Patent ID: 6780084
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A method for honing a cylindrical blind bore that is open at one end and closed adjacent to the opposite end comprising providing a tubular honing mandrel having a first end portion with a substantially cylindrical outer abrasive surface over the length thereof, said first end portion having a substantially conical inner surface, at least one axially extending slot extending through the first end portion and through part of the adjacent portion of the tubular mandrel, an expander member positioned extending through the honing mandrel and having a conically tapered end portion for movement into surface-to-surface contact with the substantially conical inner surface of the mandrel, the method including the steps of:programming a computer operated honing machine including the tubular mandrel to control timing of expansion and retraction of the tubular mandrel, and a speed of rotation of the tubular honing mandrel, said programming including establishing a location of the mandrel when inserted into a blind bore to be honed and controlling a rate of movement of the honing mandrel when expanded and being drawn through and from the cylindrical bore, moving the expander member in the honing mandrel axially in a direction to retract the honing diameter so that the mandrel can be inserted into and through the cylindrical bore, advancing the expander member axially in the honing mandrel to force the conical end portion thereof against the conical inner surface of the honing mandrel to cause the honing diameter of the abrasive surface to expand outwardly to bear against the surface of the bore, and withdrawing the expanded honing mandrel from the bore while rotating the honing mandrel to hone the surface of the bore.