Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method using an elastic biasing element in combination with an encoder arrangement for precise control of force or torque applied to a moving object, is applied for controlling a feed force applied to an abrasive element of a bore finishing tool, to respond to changes in the feed force such as can arise from contact with a workpiece bore surface and variations therein, such as tapers, hourglass shapes, barrel shapes, and the like. The elastic biasing element can include a single or multiple springs in one or more sets, and the feed force can be selected to have a constant value or vary as a function of time, position, or other variables or conditions.

Abstract: An automated bore finishing process particularly adapted for lapping automatically corrects one or more bore parameters, such as diameter, geometry, surface finish, in an iterative manner to reach a final value, controlled by algorithms that process feedback from a measurement process. The process determines bore parameter information and determines an optimum set of values for the process parameters, such as stroke position, stroke length and duration of the next lapping iteration. This optimization is targeted to achieve the desired final bore parameter or parameters within the specified bore size limits, and may be used to alter the stroke profile either for the entire next iteration or in a continuously changing manner, to minimize or eliminate bore defects over one or a succession of iterations.

Abstract: A bore finishing tool has an arbor with a tapered outer circumferential surface and a sleeve over the arbor having a tapered inner circumferential surface cooperatively disposed in surface to surface overlaying relation to at least a substantial portion of the tapered outer circumferential surface of the arbor. The sleeve is adjustably movable relative to the arbor for expanding a diametrical extent of the sleeve and has a plurality of internal material relief features at circumferentially spaced locations in the tapered inner circumferential surface extending partially through the sleeve so as to reduce a level of force required for expanding the diametrical extent of the sleeve. Exemplary material relief features include flutes and fractures. The sleeve can also include an external retraction feature enabling application of a retraction force by an external device for reducing the diametrical extent.

Abstract: A honing tool holder that provides a capability for automatically feeding the honing elements or stones when in the bore of a work piece, and for automatically stopping the feeding when a particular condition such as a bore size, is reached, so as to enable use of an in-process adjustable feed honing tool in a machine tool, machining center, or the like, lacking a feed mechanism or system. The holder can also include apparatus to automatically prevent feed past a limit. Both the feed force and feed limit can be adjustable, including by simple movements of the tool holder by the machine tool.

Abstract: A honing tool holder utilizes pressure of a through-the-spindle coolant delivery system for automatically feeding the honing elements or stones of an attached honing tool when in the bore of a work piece, and for automatically stopping the feeding when a particular condition such as a bore size, is reached, so as to enable use of an in-process adjustable feed honing tool in a machine tool, machining center, or the like, lacking a feed mechanism or system but including a coolant delivery system. The holder can also include apparatus to automatically prevent feed past a limit. Both the feed force and feed limit can be adjustable, at least the latter by simple movements of the tool holder by the machine tool.

Abstract: A bore finishing tool has an arbor with a tapered outer circumferential surface and a sleeve over the arbor having a tapered inner circumferential surface cooperatively disposed in surface to surface overlaying relation to at least a substantial portion of the tapered outer circumferential surface of the arbor. The sleeve is adjustably movable relative to the arbor for expanding a diametrical extent of the sleeve and has a plurality of internal material relief features at circumferentially spaced locations in the tapered inner circumferential surface extending partially through the sleeve so as to reduce a level of force required for expanding the diametrical extent of the sleeve. Exemplary material relief features include flutes and fractures. The sleeve can also include an external retraction feature enabling application of a retraction force by an external device for reducing the diametrical extent.

Abstract: A machine controller includes a memory and a processor configured for operating a machine control for automatically controlling apparatus for performing a machining process on a workpiece at least partially as a function of data relating to a parameter of the workpiece, and a gage control for automatically controlling gaging apparatus for collecting and processing the data relating to the parameter of the workpiece and storing the data in the memory. At least a portion of the memory in which the data relating to the parameter of the workpiece is stored, is configured as a shared memory so as to allow the machine control to immediately retrieve and use the stored data relating to the parameter of the workpiece. The controller has particular utility for use in controlling a honing process and a gaging process, which can be in-process or post-process, and which can be used for bore sizing and other parameters.

Abstract: A honing tool holder utilizes pressure of a through-the-spindle coolant delivery system for automatically feeding the honing elements or stones of an attached honing tool when in the bore of a work piece, and for automatically stopping the feeding when a particular condition such as a bore size, is reached, so as to enable use of an in-process adjustable feed honing tool in a machine tool, machining center, or the like, lacking a feed mechanism or system but including a coolant delivery system. The holder can also include apparatus to automatically prevent feed past a limit. Both the feed force and feed limit can be adjustable, at least the latter by simple movements of the tool holder by the machine tool.

Abstract: A honing tool holder that provides a capability for automatically feeding the honing elements or stones when in the bore of a work piece, and for automatically stopping the feeding when a particular condition such as a bore size, is reached, so as to enable use of an in-process adjustable feed honing tool in a machine tool, machining center, or the like, lacking a feed mechanism or system. The holder can also include apparatus to automatically prevent feed past a limit. Both the feed force and feed limit can be adjustable, including by simple movements of the tool holder by the machine tool.

Abstract: A servo stroking method and system for honing wherein the cam stroking motion is controlled via combined acceleration and deceleration cam profiles to produce a finite jerk profile, a precision positioning capability for the honing element or elements, and accurate position feedback. The stroking motion is synchronized with one or more other parameters of the honing operation, such as the feed or rotational position of the honing tool, for generating non-cylindrical and special honed shapes such as tapered, barrel, and helical shapes. The cam profile can be selected for example from a simple harmonic profile, a cycloidal profile, a modified trapezoidal profile, a polynomial profile, and a modified sine profile, or a mix of cam profiles. The servo controlled stroker mechanism can include for instance a ball screw mechanism, a linear motor, a fluid cylinder, a chain drive or a belt drive.

