Embodiments according to the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for plant transportation using a smart conveyor. Embodiments of the present invention provide enhanced capabilities as a result of integrating robotic features, automations, artificial intelligence, queuing, fault control, automatic transport, scalability, safety measures, smaller footprint, and other computerized functions, along with a creative business model. In design of this invention the following high-level requirements were achieved: scalable for small, medium, and large businesses; safer than other machines in the market; sanitation consideration; simplicity in maintenance, and automated functions to reduce the need for labor (e.g., integration of robotics, AI, and/or other computerized systems).

Methods and systems for preparing ore for precious metal extraction is provided. For example, a method comprises crushing ore; grinding the crushed ore; screening the ground ore to separate ore particles into a first group of large ore particles and a first group of small ore particles; crushing the first group of large ore particles; screening the crushed ore to separate into a second group of large ore particles and a second group of small ore particles; separating the second group of small ore particles from the screen into a third group of large particles and a third group of small particles; milling the third group of large ore particles; separating milled particles into a fourth group of large particles and a fourth group of small particles; and sending the third and fourth group of small particles for further metal extraction processing.

A method and system of recycling aluminum alloy wheels, the method and system comprising (a) providing a feed of aluminum alloy wheels of a particular alloy; (b) fragmenting the aluminum alloy wheels into a plurality of fragments (c) shot blasting the plurality of fragments to clean non-aluminum contaminants off the plurality of fragments; (d) separating the plurality of fragments from the plurality of shot by moving a mixture of the plurality of fragments and the plurality of shot adjacent a dividing surface; and (e) providing the remaining plurality of fragments for use in manufacturing at least one component made from aluminum alloy.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a plant trimming machine. Plants are placed in a tumbler. As the tumbler rotates, leaves are sucked through the tumbler by a vacuum assembly and cut by at least one rotatable blade adjacent to the tumbler. The tumbler and blade are housed in separate cartridges so that they can be easily removed and inserted. Thereby, it is relatively easy to clean and replace a tumbler or blade with minimal downtime to the machine.

A method and system of recycling aluminum alloy wheels, the method and system comprising (a) providing a feed of aluminum alloy wheels of a particular alloy; (b) fragmenting the aluminum alloy wheels into a plurality of fragments (c) shot blasting the plurality of fragments to clean non-aluminum contaminants off the plurality of fragments; (d) separating the plurality of fragments from the plurality of shot by moving a mixture of the plurality of fragments and the plurality of shot adjacent a dividing surface; and (e) providing the remaining plurality of fragments for use in manufacturing at least one component made from aluminum alloy.

A method of processing magnetite iron ore, including the step of using a high pressure grinding roller (HPGR) to crush the magnetite. An apparatus for processing magnetite iron ore, including a first high pressure grinding roller for crushing the magnetite, a dry screen for selectively feeding back material to the first high pressure grinding roller, an air classifier for selectively feeding back material to the second high pressure grinding roller, a second high pressure grinding roller for grinding the magnetite, and a dry magnetic separation (DMS) unit for discarding non-magnetic materials, wherein the dry magnetic separation unit is outside the two feedback loops associated with the first and second high pressure grinding rollers.

A grinding plant, comprising: a first mill (10), arranged to grind a product having a greater grain size, provided with an inlet (11) and an outlet (12); a second mill (20), arranged to grind the product to a smaller grain size, provided with an inlet (21) and an outlet (22); wherein the product in outlet from the first mill (10) is fed to the second mill (20). The plant further comprises a screen (30), interposed between the two mills (10, 20).

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a plant trimming device having a removable cutting cartridge. A direct-drive motor is magnetically coupled to the cutting cartridge. The cutting cartridge houses a blade and a set of rotating blades. Plant parts are cut by the rotating blades across the razor. The cartridge is mounted on rails and has a handle to facilitate the ease of inserting and removing the cutting cartridge. Thereby, an old cutting cartridge is readily removed and replaced by a new cutting cartridge. Furthermore, the cutting cartridge can easily be removed for cleaning and later re-inserted back into the plant trimming device.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a modular plant trimming system. A number of plant trimming machines are placed side by side. These plant trimming machines trim leaves from a plant. A sensor detects when one or more of the plant trimming machines are added or removed from the system. A processor then balances a load of plants to be trimmed to be split between the currently available number of plant trimming machines.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a tiltable tumbler for use in a plant trimming machine. Plants are placed in a tumbler. As the tumbler rotates, leaves extending through slots in the tumbler by a vacuum are trimmed off. A mechanism is used to adjust the tilt of the tumbler. Thereby, the rate by which the plant material in the tumbler is processed is faster with a higher tilt or slower with a lower tilt. The degree of tilt is adjustable either manually or automatically via a computer.