Cross-Hatch Honing Parameters: Stroke, Pressure and Grit
2026-10-12
The cross-hatch angle equation
Cross-hatch angle is set by the ratio between stroke speed and spindle rotation speed. Doubling stroke speed at constant RPM flattens the angle; the usual target window for engine cylinders is 40–60° included angle. Get the ratio first — changing stones cannot compensate for wrong kinematics.
Pressure governs stock removal and plateau
Higher stone pressure removes stock faster but coarsens the plateau and can smear the surface. Production honing usually splits the process: a roughing pass at higher pressure, then a finish pass at reduced pressure with finer grit for the plateau.
Grit selection with plateau targets
For Rz targets typical of cylinder bores, CBN in the B151–B326 range serves roughing; diamond D46–D76 finishes plateau surfaces economically on cast iron. Always finish with the finest grade that reaches the plateau spec — going finer only adds time.