Abstract: The honing feed system and method utilizes feedback from various sources during rapid feeding of the honing tool while rotating and stroking, to detect initial contact with a bore surface, to slow the feed to a normal honing rate, involving conditioning the feedback signals to eliminate noise factors such as the stroking movement and forces generated to rotate and feed the tool unopposed.

Abstract: The method of the invention provides a capability for accurately and uniformly determining the sizes of bores of workpieces, both pre- and post-process, to improve process control, particularly compensation for tool or stone wear and other factors, and process data collection. The present method makes all required bore measurements, including those in both the workpiece bore and the calibration ring or sample workpiece bore, with the honing tool, under controlled static, non-honing conditions, including expanding the tool in the bores in a predetermined manner, such as at a predetermined rate. The method of the invention has utility for honing multiple workpieces to a finished size with a single tool, and also for multiple spindle applications.

Abstract: A honing tool for honing holes in workpieces, having an abrasive portion including a first abrasive layer therearound of abrasive particles of a first size, including a region having a second abrasive layer of abrasive layers of a second size sufficiently smaller than the first size, so as to be disposed in interstices between abrasive particles of the first abrasive layer without altering the diametrical size of the first layer, and so as to provide enhanced wear resistance.

Abstract: A servo stroking apparatus and system (10) for honing wherein the cam stroking motion follows a cam profile which produces a finite jerk profile for reducing machine vibration and optimizing one or more honing parameters. The cam profile can be selected for example from a simple harmonic cam profile, a cycloidal profile, a modified trapezoidal profile, apolynomial profile, and a modified sine profile, or a mix of cam profiles. The servo controlled stroker mechanism can include for instance a ball screw mechanism (36), a linearmotor (40), a fluid cylinder, a chain drive or a belt drive. One or more other servo controlled aspects of the honing operation can be synchronized with the servo controlled stroking operation, such as the, rotation of the honing tool.

Abstract: The feed system for a honing machine provides a capability to dynamically correct in real time errors in bore size inferred arising from variations in feed force, and a method of operation of the same. The system allows a user to select between rate and force controlled honing modes, which provides one or more of the advantages of both modes. The system provides capabilities for automatic rapid automatic bore wall detection, compensation for elasticity of elements of the feed system and honing tool, and automatic tool protection. The system is automatically operable using feed force, feed rate and positional information for honing a work piece to one or more target parameters, such as one or more in-process sizes and a final size.

Abstract: The feed system (30) for a honing machine (10) provides a capability to dynamically correct in real time errors in bore size inferred arising from variations in feed force, and a method of operation of the same. The system (10) allows a user to select between rate and force controlled honing modes, which provides one or more of the advantages of both modes. The system provides capabilities for automatic rapid automatic bore wall detection, compensation for elasticity of elements of the feed system (30) and honing tool (14), and automatic tool protection. The system is automatically operable using feed force, feed rate and positional information for honing a work piece (20) to one or more target parameters, such as one or more in-process sizes and a final size.

Abstract: The feed system (30) for a honing machine (10) provides a capability to dynamically correct in real time errors in bore size inferred arising from variations in feed force, and a method of operation of the same. The system (10) allows a user to select between rate and force controlled honing modes, which provides one or more of the advantages of both modes. The system provides capabilities for automatic rapid automatic bore wall detection, compensation for elasticity of elements of the feed system (30) and honing tool (14), and automatic tool protection. The system is automatically operable using feed force, feed rate and positional information for honing a work piece (20) to one or more target parameters, such as one or more in-process sizes and a final size.

Abstract: A device for honing blind bores in parts, a blind bore including a cylindrical bore open at one end and closed adjacent to the opposite end including a honing mandrel for mounting on a honing machine that produces rotation thereof, the mandrel having a cylindrical honing portion adjacent one end which portion and the adjacent portion of the mandrel have spaced axially extending slot therethrough to enable the honing portion of the mandrel to expand and contract in size, the honing portion having a portion adjacent to the end thereof which is somewhat larger than the rest of the honing portion when the honing portion is expanded for honing in the blind hole, the end portions of the mandrel between the spaced slots being elastically expandable from a retracted position which is less than the diameter of the surface to be honed to enable insertion therein to a more expanded condition wherein the diameter of the honing portion at the largest point is the diameter at which the mandrel will hone the blind hole.

Abstract: A device for honing blind bores in parts, a blind bore including a cylindrical bore open at one end and closed adjacent to the opposite end including a honing mandrel for mounting on a honing machine that produces rotation thereof, the mandrel having a cylindrical honing portion adjacent one end which portion and the adjacent portion of the mandrel have spaced axially extending slot therethrough to enable the honing portion of the mandrel to expand and contract in size, the honing portion having a portion adjacent to the end thereof which is somewhat larger than the rest of the honing portion when the honing portion is expanded for honing in the blind hole, the end portions of the mandrel between the spaced slots being elastically expandable from a retracted position which is less than the diameter of the surface to be honed to enable insertion therein to a more expanded condition wherein the diameter of the honing portion at the largest point is the diameter at which the mandrel will hone the blind hole.

Abstract: A honing member for use in honing the external cylindrical surface of a workpiece comprising an elongated annular member having a passageway extending the entire length therethrough, the inner annular surface of such passageway having abrasive particles attached directly thereto or formed integrally therewith, the inner annular surface being substantially cylindrical in shape and having at least one tapered portion adjacent one end portion of the honing member, and a slot formed through one side portion of the annular member extending the full length thereof to facilitate expansion and contraction thereof to radially adjust the diameter of the inner surface of the annular member.