Automated System Delivers CNC Honing Control

Sunnen's SV-410 automated CNC honing system is designed to help performance builders and production rebuilders achieve precise cylinder geometry, surface finish and crosshatch parameters, for increased ring seal, uniform lubrication, decreased leak down and high horsepower. Suitable for high-nickel and CGI blocks, the honing system enables engine builders to deliver customized results quickly and efficiently, the company says.

The system combines automated operation with a 7.5-kW (10-hp) spindle to drive high-accuracy CBN and diamond tooling. Using two-stage, metal-bond diamond tooling, the honing system virtually eliminates tool changes and provides a plateaued finish on the bore surface. The system indexes the tool from bore to bore, and (for V-blocks) the servo fixture rolls the block for access to all cylinders, ending with a rollover of the block to dump oil/coolant. The servo fixture adapts to virtually any angle V-block via the setup screen without manual adjustments. A work envelope of 915 × 1,015 mm (36" × 40") and weight capacity ranging to 680 kg (1,500 lbs) combine with front loading to process a range of in-line and V-blocks. According to the company, a 500-lb V-block can be rotated in 1 sec., bank to bank.

An optional tool-guide assembly and variety of bore-diameter gaging systems combine with a servo-controlled X-axis travel of 1,143 mm (45") to enable high-precision honing of multi-bore blocks. A straightness-sensing feature provides a display of the bore profile during the cycle. Combined with a servo stroking system, the straightness-sensing feature enables the honing system to auto-dwell in any part of the bore to correct straightness automatically in a short cycle time.

Crosshatch is controlled and set via the control screen for every ring application. The system is capable of honing blocks with bore diameters from 19 to 200 mm (0.75" to 8"), depending on the tool options selected.