Bore Finishing Machine “Laps” The Field in Productivity on Aerospace Parts

The SVL-2115 automated lapping machine from Sunnen Products Company (St. Louis, MO) brings increased productivity and part consistency to what is traditionally a manual process. It provides single setup processing of hydraulic valves, sleeves, fuel system components and other parts that are prone to distortion when honed. Its patented system control is designed for unattended operation and automatically laps and air gage bores throughout the cycle. Gage readings are fed back to the control and the cycle is repeated until the parts are within specifications. “Automated lapping is more consistent than manual and there are fewer workers today with the skills necessary for precision manual lapping,” said Phil Hanna, Sunnen product manager. “For very expensive parts an automatic lapping process reduces the possibility of ruined parts due to human error. Since lapping is usually the last process during the machining of a workpiece, if the lapping is not correct all the work to get the part produced up to that point is wasted.”

These patented lapping tools are available for workpiece diameters from 6.3 mm to 45 mm (0.25 in to 1.77 in) and lengths up to 12X the bore diameter, not to exceed 200 mm (7.87 in). Additional diameter ranges are in development. Spindle speed range is 100 rpm to 2,000 rpm during lapping, but it is capable of slow speeds for non-powered steps, such as lapping paste application or slow-rotation bore entry. Stroking speed is 0-350 spm, with stroke length optimized to achieve a high degree of cylindricity. “This system is a time-saver that frees operators to run another machine, or handle other job floor duties,” added Hanna. “Operators load the workpiece into the fixture and start the lapping cycle, the cycle ends when the part is in tolerance. With automated lapping, less skilled operators can achieve consistent, close-tolerance results. The precision control valve market is growing, not only in aerospace, but other industries as well. We have numerous SVL-2115 machines now in operation around the U.S., proving the need for automated lapping.”

Due to the outstanding ergonomics of this machine, repetitive motion injuries often encountered with manual lapping have been virtually eliminated. There is no need to touch a moving part during the lapping process, and a light curtain is standard so safety is greatly improved. Easy tooling and probe changeovers accommodate multiple different parts runs during the course of a shift. A stack light allows operators to monitor cycle completions or faults from a distance. Sunnen offers the complete automated lapping system, including machines, tools, fixtures, lapping paste, gage probes, coolant systems and coolants.

Sunnen Products Company, 7910 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO 63143, 314-781-2100, Fax: 314-951-2718, [email protected], www.sunnen.com.