You can rely on Liebherr
Italian contract gear cutting company Zanetti uses gear shaping and gear hobbing machines from Liebherr to manufacture gears and shafts. Machine reliability is the key factor here. But it‘s not just the machines that are reliable: right from the outset, the collaboration between the two companies was characterized by reliability and mutual trust. This has not changed to this day.
Italian gear manufacturer Didimo Zanetti S.p.A., headquartered near Bologna, has been producing gears, shafts and gear components for agricultural, construction and commercial vehicles and other industrial applications since 1953. The company sets high standards for the quality of its products and these standards are ensured by over 200 employees at two sites in Italy. For the production of cylindrical gears and shafts, Zanetti uses gear shaping and gear hobbing machines from Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH. The LS 380 E and the LC 380 are efficient and flexible, enabling universal contract manufacturing of various workpieces in different batch sizes.
Efficient and flexible manufacturing with Liebherr machines
In collaboration with Liebherr since 2010
When looking for a gear cutting machine with ring loader automation, Liebherr was recommended to Zanetti as a suitable supplier. “Even during our first visit to Kempten, we were struck by the professional and friendly atmosphere,” recalls plant manager Michele Gualandi. Zanetti now produces on a total of seven Liebherr machines, all equipped with plastic chain conveyors for automatic loading or robot served. “Automation is one of the features we particularly appreciate in Liebherr machines,” explains Gualandi.
Reliable, productive and flexible
First and foremost, Gualandi cites reliability and productivity as the most important features of Liebherr machines. Compared to other machines, Liebherr machines achieve up to 20% higher productivity. Reliability and flexibility are at least as important to him: “We produce in three shifts around the clock. For this, we need machines that are absolutely reliable with minimal maintenance requirements,” Gualandi stresses. He also highlights the short set-up times of Liebherr machines, as different workpieces can be flexibly produced in a single clamping operation. Machining larger workpieces is no problem either on the LS 380 E shaping machine with a stroke length of 120 millimeters.
Didimo Zanetti S.p.A.
Industry:
Drive technology
Company headquarters:
Casalecchio di Reno / Bologna (IT)
Employees:
Around 200
Founded:
1953
Website:
Collaborative software development
Both sides fondly recall the beginnings of the collaboration: the joint development of the special software for the LS 380 E, which enables asymmetrical lead modifications such as crowning and taper. “At that time, a beta version of the software already existed at Liebherr, which we then tested extensively. With the software, we achieved the perfect workpiece geometry for asymmetrical gear teeth after heat treatment. The results convinced not only us, but also our customer, and ultimately tipped the scales in favor of purchasing the machine,“ Gualandi recounts. Peter Lindner, Project Manager at Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH, adds: “From the very beginning, it was a collaboration, not an opposition. Zanetti not only gave feedback when something wasn‘t running, but also when it was. That hasn‘t changed to this day. And that‘s not necessarily a given.”
LC 380 gear hobbing machine with chain conveyor automation
Trust as the basis for good collaboration
In the meantime, the two companies are negotiating the purchase of another LS 380 E. At Zanetti, they appreciate the good and personal advice provided by Liebherr and the range of machines and technology that covers all the gear cutting methods in Zanetti‘s portfolio. In addition, the chemistry between the two companies is simply right: “We negotiate hard on prices and delivery times, but always deal with each other amicably and fairly – almost like a big family,” agree Gualandi and Lindner.
