Honing is a unique abrasive machining process utilising hard tooling and perishable abrasives such as stones or diamonds. The stones are rotated with a lubricant under controlled pressure to produce a cross-hatch pattern on the surface of the cylinder. It is a simple process and a smaller part of the total process of a hydraulic cylinder repair or rebuild.
A finishing operation, primarily for the internal cylindrical surfaces of parts, that uses a fine-grain abrasive tool in the form of rods, or sticks, mounted on a honing head, or hone. The abrasive rods are pressed against the surface being machined, and the honing head, which is attached to the spindle of a honing machine, performs rotational and reciprocating motions. Honing is one of the last operations performed on a part; it follows boring, broaching, reaming, or grinding.
Advantages of cylinder barrel honing:
- Improved lubrication
- Uniform wear
- Longer seal life
- Correct minor surface irregularities
- Correct geometrical issues
Honing can also be considered an inspection tool due to its ability to highlight surface imperfections after a light hone using a rigid tool. These surface defects may indicate a more severe condition which can be appropriately managed.