BRM Official Blog

Made in the USA Flex-Hone® tools from Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) are helping manufacturers across the United States to compete and win in the global marketplace.

For surface finishing and deburring the walls of cylinders, Flex-Hone® tools are more than just the industry standard. BRM’s flexible, resilient honing tools help companies to reduce costs, improve productivity, and increase quality and consistency.   

Let’s take a closer look at how two U.S. manufacturers have used Flex-Hone® technology to meet business challenges and get real-world results. You can also find additional case studies on the Applications Guide section of our website.

Small-diameter Flex-Hone® tools are a great choice for imparting a smooth, oil-retaining surface finish to the walls of smaller-diameter cylinders. These miniature metalworking tools from Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) can also remove burrs from cross-drilled holes.

Flexible honing requires no special training or instruction, but which small-diameter Flex-Hone® tool do you need? Bore size is important, of course, but you’ll also need to consider the workpiece base material and the amount of work to perform.

Workplace injuries can result in employee disability, lost productivity, and painful effects on your company's bottom line. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employers pay almost $1 billion per week for direct workers’ compensation claims.

For manufacturers and machine shop owners, reducing the risk of worker injury isn’t just the right thing to do. It makes good business sense.

In recognition of National Safety Month, Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) brings you the following power brush safety tips. The American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) both publish complete guidelines. There are also federal, state, and local regulations you may need to follow.

Metal shafts are rotating elements that transmit power in machinery and equipment. They can be finished to size by turning and grinding, but shaft manufacturers need to impart a final finish that promotes proper performance. Otherwise, friction-related problems can occur.

For example, shafts that are too smooth may adhere to plain bearings. Shafts that are too rough are also problematic because of abrasion-induced friction. Wire wheel brushes and non-woven abrasives can improve a shaft’s surface finish, but these tools raise concerns about safety and performance.

For superior surface finishing and deburring, shaft manufacturers use NamPower wheel brushes from Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM).  These nylon abrasive brushing tools provide important advantages in terms of brush construction and performance.

Brake rotors that lack a smooth, non-directional finish tend to wear out more quickly. Surface irregularities that produce harmonic vibrations cause brake squeaking and squealing, too. In automotive transmissions, flywheels with irregular surfaces also produce excessive noise and wear.

To improve the surface finish of brake rotors, flywheels, and automotive clutch plates, mechanics and manufacturers use Flex-Hone® tools from Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM). The Flex-Hone® for Rotors imparts a smooth, non-directional finish and is ideal for both new and used rotors. This flexible honing tool doesn’t require special training, but there are three keys to surface finishing success.

NamPower disc brushes are nylon abrasive brushing tools for surface finishing and deburring machined components. They feature a unique combination of ceramic and silicon carbide abrasive for maximum burr removal and efficient surface improvement. NamPower discs can help you to improve part quality and consistency, but which type of tool do you need for your application?

Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) supplies NamPower disc brushes in different styles and sizes. The NamPower Resource Guide provides complete information about tool selection and use, but here’s what you need to know about achieving finer or coarser finishes. There are four main factors to consider: trim length, disc speed, grit size, and coolant use. For coarser finishes, you may need a smaller-diameter tool, too.

Wire cup brushes are cup-shaped brushing tools with carbon steel or stainless steel filaments. Part manufacturers and machine shops use them for surface preparation, deburring, and surface finishing. Applications include rust, paint, and weld scale removal. Wire cup brushes are used for metal cleaning and edge blending, too.

A type of power brush, wire cups can feature an arbor hole to support their attachment to grinding tools. Different types of wire cups are available, but tool selection isn't just about filament material, which is a function of the workpiece. To choose the right wire cup brush, you'll also need to understand the differences between crimped wire and knotted wire filaments. Brush diameter, wire size, and trim length are important to consider, too.     

Diamond Flex-Hone® tools remove burrs, blend edges, and improve the inner diameter (ID) surface finish of machined parts made of harder materials such as carbide, ceramic, and hardened tool steels. Importantly, these diamond abrasive honing tools also improve the quality of machined holes in aerospace, defense, and medical device manufacturing.

Automated parts deburring isn’t just for big companies and high-volume manufacturers. Machine shops and tool makers can also leverage their existing production equipment to improve efficiency, ensure quality, and promote consistency

Flex-Hone® tools remove burrs, deglaze bores, and improve cylinder surface finish. Made in the USA by Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM), these flexible cylinder hones enable manufacturers, machinists, metalworkers, and maintenance personnel to solve surface finishing and deburring challenges.

Importantly, Flex-Hone® tools also support the bottom line. BRM ball hones offer a range of benefits, but can Flex-Hone® technology really save you time and money? Through asset protection, increased productivity, and value-added manufacturing, you can reap the rewards of flexible cylinder honing.