Honing is final finishing process conducted on a surface, usually on the inside of a cylinder (bore). It employs the use of abrasive stones to eliminate small amounts of material in order to tighten the forbearance on cylindricity. It is basically a surface finish procedure, not a gross geometry- modifying operation. The process includes honing holders to apply slight, uniform pressure with the help of a number of abrasive sticks (honing sticks), that glide over the entire surface to be honed thereby removing the material from the surface. It is the concluding procedure used in the machining cylinder bores, either during manufacture or in re-boring. This process is also carried out on compressors, hydraulic components, and many other applications.
It is used for the following purpose in cylinders:
- To remove the final amount of metal in order to get a cylinder of the required size
- To impart a good lifespan by putting a surface on the cylinder
- Aid lubrication
- Oil consumption characteristics in use