A honing machine features a stand (1) with at least two feet (3), wherein the stand (1) has an area with two substantially parallel surfaces, and wherein at least one honing spindle (11), another machining spindle (11) or another functional unit is arranged on the two substantially parallel surfaces of the stand (1).

A honing machine using a robot to load gears into a loadbox at a loadbox station. The loadbox moves downstream to a position over an empty pallet in a pallet load station where the gears are released into the empty pallet. A series of downstream machining stations performing a series of honing operations on the bores of the gears in a series of pallets. A removal mechanism removing the honed gears simultaneously from the pallet at a pallet unload station. An overhead gripper on a movable gantry grips the empty pallet at the unload station and returns the pallet to the pallet load station where the pallet is reloaded with additional gears from the loadbox. The honing machine can continuously hone gears using only one pallet at each machining station and one pallet at the pallet loading station.

A honing machine using a robot to load gears into a loadbox at a loadbox station. The loadbox moves downstream to a position over an empty pallet in a pallet load station where the gears are released into the empty pallet. A series of downstream machining stations performing a series of honing operations on the bores of the gears in a series of pallets. A removal mechanism removing the honed gears simultaneously from the pallet at a pallet unload station. An overhead gripper on a movable gantry grips the empty pallet at the unload station and returns the pallet to the pallet load station where the pallet is reloaded with additional gears from the loadbox. The honing machine can continuously hone gears using only one pallet at each machining station and one pallet at the pallet loading station.

A honing machine using a robot to load gears into a loadbox at a loadbox station. The loadbox moves downstream to a position over an empty pallet in a pallet load station where the gears are released into the empty pallet. A series of downstream machining stations performing a series of honing operations on the bores of the gears in a series of pallets. A removal mechanism removing the honed gears simultaneously from the pallet at a pallet unload station. An overhead gripper on a movable gantry grips the empty pallet at the unload station and returns the pallet to the pallet load station where the pallet is reloaded with additional gears from the loadbox. The honing machine can continuously hone gears using only one pallet at each machining station and one pallet at the pallet loading station.

A process of producing a ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component and a ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component are provided. The process includes modifying a surface of the ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component to produce a modified surface with a surface roughness of less than 6 micrometers. The modifying is selected from the group of techniques consisting of applying unreinforced matrix plies to the surface, vapor depositing silicon on the surface, honing the surface, applying braze paste to the surface, and combinations thereof. The component includes a modified surface including a surface roughness of less than 6 micrometers. The modified surface being selected from the group consisting of unreinforced matrix plies applied to a surface of the ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component, silicon vapor deposited on the surface, a honed surface, a braze paste applied to the surface, and combinations thereof.

A process of producing a ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component and a ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component are provided. The process includes modifying a surface of the ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component to produce a modified surface with a surface roughness of less than 6 micrometers. The modifying is selected from the group of techniques consisting of applying unreinforced matrix plies to the surface, vapor depositing silicon on the surface, honing the surface, applying braze paste to the surface, and combinations thereof. The component includes a modified surface including a surface roughness of less than 6 micrometers. The modified surface being selected from the group consisting of unreinforced matrix plies applied to a surface of the ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component, silicon vapor deposited on the surface, a honed surface, a braze paste applied to the surface, and combinations thereof.

A grinding tool includes a substrate having a surface provided with a plurality of openings, and a plurality of grinding studs. Each of the grinding studs includes a stud portion and an abrasive particle attached to each other, the stud portions being respectively attached into the openings, and the abrasive particles protruding outward from the surface, each of the abrasive particles having a pattern cut across a tip thereof to define multiple apexes adjacent to one another. In some embodiments, methods of fabricating a grinding tool are also described.

A process of preparing a turbine rotor wheel, a repair tool for machining a turbine rotor wheel, and a turbine rotor wheel are disclosed. The process includes providing the turbine rotor wheel, the turbine rotor wheel having a dovetail slot, a cooling slot, and a dovetail acute corner formed by the dovetail slot and the cooling slot and removing a stress region from the dovetail acute corner. The repair tool permits removal of strained material while also reducing the operating stress of the feature. The turbine rotor wheel includes a machined portion resulting in lower stress for the turbine rotor wheel.

A honing apparatus has a top section which is disposed in a horizontal, transverse plane. First and second guide rails extend along the sides of the top section. A sharpening stone tray is located within the top section between the guard rails and a sharpening stone is positioned within the tray. An electric motor drives the sharpening stone tray in reciprocating motion within a path parallel to the horizontal plane of the top section. A clamp unit is located over the sharpening stone and secures a cutting tool at a given angle on and in relation to the sharpening stone. The reciprocating movement of the sharpening stone allows for precise sharpening of the cutting tool secured in the clamp unit.

A honing apparatus has a top section which is disposed in a horizontal, transverse plane. First and second guide rails extend along the sides of the top section. A sharpening stone tray is located within the top section between the guard rails and a sharpening stone is positioned within the tray. An electric motor drives the sharpening stone tray in reciprocating motion within a path parallel to the horizontal plane of the top section. A clamp unit is located over the sharpening stone and secures a cutting tool at a given angle on and in relation to the sharpening stone. The reciprocating movement of the sharpening stone allows for precise sharpening of the cutting tool secured in the clamp unit.