Long-stroke honing machines for industrial production
How a long-stroke honing machine works
The long-stroke honing machine is a specialized machine tool for the fine machining of cylindrical inner surfaces, especially medium to large diameter bores. It is primarily used when high demands are placed on dimensional accuracy, surface quality, and dimensional tolerances.
Long-stroke honing itself is a cutting process in which tiny amounts of material are removed with the aid of grinding stones. In the long-stroke honing machine, the honing tool not only rotates but also moves axially over a comparatively long distance in the workpiece. At the same time, the grinding segments are continuously fed outwards so that the stones always bear against the bore wall with a defined pressure. This uniform contact surface enables extremely precise correction of shape deviations such as ovality or conicity.
The honing spindle that carries the tool is often operated at variable Speed. The superimposed rotary and longitudinal movement creates a so-called cross-hatch pattern on the inner surface of the bore. This pattern promotes the formation of a lubricating film and is particularly sought after in hydraulic and engine technology. Modern long-stroke honing machines feature Control, automatic tool compensation, and adaptive feed control, enabling a highly precise, reproducible machining process.
Design of a long-stroke honing machine
The heart of the machine is the honing spindle, which moves the honing tool rotationally and axially. The machine base ensures stability and low vibration. A feed system regulates the contact pressure of the honing stones. The Control enables precise programming of the machining parameters. In addition, clamping devices for fixing the workpieces are integrated. A cooling lubricant system ensures temperature control and chip removal. Modern machines also feature measuring probes and sensors for process monitoring and tool compensation. Depending on the model, an automatic tool changer may be available.
Applications in industrial manufacturing
Long-stroke honing machines are used wherever the highest demands are placed on the cylindrical precision and surface quality of internal bores. They are particularly common in the automotive industry, aerospace, mechanical engineering, and hydraulic and pneumatic technology. These machines are also used in medical technology and energy technology. Typical workpieces are:
- Cylinder liners for combustion engines
- Hydraulic cylinders
- Pneumatic cylinders
- Injection nozzles
- Rolling bearings
- Compressor housings
- Pipe inner surfaces with high tightness requirements
- Pump housings
- Valve housings
- Spindle bores of machine tools
These workpieces require absolute dimensional accuracy and the finest surface structures – this is exactly where the long-stroke honing machine shows its strengths.
What is the difference between long-stroke honing and short-stroke honing?
The main difference between long-stroke honing and short-stroke honing lies in the length of the axial feed stroke. In long-stroke honing, the honing tool moves over a greater distance along the bore, creating a uniform cross-hatch finish – ideal for long, cylindrical bores with high requirements in terms of shape and surface. In short-stroke honing, the stroke is significantly shorter and concentrates locally on specific areas, for example, for the targeted correction of dimensional or shape deviations. This process is particularly suitable for short bores or high-precision finishing. Both processes often complement each other in industrial practice.
What is the difference between honing and grinding?
Honing and grinding are machining processes for fine finishing, but they differ in terms of technique and application. In grinding, an abrasive wheel rotates and removes material, usually with a high removal rate and little shape correction. It is suitable for external and internal surfaces as well as flat workpieces. Honing, on the other hand, uses several grinding stones that work in bores with low contact pressure, rotating and oscillating. The aim is not so much to remove material as to achieve maximum dimensional accuracy, shape fidelity, and surface quality.
What is a honing tool?
The honing tool is used to shape and smooth the workpiece and achieve the desired surface quality and dimensional accuracy. It typically consists of a cylindrical base body in which several honing strips (grinding stones) are clamped. These strips are made of hard abrasive material such as diamond, CBN (cubic boron nitride) or ceramic materials. During the honing process, the honing tool is guided through the bore in a rotating and axially oscillating manner. At the same time, the honing strips press evenly against the inner wall of the workpiece, removing fine material chips.
There are different types of honing tools, e.g.:
- Two-stone honing tool (for smaller bores)
- Multi-stone honing tool (for larger bores)
- Expandable honing tools (with mechanical or hydraulic expansion mechanism)
- Special honing tools for conical or profiled inner contours
The choice of the right honing tool depends on the workpiece material, bore diameter, length, and required surface finish.
Tools for a long-stroke honing machine
Long-stroke honing machines use special honing tools consisting of a carrier holder and several honing strips. Typical honing tools are:
- Diamond honing stones
- CBN honing strips
- Ceramic honing strips
- Metal-bonded grinding stones
- Hon heads with expanding segments
- Two-stone honing tools
- Multi-stone honing tools
- Combination honing tools
- Tools with automatic retensioning mechanism
- Tool systems for conical bores
The choice of tool depends on the material, bore diameter, and surface requirements.
Accessories and operating materials for a long-stroke honing machine
To operate a long-stroke honing machine, you need a powerful cooling lubricant system including a filter system to cool the honing surface and remove the grinding sludge. Clamping devices for different workpiece geometries are also essential. Measuring probes for inline quality control increase process reliability. Additional accessories include tool presetting devices, replacement honing strips, cleaning stations, and a tool changing system. CNC software licenses and, if necessary, external interfaces for operating data acquisition are required for control.
Leading manufacturers of long-stroke honing machines
Our manufacturers directory includes companies that produce long-stroke honing machines for metalworking.
The following terms are frequently searched for: AZ Spa honing machine, Degen honing machine, DVS Technologie honing machine, Felsomat honing machine, FLP Microfinishing honing machine, Gehring honing machine, Gleason honing machine, Kadia honing machine, Lapmaster honing machine, MAG IAS honing machine, MAW honing machine, Microcut honing machine, Missimi Berney honing machine, Nagel honing machine, Präwema honing machine, Rettificatrici Robbi honing machine, Sunnen honing machine, Zaozhuang Long Yue Machine Tools honing machine
Selecting the right long-stroke honing machine
If you want to buy a long-stroke honing machine, there are several important features and specifications to consider.
- First, the maximum bore length and the machinable diameter range are crucial, as are the number and type of honing stones.
- A control with flexible programmability is essential for modern manufacturing processes.
- Spindle power is also important, as it influences the machining speed.
- Repeatability and process stability are of central importance for series production.
- The feed system is equally relevant, especially whether automatic tool compensation is possible.
- Integrated measurement technology saves time and ensures quality.
- The cooling lubrication system should be powerful and energy-efficient.
- Finally, the ergonomics of the user interface also play a role—intuitive user guidance facilitates training and operation.
- When investing, you should also pay attention to service availability, spare parts supply, and the expandability of the machine.
Search now at maschinenauswahl.de for the long-stroke honing machine that suits your production requirements.
Information on long-stroke honing and long-stroke honing machines
This article answers the following questions, among others, and helps with the search terms mentioned:
- What is long-stroke honing?
- Advantages of long-stroke honing
- What is the difference between honing and grinding?
- Long-stroke honing tools
- Long-stroke honing vs. short-stroke honing