KENRIE designs, builds, sells and services tools for honing all types and sizes of cylindrical surfaces. Every tool is engineered to give the greatest possible precision and productive life. Honing is controlled by the abrading process. The efficient removal of stock, generation of geometric accuracy, control of diametric size and duplication of a characterized finish, are the result of the way the tool presents the abrasive to the surface, and controls the abrading action. To assure maximum precision and life, every tool is designed for the part on which it is to be used. The Kenrie organization has had many years experience in designing all types of hone tools for use on all types of parts and machines.

Although the design of the tools vary with the size and characteristics of the surface and the machine on which they are to be used, all honing tools have the same functional parts. To understand the operation of any tool, we must first understand the function of these parts.

STONES: The abrasive stones are the cutting surfaces of the tool. The number of stones in the tool, their length and width, are determined by the size and nature of the bore. For small diameter bores only (3) 1/8 inch wide stones may be required, while automotive cylinder bore tools have 12 or more hone stones.  The manner in which the abrasive area is distributed about the periphery of the tool affects the breakdown of the abrasive, the distribution of the pressure on the surface, and the amount of heat generated.

STONEHOLDERS: The stone holders reinforce the stones, distribute the applied pressure equally over the full surface of the stone, and insulate the abrasive from the tool. The stone holders may be either steel, aluminum or plastic. TOOL BODY: The body holds the stones in the proper relationship to each other and the work surface. The diameter and length of the body, the positioning of the stones, the provisions for coolant distribution, the guides, and automatic-sizing mechanisms are all designed for the particular part on which the tool is to be used.

CONE: The cone is the wedge that forces the stones out radially to expand the tool. The angle on the cone may range from 1 degree in small diameter tools to 15 degrees in large tools. The differences between the major and minor diameters of the cone determine the maximum expansion of the tool. In large diameter tools, pins or plates are used between the stone holder and the cone. The cone and stone holders form the rigid rectangles that generate geometrically-accurate cylinders.

CONE ROD: The cone rod is the connection between the cone and the feed system. It may be a simple push-rod or it may be threaded so the cone is moved as the cone rod is rotated.

DRIVESHAFT: The driveshaft connects the body to the driver. There are two general types; those attached rigidly to the body, and the universal float type having universal joints that permit the body to align itself with a rigidly fixtured bore. These are the basic parts of a honing tool. In designing a tool, each part must be engineered to properly perform its function under the conditions found in the bore on which it is to be used. The variety of bores that require the precision generated by honing is unlimited. It is impossible to design a “standard” production tool.

Mike Eding

Project Manager

Kenrie Inc.