Types of Honing Machines

Vertical honing machines have a high level of circularity and are suited for use in mass production lines. Horizontal machines are good choices for processing long workpieces and for set-up changes for high-mix production. Hydraulic machines demonstrate their true value in worksites that work with hard materials and which require heavy cutting power.

CNC machines are highly versatile, and can handle a broad range of work, from mass production to high-mix, low-volume production. High-precision honing machines are specialized for industries with exacting requirements, such as the aviation and medical industries.

However, this chart is only intended to serve as a guide. Please also take into consideration the shapes of the workpieces you will be processing and the processing conditions that will apply.

Selecting Honing Machines by Priority

Honing machines are broadly categorized in three ways: "by their control method, by their format, and by their special features and capabilities." When considering what kind of honing machine to select, choose the selection approach that best fits your company.

Choose by control Method for System Compatibility

If you need to match the honing machine you install based on your existing production line structure, the electrical system in your plant, or the skills of your operators, the fastest way to narrow down the choices is by machine control method.

CNC honing machines

CNC honing machines use a computer to automatically manage honing stone rotation, reciprocal movement, and expansion. Processing parameters are stored in programs, so they are less reliant on the skills of individual operators and can produce consistent results with the same level of precision. They are a good fit for sites interested in mass production, automation, or work standardization. Please see the article below for examples of specific machines.

Hydraulic honing machines

Hydraulic honing machines are machines with simple structures which use the pressure generated by a hydraulic pump to press the honing stone against the workpiece. They are easy to use in Indian worksites, which have frequent voltage drops and high levels of dust. They are also tough machines which are easy to repair when a problem occurs. These machines are a good fit for workplaces with harsh environments which require heavy cutting power. Please see the article below if you're considering replacing an aging hydraulic honing machine.

Choose by Machine Format for Size and Space Constraints.

If the weight or length of the components you process, the floor space of your plant, or the method used to bring in the equipment are key factors, narrow down your honing machine selection by machine format.

Vertical honing machines

Vertical honing machines are standard machines whose spindles are oriented vertically. Because workpieces are mounted vertically, they are not highly affected by gravitational effects, which makes it easy to achieve a high level of circularity even for large components. They also take little floor space, and can be easily deployed in automated transport lines when combined with a gantry loader. They are a good fit for companies that need to maintain a certain level of precision for their large components or that want to perform mass production despite having limited space. Please see the following page for specific specifications and examples of these machines.

Horizontal honing machines

Horizontal honing machines have spindles that are oriented horizontally. They are relatively unaffected by factory ceiling height limitations, so they can be used to process long tubes or pipes measuring several meters. The spindles are located at operator eye-level, so workpiece mounting, workpiece unmounting, and honing stone replacement can all be performed efficiently. They are a good fit for worksites that process long workpieces or which perform frequent set-up changes as part of high-mix production. Please see the following page for details.

Choose by Capabilities for Strict Quality

For worksites with strict quality standards (Cpk), such as European and North American OEMs, ordinary honing machines often don't provide the required level of precision. It's important to pick a machine that can provide the levels of precision your company requires.

High-precision honing machines

High-precision honing machines are designed to produce a high level of circularity and cylindricality. They control thermal displacement and honing stone expansion more closely than ordinary CNC honing machines. These machines are a good fit for factories that work with aerospace, medical, or high-end automobile components, where even small levels of error are unacceptable.

Match the Machine to Your Specific Work

There are various approaches that can be used to select honing machines: control method, format, and special features/capabilities. Simple, across-the-board comparisons are not possible. Don't just look at the type of machine, but also whether it has the features and capabilities that match your own company's business, such as precision component supply work, large component processing or heavy industry, component repairs, processing-on-consignment, or the like.

We have carefully selected the honing machines that are best suited to companies based on the features and challenges of their varied businesses, freeing them from needing to rely on specific operators. Please use the information on this site in your comparisons and deliberations.