This section provides an overview for honing services as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 19 honing service companies and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked honing service companies as of November, 2024: 1.Midwest Precision Manufacturing, 2.Engis Corporation, 3.Ohio Tool Works.
Table of Contents
Honing is a process in which a grinding wheel is pressed against and rotated on the internal surface of a cylindrical part, with a significant amount of cutting oil applied. This method is similar to internal grinding, which also utilizes a grinding wheel to finish the internal surface of a workpiece.
However, honing allows for a larger contact area between the grinding wheel and the workpiece's internal surface, achieving higher precision in terms of cylindricity, roundness, and surface roughness. As a result, honing is especially suitable for machining parts requiring high precision, such as automobile engine cylinders.
The inner surface of a honed workpiece features a fine mesh of stripes known as a "crosshatch." These crosshatches function as lubrication grooves in engine cylinders, forming oil pools that reduce piston wear and resistance, thereby preventing seizure. Consequently, honing is frequently employed for parts involved in piston movement and is also used in machining gear tooth surfaces. The application of honing extends beyond the automotive industry, encompassing agricultural machinery parts, medical instrument parts, and various other fields.
Honing efficiently finishes the inside of holes. A magnet attached to the honing head secures it against the interior of the workpiece, and the surface is finished with a reciprocating, rotating motion. Honing achieves greater precision in drilling holes than internal polishing, maintaining the hole's location while polishing, in contrast to internal polishing, which may shift depending on the centering method.
Honing is performed using honing machines, which vary widely in shape, angle, orientation, and machining method. Besides general honing machines, there are three types of specialized honing machines: CNC multi-axis honing machines, parallel plane honing grinding machines, and liquid honing machines. These machines can hone internal surfaces as well as flat surfaces, external surfaces, and gears.
Uses radially mounted grinding wheels, called "horns," rotating and moving reciprocally up and down along the axial direction to finish internal surfaces.
Controls the position and speed via computer numerical control (CNC). Unlike in general honing processes where grinding wheels must be replaced at each stage from rough to final finishing, the CNC multi-axis honing machine automates the entire process.
Enables specialized processing of flat surfaces. Two disk-shaped grinding wheels rotate back and forth for machining, allowing simultaneous processing of different shapes and multiple parts to the same height.
Mixes abrasive grains with water to spray for processing. Suitable for matting, deburring, rust removal, and preparing painted surfaces for finishing. It can also handle complex shapes.
Honing is a high-precision method for finishing internal surfaces, utilizing a slow grinding process without significant pressure, making it suitable for heat-sensitive materials. The resulting cross-hatch pattern, achieved by controlling the grinding wheel's rotation and vertical motion, can vary the cross-hatch angle from 20 to 60 degrees. However, honing cannot adjust to different hole diameters; the mandrel size is determined by the workpiece's inner diameter. Pre-processing accuracy significantly impacts honing outcomes; if pre-processing is imprecise, internal grinding may be preferable, as honing cannot correct such inaccuracies.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Carlson Tool & Manufacturing Corp. was established in 1958 in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, USA, as a manufacturer of precision engineering solutions and services. The company provides engineering, tooling, drilling, and machining services, including tool design, manufacturing, EDM, CNC machining, various turning and milling processes, deep hole drilling, honing, and fabrication of tools using metals and plastics. These services find applications in customized part creation, intricate designs, bore finishes, and optimizing assembly processes. The fabrication of tools supports diverse production needs, encompassing plastic molds and cast metal tooling. The company serves the automotive, agriculture, defense, medical, transportation, mining, and aerospace industries.
Ohio Tool Works (OTW) is an American manufacturer based in Ashland, Ohio, specializing in vertical and horizontal honing machines, as well as related tooling, abrasives, and supplies. Since its establishment in 2004, OTW serves various industrial sectors, including oil and gas, aerospace, automotive, medical device, and metalworking industries. OTW offers its services to honing companies, regardless of the machine brands used. These services include initial machine assessment, installation, maintenance, repair recommendations, custom solutions, and worker training. Additionally, OTW's Inventory on Demand program enables honing companies to reduce inventory costs while ensuring access to necessary tooling and abrasives.
