Gear technology and automation systems

Evotion 2024 | Customer Magazine

From “Plug & Pray” to “Plug & Play”

Gear skiving used to be a gear cutting method that was difficult to control due to its complex kinematics, but it now offers a genuine alternative to shaping or broaching. The synergy between machines, tools and processes provided by Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH’s Skiving³ technology package makes it possible to efficiently and flexibly machine an extremely wide variety of workpieces, including in small batch sizes. Skiving³ therefore crucially boosts productivity, quality and cost-effectiveness levels not just in series production, but in contract gear manufacturing as well.

  • Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH is taking the plunge into artificial intelligence (AI) with its latest version of LHRobotics.Vision bin picking software. Filtering out irrelevant image data enables faster and more accurate detection of unsorted workpieces when removing them from containers.

  • In electric vehicles, the meshing of the gears can cause disruptive gearbox noise excitations. It is therefore becoming increasingly important for automotive manufacturers and suppliers of electric motors to identify and eliminate the causes of unwanted noise at an early stage. With the LHProcessMonitoring software, Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH has developed a tool that detects deviations during gear production. This saves costs and reduces rejects – and is therefore also of interest to manufacturers of conventional gearboxes.

  • Pongi Gear Experts Co., Ltd. has represented Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH in Taiwan for many years. In 2022, it incorporated the Kempten company‘s bin picking software into its portfolio and set up its own demonstration and training facility for intelligent automation. Potential customers can evaluate the smart and intuitive system on a fully equipped cell with a camera, robot and simulation tool.

  • Sustainability goals and increasing raw material prices are making the recycling of batteries from electric vehicles an increasingly pressing issue for the automotive industry. To recover the valuable raw materials and components from the battery packs, they must be disassembled and sorted at the end of their service life. Automated processes provide a basis for economic dismantling while minimizing the hazards to employees from high-voltage equipment. Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH uses its tried and tested automation technology for this and is working with research and industry to develop scalable, flexible solutions for the automotive and recycling sectors.

The revised Liebherr gear shaping machine with new features

Robust and even more versatile: the LS 500 E

Gear shaping is a robust and universal process for manufacturing gears – due to the geometries of some gears, no other machining methods are capable of producing the teeth. In order to offer even more versatility in this area, Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH has fundamentally revised and developed its LS 500 E gear shaping machine. A shaping head featuring an electronic helical guide and an interface for an optional chamfering device are now included as standard.

Learning and networking platform for the gearing industry

Liebherr gear seminars worldwide

Liebherr has been offering specialist seminars for the gearing industry all over the world for over 20 years. The gear seminars are designed as a learning and networking platform for users, where Liebherr experts and speakers from universities and from the industry discuss practical topics and specific issues relating to gear technology. At the same time, they offer participants the opportunity to share their experiences.

Successful conversion of production at Halewood

Ford produces electric drive units using Liebherr gantry systems

E-mobility is taking hold around the world – and the automotive industry is changing. Many manufacturers are shifting from internal combustion engines to electric powertrains. The Ford Motor Company – a long-term partner of Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH – will be making most of the electric drive units for its European production at its UK transmission plant at Halewood near Liverpool. As before, Ford will be using Liebherr gantry technology, but for electric drive units rather than transmissions for internal combustion engines.

Avoid unplanned downtime and reduce maintenance costs

Condition monitoring with a "digital fingerprint"

Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH now provides its customers with the most important drive and actuator data from a machine – its "digital fingerprint” – as a service to simplify and accelerate machine diagnostics. This makes condition monitoring easier and reduces maintenance costs.

From point cloud to picking: LHRobotics.Vision software further enhanced

AI supported image processing in bin picking

Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH is taking the plunge into artificial intelligence (AI) with its latest version of LHRobotics.Vision bin picking software. Filtering out irrelevant image data enables faster and more accurate detection of unsorted workpieces when removing them from containers.

PHS 10000 Pro automates production of large parts at machine manufacturer GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG

Standard, yet individual

With the PHS 10000 Pro pallet handling system from Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH, the machine tool manufacturer GROB in Mindelheim has automated its in-house production of machine components on two 4-axis machining centers and thus increased productivity by around 45%. The challenge here was not only to manage large parts weighing tons, but also a series of additional constraints that required highly individual solutions, as well as project planning where not a single day‘s work could be delayed.

Flexible automation solutions for the automotive and recycling industries

Non-destructive disassembly of battery packs

Sustainability goals and increasing raw material prices are making the recycling of batteries from electric vehicles an increasingly pressing issue for the automotive industry. To recover the valuable raw materials and components from the battery packs, they must be disassembled and sorted at the end of their service life. Automated processes provide a basis for economic dismantling while minimizing the hazards to employees from high-voltage equipment. Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH uses its tried and tested automation technology for this and is working with research and industry to develop scalable, flexible solutions for the automotive and recycling sectors.

Assignments abroad for trainees

Preparing apprentices for work in the international arena

The opportunity to gain experience abroad and work in Europe, the USA or Asia has been an integral part of training at Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH since 2000. After a temporary interruption due to Corona, the program is once again enjoying great popularity. The young people taking part in the assignment not only experience enriching stays abroad but are also well-prepared for international service assignments.