Powerful machine, powerful partners
Ilmberger Maschinen- und Zahnradfabrik GmbH has boosted its capacity for manufacturing cylindrical gears up to 400 millimeters in diameter by investing in the Liebherr LC 400 M gear hobbing machine. This efficient, compact, and adaptable solution perfectly aligns with the company‘s long-term customer commitments. And they were impressed not only by the technology, but also by Liebherr’s communication and service across the board.
Ilmberger Maschinen- und Zahnradfabrik GmbH, based in Straubing in eastern Bavaria, has been developing and manufacturing drive technology and coating systems since 1946. On modern production lines, 90 employees produce precision gears and drive components for virtually all industrial sectors. The company specializes in small and medium-sized batches, prototypes and pre-series. Our business relationship with Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH goes back to 1956, when we purchased our first Lorenz S 800 gear hobbing machine. Today, the versatile, state-of-the-art machine park also includes other Liebherr machines. In 2024, Ilmberger invested in a new Liebherr gear hobbing machine to increase production capacity for cylindrical gears, aiming to meet the needs of a long-term customer project.
“The fact that we have been working together for decades speaks for itself.”
Productive and powerful: the LC 400 M
The LC 400 M is designed for manual loading and offers high productivity and adaptability in a small footprint. It is suitable for workpieces with diameters of up to 400 millimeters and shafts with lengths of up to 500 millimeters and features high rigidity, a thermally stable machine bed and a particularly powerful cutter head. The intuitive, touch-based user interface of the LHGearTec software makes setup significantly easier. But aspects such as the price and the short delivery time also played a role in the decision in favor of the LC 400 M – decisive factors, especially in contract work.
Small machine for large modules
Three different drive gears are produced with module sizes from 4.5 to 7.25, diameters up to 320 millimeters and face widths up to 80 millimeters. These are crowned, pre-ground helical gears. During processing, several allowances must be taken into account in order to be able to make targeted corrections after hardening. Ilmberger was impressed by the powerful cutter head of the LC 400 M. “At first, we were skeptical about whether the compact machine could handle the large module in the long term – but it does so with ease,” says Oliver Macholej, Production Manager at Ilmberger Maschinen- und Zahnradfabrik GmbH.
Ergonomic and good for the back: The robot handles the loading of heavy workpieces.
Manually loadable machine with flexible automation
Due to the significantly more compact footprint, the choice fell on the manual machine version, which was automated in-house with a handling robot and conveyor belt. “Not primarily to increase productivity, but because of the high component weight and the increasing quantities,” explains Oliver Macholej. “We love the versatility of the LC 400 M – the automation can be quickly dismantled and used on other systems if required. This is ideal for our medium-sized company with changing requirements.”
Ilmberger Maschinen- und Zahnradfabrik GmbH
Sector:
Mechanical Engineering, Drive Technology
Company headquarters:
Straubing (D)
Employees:
approx. 80 employees
Founded:
1946
Website:
www.ilmberger.de/en
“Everything was perfect”
Ilmberger‘s customers are not just very satisfied with the machine: “The fact that we have been working together for decades speaks for itself,” praises Oliver Macholej. Short distances, direct contact with the sales department and comprehensive service – from tools to grinding – round off the complete package. “Buying a machine is a matter of trust – in the end, everything was perfect.”
