The present invention includes a powder compaction device comprising a loading platform positioned above a lower platform; a compaction rod aperture positioned in the loading platform; a vertical tube positioned in communication with the compaction rod aperture; a compaction rod positioned in the compaction rod aperture and extending through the compaction rod aperture, wherein the compaction rod comprises one or more reliefs having a powder volume; a drive motor in communication with the vertical tube and connected to the compaction rod to move the compaction rod through the compaction rod aperture; a first funnel-shaped device positioned below the loading platform, wherein the first funnel-shaped device comprises a first funnel aperture, wherein the first funnel aperture aligns with the compaction rod aperture to move the compaction rod through the compaction rod aperture and the first funnel aperture; an adaptor platform secured to the lower platform and aligned with the compaction rod aperture; an ammunition cartridge fixture slidably secured in the adaptor platform, wherein the ammunition cartridge fixture comprises a funnel-shaped opening, an interior cartridge shaped void, and a funnel aperture connecting the funnel-shaped opening to the interior cartridge shaped void, wherein the funnel aperture is aligned with the compaction rod aperture and the first funnel aperture to accommodate the compaction movement of the compaction rod; an ammunition cartridge positioned in the ammunition cartridge fixture; a powder reservoir positioned in communication with the first funnel-shaped device to transport powder to the first funnel-shaped device; a compaction controller in communication with the drive motor and one or more sensors to control the direction of the motor to control the direction of movement of the compaction rod and the force applied to the compaction rod to control the compaction of the powder; and a powder metering controller in communication with the gate and one or more second sensors to control the amount of powder delivered and he powder is despised.

A dispenser for dispensing powder for firearm ammunition and associated methods. The dispenser can include a hopper, a conveyor, a scale, a dispenser controller, and a tangible storage medium storing instructions executable by the dispenser controller. The dispenser controller can execute a powder calibration sequence and/or a dispensing sequence. In the powder calibration sequence and/or the dispensing sequence, the dispenser controller desirably learns the dispense rate of the powder and uses the dispense rate to optimize dispensing of the powder and increase precision in dispensing a target mass of powder. The conveyor can comprise a conveyor tube having a conveyor tube axis oriented to extend at an upward angle with respect to horizontal.

A powder trickier is provided. The trickier includes a hopper for containing powder in bulk. A dispensing tube has a portion thereof in flow communication with the hopper. A vibrator is associated with the dispensing tube to induce powder flow from the hopper into and through the tube for dispensing powder from a tube outlet.

A dual-barrel powder dispenser is provided. The dual-barrel arrangement may offer a highly-accurate, and highly efficient system and method for dispensing a consistent amount of powder. A controller in communication with the interface may determine the speeds at which each barrel rotates in order to dispense a volume and weight of powder from a hopper to a receptacle. A scale may monitor and determine the total weight of powder dispensed into the receptacle resting on the scale. The entire assembly may be self-contained in a single integrated body.

A dual-barrel powder dispenser is provided. The dual-barrel arrangement may offer a highly-accurate, and highly efficient system and method for dispensing a consistent amount of powder. A controller in communication with the interface may determine the speeds at which each barrel rotates in order to dispense a volume and weight of powder from a hopper to a receptacle. A scale may monitor and determine the total weight of powder dispensed into the receptacle resting on the scale. The entire assembly may be self-contained in a single integrated body.

A powder dispensing device is provided including a housing; a hopper sized and shaped to engage the housing to form a reservoir; a first barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via one or more first apertures and having a first internal diameter; a second barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via one or more second apertures and having a second internal diameter, wherein the first internal diameter is greater than the second internal diameter; at least one motor coupled to the first barrel and the second barrel, the at least one motor configured to rotate the first barrel and the second barrel; a scale electrically coupled to a scale plate, the scale plate disposed on the housing and below the first barrel and the second barrel; and a user interface in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the scale, the user interface configured to receive a user-input.

An automated granule portioning system includes at least one volumetric measuring chamber capable of adjusting the volume of the chamber automatically to a programmed target volume and arranged to receive a first portion of granules into the chamber to fill the target volume. A transport system automatically delivers the target volume of granules from the chamber to a weighing device. A granule metering device dispenses granules and, depending on a signal from the weighing device that the first portion of granules is below a programmed target weight, dispenses granules to the first portion to increase the weight to achieve a second portion having the target weight.

A powder trickier is provided. The trickier includes a hopper for containing powder in bulk. A dispensing tube has a portion thereof in flow communication with the hopper. A vibrator is associated with the dispensing tube to induce powder flow from the hopper into and through the tube for dispensing powder from a tube outlet.

A method can include forming a mixture of an explosive and a thermally conductive material; disposing at least a portion of the mixture in a chamber of a capsule; and at least partially sealing the chamber.

The invention relates to an automated progressive ammunition, in particular cartridge, assembly apparatus (1) and method. The automated progressive ammunition assembly apparatus (1) according to the invention comprises a conveyor subsystem (4) and at least one assembly station (5). The at least one assembly station (5) comprises an actuator subsystem (8), a measurement subsystem (12) and a control subsystem (13). The conveyor subsystem (4) is adapted to transport the ammunition (2, 3) past the at least one assembly station (5) in an assembly direction (6) preferably along a rectilinear path. The actuator subsystem (8) is adapted to move a component (9), such as a powder or propellant (10) or a projectile (11), thereby adding the component to the ammunition. The component thus changes at least one physical parameter (P) of the ammunition. The measurement subsystem (12) is adapted to measure the at least one physical parameter and output a measurement signal (15), representative of the at least one physical parameter. In order to be able to meet very tight product specifications, and at the same time allow a quick change between the manufacture of different types of ammunition using the same apparatus (1), the subsystem (21) is adapted to control the actuator subsystem (8) depending on the measurement signal. The at least one assembly station (5) may, in particular, be a powder filling station (18) or a projectile insertion station (27) where powder (10) or a projectile (11) is added to the ammunition.