically vibrate a liquid in the second ultrasonic wash unit at a second frequency. The first and second frequencies may be different from each other, such that vibration at the second frequency causes additional debris or particles to be removed from the surface of the part that were not, or could not be, removed from exposure to vibration at the first frequency. The apparatus and method may further include a drying and/or inspection unit for the part after being processed in the cleaning apparatus.

Method of cleaning a first material from a plasma processing apparatus, comprising: subjecting the plasma processing apparatus to a jet of a second material so as to remove the first material from the plasma processing apparatus; mixing the removed first material with a third material configured to dissipate the first material therein.

Method of cleaning a first material from a plasma processing apparatus, comprising: subjecting the plasma processing apparatus to a jet of a second material so as to remove the first material from the plasma processing apparatus; mixing the removed first material with a third material configured to dissipate the first material therein.

A shot processing apparatus in which a projection machine projects projection media onto a workpiece. The shot processing apparatus includes plural hanger transport devices and a control unit. The hanger transport devices are each, in a hanging state of a member on which a workpiece is set or a hanging state of a workpiece, capable of moving along a guide path inside the shot processing apparatus and capable of stopping. The hanger transport devices are also capable of providing self-identifying identification information. The control unit controls the hanger transport devices by outputting to each of the plural hanger transport devices a control signal appropriate to each of the hanger transport devices. This control is based on the identification information provided from each of the individual hanger transport devices and based on information related to each of the individual hanger transport devices stored in advance in association with the identification information.

A shot processing apparatus in which a projection machine projects projection media onto a workpiece. The shot processing apparatus includes plural hanger transport devices and a control unit. The hanger transport devices are each, in a hanging state of a member on which a workpiece is set or a hanging state of a workpiece, capable of moving along a guide path inside the shot processing apparatus and capable of stopping. The hanger transport devices are also capable of providing self-identifying identification information. The control unit controls the hanger transport devices by outputting to each of the plural hanger transport devices a control signal appropriate to each of the hanger transport devices. This control is based on the identification information provided from each of the individual hanger transport devices and based on information related to each of the individual hanger transport devices stored in advance in association with the identification information.

A guard for a part to be shot-blasted and having an axis of revolution, the guard including: a cover and a chamber shaped for receiving the part to be shot-blasted; the chamber having at least one planar section with a shape matching at least one planar section of the cover; two side guards mounted on the part to be shot-blasted and having one degree of freedom relative to the chamber and the cover, wherein the cover, the chamber and the two side guards form a box for sealing the shot, the box including a window for projecting the shot, the surface of which matches a portion of a surface of the chamber.

A guard for a part to be shot-blasted and having an axis of revolution, the guard including: a cover and a chamber shaped for receiving the part to be shot-blasted; the chamber having at least one planar section with a shape matching at least one planar section of the cover; two side guards mounted on the part to be shot-blasted and having one degree of freedom relative to the chamber and the cover, wherein the cover, the chamber and the two side guards form a box for sealing the shot, the box including a window for projecting the shot, the surface of which matches a portion of a surface of the chamber.

An apparatus for treating a surface has a vehicle including an extensible boom. A multi-purpose hood is attached to the boom. The hood includes at least one nozzle for spraying a fluid through an outlet of the hood, the nozzle adapted for reciprocating, non-rotational movement in a generally linear direction relative to the opening in the hood. The multi-purpose hood may be adapted for rotating independently about three different axes, and may include a first actuator for controlling a roll of the hood, a second actuator for controlling a yaw of the hood, a third actuator for controlling a pitch of the hood, and a fourth actuator for controlling an extension of the boom and a second actuator for controlling a swing of the boom. The extensible boom may be connected to a telescoping conduit for communicating fluid along the boom to or from the multi-purpose hood. Related methods are also disclosed.