Midwest Precision Manufacturing, Inc. (MPM) is a contract manufacturer specializing in tight tolerance drilling services, such as gun drilling and deep hole boring. Founded in 2006 and based in Fredonia, Wisconsin, the company serves clients in a range of industries, including oil and gas, plastics, and heavy machinery. The company also offers a wide range of secondary services, such as fabrication and assembly, CNC machining, and waterjet cutting. MPM has manufactured products for various applications, including steel fracking blocks, hydraulic speed risers for the energy sector, aluminum vacuum drums, and cooling rolls for the paper industry.
Betar Inc. was established in 1968 in New Jersey as a supplier of general machining services. The company provides deep hole drilling used for gun barrels, hydraulic cylinders, mold cooling channels, and gun drilling with applications like oil and gas exploration, medical implants, etc. It also offers honing, turning, and milling of bearings, gears, and pistons with various equipment building and repairs along with surface grinding to facilitate aerospace, medical device manufacturing, packaging and converting, water treatment, and transport, to name a few industries.
Grand Valley Manufacturing Co., founded in 1953 and located in Grand Valley, PA, is an ISO 9001:2000 certified supplier of metal machining services and solutions. The company offers large machining services including but not limited to deep hole boring, CNC turning, drilling, honing, and milling services. The company is a major contractor for various projects globally and produces space and aerospace components for the US Air Force. It also caters to industries such as mining, construction, oil and gas, and power generation.
Engis Corporation was founded in 1938, with its main offices in the US and UK, as a supplier of industrial machinery and precision measuring tools for industries such as automotive, aerospace, oil & gas, medical devices, and defence, among others. The company's broad line of products include superabrasive products such as diamond powder, honing, lapping, grinding, and polishing products. The company expanded its operations into the abrasives market in 1940 with the introduction of its diamond compound for navigation systems. Since then, Engis has set up subsidiary companies in Canada, Singapore, Japan, and China, supported by a global network of distributors.
delapena Group Ltd, founded in 1927 by Leslie delapena, is a designer and manufacturer of honing, abrasives, and toolings headquartered in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK. It offers vertical and horizontal, honing mandrels, and icon-based honing machines used in the automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, and other manufacturing sectors The company also has a service department offering honing consultancy, complete tooling refurbishment, and process engineering services. It also has a tooling refurbishment facility which offers tool refurbishment to all major honing manufacturers including Jones & Shipman, Ohio Tool Works, Gehring, Animex, and Kadia.
Gehring Technologies GmbH is a manufacturer of fine machine technologies for conventional and electrified drive trains as well as precision honing, laser, and surface processing technologies. Headquartered in Ostfildern, Germany, the company was established in 1926. Gehring Technologies specializes in delivering cutting-edge solutions for precision manufacturing, including honing systems, laser solutions, and surface coatings. These technologies find applications across industries such as automotive, aerospace, and energy. The company's comprehensive services encompass process wage honing, aligning, engineering and digital solutions, optimization, and technical consulting.
Crosshatch Honing Services Ltd, works as manufacturer established in 2000, The company is a business specializing in precision honing. Based in Coventry, West Midlands, this company has a track record of providing precision honing services. The company serves a diverse range of clients, contributing to the manufacturing of quality components with a bond to excellence, . The company's skilled personnel are trained and bond to maintaining precision in the company's honing processes. The company plays a crucial role in the production of finely honed components for various industries operating from Unit 22 Lythalls Lane Industrial Estate, Lythalls Lane, Coventry.
