BRM Official Blog

Pneumatic cylinders are fluid power devices that use a compressed gas such as air to move a piston in a reciprocating, linear motion. If the walls of a pneumatic cylinder are too smooth, there’s higher friction between the O-rings and bore surfaces. If the walls of a pneumatic cylinder are too rough, burrs and other surface irregularities can shear softer seal materials. 

To protect the integrity of pneumatic cylinders, manufacturers and maintenance technicians need to ensure that bores have a proper surface finish. The Flex-Hone® tool from Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) removes burrs and improves surface condition at the same time. Suitable for any type or size cylinder, these flexible honing tools also support cylinder sealing and lubrication. 

Fluid power systems use a liquid or a gas to transmit power from one location to another. With hydraulics, the fluid is usually an oil. With pneumatics, a gas such as compressed air is used. In both types of systems, the movement of a cylinder plunger produces linear motion.

Unless the bores of hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders have a smooth surface finish, however, performance may suffer. To optimize inner diameter (ID) surface finish, the fluid power industry uses Flex-Hone® tools from Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM).