Gear technology and automation systems

Magazine 2020

Liebherr is embracing technological change towards alternative drives and has developed a modular automation system solution for the assembly of battery packs for electric cars – from small batch manufacturing to fully automated mass production. Advantages: Liebherr automation is system-compatible and offers process reliability, fast cycle times and flexibility.

Most read

  • 01

    In August 2019, trainees Fabian Altenried and Julia Fetzer participated in the Liebherr Summer Program at Liebherr Gear Technology Inc. / Liebherr Automation Systems Co. (LGT / LAU) in Saline, near Detroit. There, they ran the PLC programming course for pupils of the robotics course from the local high school, which was offered for the first time, and got to know the work routine at the Liebherr site. Fabian reports on his experience here:

  • 02

    Liebherr presents the new series of generating and profile grinding machines for hard machining of external and internal gears on workpieces with diameters of up to 500 millimeters. The LGG series follows the successful Liebherr LCS 300 to 500 series. With an impressive range of added features, they offer more flexibility and grinding performance with a significantly reduced footprint.

  • 03

    Gear skiving is over 100 years old and has recently been experiencing a renaissance as a flexible and economical alternative to other gear cutting methods. However, this complex process frequently presents great challenges to users. In addition to Skiving3, a “complete package” consisting of machine, tool and technology, Liebherr now also offers skiving tools for suppliers and contract gear manufacturers – and the appropriate consultation, if desired.

A year ago, Wenzel GearTec GmbH, a successful manufacturer of gear inspection machines, was integrated into Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH. How are the customers, technology and employees benefiting from this today? We spoke to Peter Biemer, Liebherr’s divisional Head of Sales Gear Cutting Machines, and Heinrich Brüderle, Head of Measuring Technology, formerly of Wenzel GearTec GmbH.

Liebherr opened a new test hall for automation systems in Kempten. Prototype solutions are tested and the systems are “put to the test” here. This new facility allows the customers to experience the tests “live” and gives them the opportunity to conduct virtual tests themselves.

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Close to production, with high cleanliness and air conditioning standards: The two new measuring rooms of Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH at the Ettlingen site are used for quality control during the production of Liebherr gear cutting tools and for contract manufacturing.

Karl-Heinz Klöble is responsible for putting large gear cutting machines into service in China. We spoke to him about his experiences there and what fascinates and motivates him in his unusual job – and why he’s too busy to retire yet.

How can we ensure maximum manufacturing productivity? What is the best automation system for our wide variety of parts? Which partner can reliably put our plans and requirements into practice? These are the kinds of questions that every manufacturing company aiming to increase its productivity has to ask. Kordel Antriebstechnik GmbH, based in the Westphalian town of Dülmen, found the right solution for its gearbox production with a pallet handling system from Liebherr.

Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH presented four machine concepts at EMO 2019. These were characterized above all by their versatility. With technologies such as shaping, worm milling, grinding and skiving, the exhibited products offered a wide range of options for every requirement in gear technology. Here is a review of the trends at the leading trade fair for metal machining.

Clamping units for gears with short delivery times at low costs – due to the high level of individualization of clamping devices, these demands were often diffi cult to reconcile. That’s now a thing of the past. The segment clamping arbor SECLA from Liebherr is an innovative, inexpensive standard solution with short delivery times for a maximum application range in gear manufacturing machining.