Recently Bates Technologies LLC installed its “most diverse mix” of CNC hone tooling and air gauging systems yet for a flexible horizontal machining (HMC) operation. Bates manufactures and supports hone tooling and abrasive products used in bore finishing and honing applications, and indicates that its products can be used with any make or model of hone machines — and on many flexible CNC machining centers.
The recent application originated with an inquiry from a global manufacturer of compressor system that requested Bates to develop a complete rough and finish honing process designed to run on a common fixture and setup arrangement it uses to machine other part details on the compressor bodies that they produce. In addition, the OEM wanted to eliminate extensive part handling and to make improvements on overall part quality.To meet these objectives, Bates engineered and built multiple precision honing tools ranging in diameter from 2.500 to 6.000 cm, designed to fit in CAT 50 holders and to function within the control platform of a horizontal machining center. The majority of these tools use the Bates Precision Air Gage System (PAGS), which allows live, on-board air gauging of the cylinder bores as they are honed.
Bates president Darrell Day explained: “This project began as a what-if discussion between the OEM and our sales/product development team during a SME Honing Clinic.
“With our direction and the assistance of a major machine tool manufacturer the concept was put to paper and agreed upon,” Day continued. “Shortly afterwards two new HMCs were purchased and built to accommodate the Bates honing and air gauging system to meet the OEM’s requirements for ‘one fixture, one setup’ part processing. This led to dramatic reductions in machining and transfer time and improvements in both part quality and process capabilities.”
