Tech Talk
What is "Tube Honing"?
Typically most tube honing applications are processed using horizontal honing machinery. Machines with stroke capacities of 12 feet (3.7 M) to 50 feet (15 M) are available from the leading manufacturers. This allows for both honing of long length parts or honing longer tubes which are later cut into shrter sections. Generally, heavy duty tube honing equipment features rigid, welded steel construction with spindle drives having a power ratio of 1.5 hp per diametric inch (light duty machines have horse power requirements which are reduced by fifty (50) percent of this ratio). Stone expansion is typically made with hydraulic pressure or electro-mechanical means. Other features such as automatic size control, infinitely variable spindle speed, electronic stroke control, coolant filtration and refrigeration are offered to provide for more efficient honing. These and other features are requirments for use with today's high production abrasive products. Vertical tube honing machines are popular for processing shorter or unusually shaped work pieces. Generally work pieces with lengths of 48" (1219 mm) or less can be processed with vertical equipment. Longer parts become awkward to handle and present a problem in some plants with lower ceiling heights. The obvious benefit of vertical honing equipment is that they take up only a fraction of the floor space compared to their horizontal counterparts. The same features listed above apply to vertical honing equipment as well.
