Find Flex-Hone® Tools at IMTS 2014 (Booth N-7163)

Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) will attend the 2014 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) from September 8 to 13 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. With more than 1 million sq. ft. of exhibit space and over 1900 exhibitors, IMTS 2014 will showcase over 15,000 products and processes. Visitors to this biennial event can tour nine tradeshow pavilions, connect with colleagues, and attend conference sessions such as trends in advanced machining, manufacturing, and materials (TRAM).  

For part manufacturers who need superior surface finishing solutions, the BRM Booth (#N-7163) in the Abrasive Machining, Sawing, and Finishing pavilion is the place to be. Industrial distributors, machine tool specialists, and members of the metal working industry are also encouraged to visit Booth N-7163 to see high-quality brushing technologies.  As a full-line supplier of flexible hones and industrial brushes, BRM will be ready to answer your questions about burr removal and surface improvement.     

Industry-Leading Surface Finishing and Deburring

For inner diameter (ID) surface finishing and deburring, the BRM Flex-Hone® is the industry leader. A low RPM tool that’s suitable for most rotating spindles, this flexible cylinder hone mounts in machinery ranging from drill presses, milling machines, and lathes to CNC equipment and robotic arms. The flexible honing tool’s double-wire stem secures easily in chucks, collets, and similar holding devices. With CNC machinery and machine centers, a Jacobs-style chuck or CAT 40 collet is recommended.

Although some manufacturers, machinists, and metalworkers use Flex-Hone® technology with handheld power tools, automated surface finishing improves part quality, reliability, and consistency. By using existing CNC machinery to automate operations, manufactures can eliminate time-consuming tasks such as manual deburring. BRM Flex-Hone® tools are available for any type or size cylinder, and are used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, firearms, fluid power, hydraulics, marine, and oil and gas.  

How Flexible Honing Works

As BRM’s new Flex-Hone® video explains, flexible honing imparts a plateau finish with a uniform series of oil-retaining grooves for optimum lubrication. This low-pressure, low-temperature, abrading process leaves the base metal undisturbed, but removes burrs that can cause part misalignments and limit the overall efficiency of machined components. BRM’s flexible cylinder hones are also used to blend edges and deburr cross-drilled holes. Use Diamond Flex-Hone® tools with harder materials.

Known also as ball hones, Flex-Hone® tools feature abrasive globules that are permanently laminated to flexible nylon filaments. These cylinder honing tools are manufactured in 10 different abrasive types and 11 grits, and are available in standard sizes from 4 mm to 36”. Self-centering, self-aligning to the bore and self-compensating for wear, flexible cylinder hones require the use of a lubricant (preferably Flex-Hone® oil), but are easy-to-use and do not require complex machine setups or extensive training.

Visit BRM at IMTS 2014 (Booth N-7163)

From September 8 to 13, BRM’s technical specialists will be on-hand to answer your questions at IMTS Booth N-7163 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Bring us your most complex part, and ask how BRM solves surface finishing and deburring challenges. Our technical team can also explain how manufacturers are using Flex-Hone® tools to automate operations with CNC equipment, robotic arms, and machine tools.  

Can’t wait for IMTS 2014, or unable to attend? Download the Flex-Hone® Resource Guide to learn more about BRM’s flexible cylinder honing tools. This free, full-color guide describes product specifications and operating parameters in an informative, easy-to-ready format. The Flex-Hone® In-Machine Setup video is also an excellent resource, especially for automated finishing and deburring.

Take the Ice Bucket Challenge

Finally, be sure to check out BRM’s ALS Ice Bucket Challenge video.  Watch Heather Jones, Director of Marketing, and Don Didier, VP of Operations, as they challenge other members of our industry – and then get wet for a great cause. BRM has also donated to the ALS Association, and hopes that all of our contributions will help find a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).