Findtheneedle, Founded in June 2004 by Alpha Publishing, emerged as a manufacturer in specialized product card packs for diverse industries. The company swiftly transitioned to an online platform, bringing its extensive database of industry contacts to the web. The company has evolved into one of the UK's largest and frequented business-to-business directories, amassing over 125,000 subscribers since its inception. The company's features have influenced online trade directories globally, and its 2023 iteration introduces enhanced functionalities, all without additional charges to fairness, the platform randomizes search results, providing equal opportunities for companies of all sizes and budgets.
Rath Gibson PCC Energy Group (RGPE) is a manufacturer of precision-welded tubing and piping solutions based in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1952, the company is a subsidiary of Precision Castparts Corp. and handles proprietary forming, welding, and finishing process operations out of its facilities in Wisconsin and Arkansas. The company's product lineup includes welded as well as welded-and-drawn tubes, seamless tubes, and various coils fabricated to lengths depending on alloy type in use. These supply clients in the renewable energy, petrochemical, power generation, and recreational beverage industries.
Cobore, Inc., founded in 2005 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a manufacturer that specializes in precision deep-hole drilling and machining services. The company serves a diverse clientele across industries, including the oil and gas, military, aerospace, and petrochemical sectors. Its expertise spans the machining of various materials, such as Inconel, Hastelloy, copper, stainless steel, titanium, and more. The company's capabilities include services ranging from drilling, boring, and honing to straightening, trepanning, turning, and sawing. It excels in deep-hole drilling techniques like BTA and gun drilling, with additional offerings including burnishing, centerless grinding, and inventory management solutions.
Hone-All Precision Limited, established in 1994 and based in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, UK, is a manufacturer and supplier of precision machined components. The company's product range includes deep hole boring, deep hole drilling, CNC gun drilling, CNC turning, and CNC honing. These products are used in various manufacturing processes to produce components of utmost precision. It primarily serves industries such as oil & gas, aerospace/defense, hydraulics, and packaging & printing. The company also specializes in precision rollers, tube manufacturing, extruder barrels, and environmental training & development.
Perfect Bore Manufacturing Ltd is a manufacturer and supplier is a distinguished entity in precision engineering, Founded in 1988 operating from Hampshire, United Kingdom. The company has established itself as a manufacturer specializing in deep hole boring solutions. The company is known for its liability to quality and adherence to international standards. The company delivers precision-engineered components to a global clientele with a strong ocupancy in the industry. This company continually introduces new capabilities, making it a partner in precision engineering solutions.
Mb Honing Services, Founded around year 2003, operates as a manufacturer and distributor perating in Hertfordshire, in United Kingdom. This company specializes in honing services, offering precision machining solutions. The company cater to various industries, including automotive and manufacturing with an emphasis on quality. The company content itself on its application to delivering finely honed components. The compay is known for it's task to precision and efficient processes. The company continues to play a vital role in providing honing services, contributing to the production of quality components for the company's clients.
CT Hone, Inc., established in 1971 and based in Plainville, Connecticut, USA, is an AS 9003:2012 certified manufacturer and supplier of I.D. honing equipment. The company's product range includes Plunger & Sleeve Set, Steel Sleeve, Bracket, Steel Pitchlink, and Titanium Link Assembly. These products are used in various applications such as honing and grinding. These products primarily serve industries such as Aerospace, Automotive, Commercial, and Marine. The company's services include precision I.D. honing, grinding, inspection, and rush jobs.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Midwest Precision Manufacturing |
22.6%
|
2 | Engis Corporation |
12.3%
|
3 | Ohio Tool Works |
9.4%
|
4 | Grand Valley Manufacturing Co. |
8.5%
|
5 | CT Hone, Inc. |
6.6%
|
6 | Betar, Inc. |
6.6%
|
7 | Gehring Technologies GmbH |
5.7%
|
8 | Carlson Tool & Manufacturing Corp. |
5.7%
|
9 | Rath Gibson PCC Energy Group |
4.7%
|
10 | Cobore, Inc. |
4.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the honing service page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 8 | 53.3% |
United States of America | 6 | 40.0% |
Germany | 1 | 6.7% |