high-performance 11-axis CNC system from NUM Corp. (Naperville, IL) provides complex control for the Grono 250 gear honing machine from Sicmat SpA for post- hardening fine-finishing. The Grono 250 uses an innovative honing wheel with external teeth and an application-specific CNC program to provide accuracy in gear shaving that eliminates the need for shaving and grinding stages. Until recently, Sicmat specialized in machines that used shaving technology to obtain the necessary finish to medium and high-quality gears for the automotive industry. Shaving generally was performed before the workpiece was case hardened by heat treating. Any heat- induced deformation had to be corrected by grinding or honing. Sicmat’s objective was to develop a high-power honing machine that would help gear manufacturers ac-
Grono 250 gear honing machines use a honing wheel with external teeth for lower tooling costs and simpler setup and to replace gear-shaving in many applications.