What's New in Honing

IMTS was quite a show this year. I hope that each of our readers had a chance to get at least a small taste of the recent developments that were on display for the machine tool industry. One of my first stops at the show was at the Sunnen booth, where I expected to learn about advances in honing, or precision bore machining. I was not disappointed as I was introduced to multi-feed honing, a new technology that gives users a choice of tool-feed modes to help them achieve shorter cycle times, lower part cost and longer abrasive life.

Multi-feed combines Sunnen's controlled-force tool feed with its controlled-rate feed system. The two different tool-feed modes allow the user to select the better option to suit the workpiece geometry, material and tool type and size. This feature is available as an option on new machines in the company’s SV-1000 and SV-500 series, as well as a retrofit for existing machines in these series.

Controlled-force honing, one of the features in multi-feed, works like cruise control to ensure the optimum cutting load on the honing abrasive throughout a cycle, regardless of the incoming part's hardness, geometry or size variation. Depending on the application, controlled-force honing can cut cycle times by as much as 50 percent, lengthen abrasive life for lower consumable cost, and allow finer control of surface finish parameters. Controlled-force technology eliminates glazing of the abrasive because of too little force, and maintains a steady, free-cutting, self-dressing condition for maximum metal removal in the shortest possible cycle time.

The technology is especially suited for applications using segmented diamond or superabrasive honing tools or involving workpieces with slight variations in hole diameters, hardness and geometry. It maintains optimum feed force on the honing abrasive and keeps the entire process in balance.

Learn more about Sunnen’s multi-feed option at the company’s website. Also see the Editor’s Picks at the right for other articles about honing.