Reasons for Honing Hydraulic Cylinders
Hydraulic cylinders are present in various industries in a range of sizes. You will mostly find them in the automotive, construction and the oil industries. Honing is necessary to ensure that any damage to the cylinders is repaired to ensure that it does not affect the overall production process or operations of an organisation. However, this is not the only reason why you should rely on hydraulic cylinder honing. Honing serves additional purposes, and this can help to guarantee an extended lifespan for your machinery. Other benefits of honing include improved lubrication within the barrel, uniformity in the wear and tear process, and a longer seal life. Below are additional reasons why you should hone your cylinders apart from when they are repaired, and it is absolutely necessary.
Honing for Inspection Purposes - Hydraulic cylinders can be honed regularly for inspection purposes. However, the honing in this instance is not extensive like in the case of cylinder repairs. Only a light hone will be required to achieve the desired result. Once this is done, you can carefully assess the surface to check for any imperfections. You should get a professional to carry out this inspection since you can miss minor details. Proper steps can, therefore, be taken to deal with any defect that can lead to more serious problems. In this case, it is recommended that you use a flexible honing tool.
Deglazing - Deglazing involves roughening the cylinder surface to increase friction between the moving components. It also ensures that lubricants can properly grip the cylinder sides. Smooth cylinder walls cause a problem since any oil cannot stick to the smooth surface hence reducing friction which is required. A rigid honing tool such as the Sunnen device is recommended. The final result should be crosshatching tiny grooves on the wall at a 45-degree angle. This is guaranteed to restore the performance of the particular hydraulic cylinder.
When Resealing a Cylinder - It is essential to perform a light honing when a cylinder has been resealed. When this is done properly, it renews the bore finish. Examples of the abrasives that can be used in this process include diamond or stones, depending on the particular size of the cylinder. Additionally, it ensures that you have reduced downtime and can achieve top performance. In case you ignore this step, you will experience a shorter seal life and additional costs in the form of frequent rebuilds.
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