Affolter Group
Affolter Af160 800 60a65e319fcf1

Versatile Gear Hobbing Machine

May 20, 2021
The AF160 is designed for high-precision manufacturing, with eight independent axes, for parts up to 60 mm OD and 250 mm long.

AFFOLTER GROUP’s AF160 gear hobbing machine is “designed for high precision manufacturers that need versatility and maximum efficiency,” explained Vincent Affolter, managing director. “With eight axes, a state-of-the-art digital CNC control, a variety of automation solutions and a maximum module of 2 mm, it is ideal for manufacturers in industries such as automotive, aerospace, aircraft, gearbox, medical or robotics.”

The AF160 can process parts with an outside diameter of up to 60 mm and a length of 250 mm. The machining length is between 110 and 180 mm. The eight axes – all of them independent – make the AF160 the most flexible Affolter machine to date.

It can produce straight gears, helical gears, straight bevel gears, face gears, straight or helical crowned gears, worm screws, worm wheels, cylkro gears, and internal gears. Power skiving, the milling of worms and shafts, as well as chamfering are possible, too.

The engineers of Affolter Group cooperated with Beckhoff Automation to launch the new CNC Control Pegasus. The high processing power ensures extremely fast regulation. “It controls all machine axes as well as a multitude of peripherals for various options and automations,” said Affolter. Programming is simple, intuitive, and user-friendly with a 19- inch touch screen. The new CNC Control integrates IoT. Data can be shared on the cloud, streamlining after-sales service and preventive maintenance, and therefore minimizing downtimes. Software updates can be done remotely.

Depending on the application and production processes, manufacturers need automation solutions to facilitate an autonomous operation for 12 to 24 hours. Affolter provides the AF72 universal multi-axes part loading and unloading system, especially designed for the AF160. It features a double gripper system for parallel loading and unloading and offers different methods of feeding based on the volume, product, and application.

The AF160 also can be equipped with the AF54 deburring unit, integrating the deburring process into the gear production. Different clamping systems provide for added versatility. Customizable coolant systems and chip extraction conveyors are available as well.

AF160 technical characteristics:
  8 axis CNC
  Max. module: 2.00 m / 12.7 DP
  Max. cutting length: 110-180 mm / 4.33-7.08 in.
  Max. part diameter: 60 mm / 2.36 in.
  Spindle rotation B: 9,000-16,000 rpm
  Spindle rotation C-C: 5,000-12,000 rpm
  Dimensions LxWxH: 1,500x2,010x2,650mm
  Weight: 3’900 kg / 8.598 lb

Learn more at www.affoltergroup.ch

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