The LGG 180 machine for profile and generating grinding that Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH introduced recently achieves short grinding times but maintains consistent large-scale production quality, the developer said, thanks to its one-table design. The advantage of this concept is higher quality standards throughout the entire production. Every machined part is manufactured under the same conditions for the highest reproducibility, according to Dr.-Ing. Andreas Mehr, Grinding and Shaping Technology Development and Consultancy at Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH.
Liebherr-Verzahntechnik is a division of The Liebherr Group, which builds CNC gear hobbing machines, gear-shaping machines, generating and profile grinding machines and gear-cutting tools machines and automation systems.
“A key argument in favor of the one-table solution is the statistical capability and reliability in continuously producing controlled, µ-range finish quality,” Mehr emphasized.
In order to minimize any thermal impacts, the machine bed is produced in a thermally stable material.
The core of the machine is the newly developed grinding head: it’s capable of rotation speeds up to 10,000 rpm, and it has spindle power of 35 kW. Given these performance capabilities, the head allows both high cutting speeds and high feed rates.
Conventional solutions were included in other areas, in order to be prepared for yet higher quality requirements.
The new machine’s performance standards mean that it can fulfill the potential of the new abrasive products, like 3M’s Cubitron II discs.
The LGG 180 machine will allow undulations to be applied specifically to gear wheel flanks, for noise optimization. The ability to produce sub-µ range waviness cost-effectively gives designers a whole new range of optimization options.
The LGG machine is fast too, with the set-up advantages of a one-table solution: The machines for both 180 mm and 280 mm gears have the same compact external dimensions, facilitating installation within production lines.
“Vehicle manufacturers can thus develop a complete production line,” Mehr noted, “in which all gearing components for a passenger vehicle transmission can be ground: planetary and sun gears, bore-type gears, as well as drive and pinion shafts with lengths up to 500 mm.”
