At a two-day in-house event on November 9-10 at the Ettlingen Oberweier (Germany) Works, gear industry experts from Europe, Asia, and the United States had the opportunity to take a close look at the Höfler cylindrical gear machines of the system provider Klingelnberg. The company’s latest innovation — direct networking of a Höfler cylindrical gear machine with a Klingelnberg precision measuring center — was the center of focus.
About 100 gear experts were invited to a behind-the-scenes look at the works of one of the market leaders in the gear industry and talked with Klingelnberg specialists. A total of 13 exhibition areas at the Ettlingen Works were dedicated to showcasing the innovative and versatile solutions as well as the latest technological processes.
Stefan Finkbeiner (Klingelnberg area sales manager, rear right) and Dr. Christof Gorgels (head of the Klingelnberg Precision Measuring Center product line, front right) demonstrating the networking of a measuring device with a cylindrical gear machine to Willi Humbel (chairman of the Board of Directors of Humbel Zahnräder AG, front left) and Patrick Wirz (head of technology and member of the Board of Directors of Humbel Zahnräder AG, rear left)The latest development from the system provider enables direct networking of a closed-loop cylindrical gear machine with a measuring device. This technology was previously only possible with bevel gear machines and is a global innovation in the market.
“By transferring the established Klingelnberg closed-loop concept for cylindrical gears, we link the machining centers with the measuring machine and are therefore driving digitization of gear manufacturing firmly forward,” said Dr. Christof Gorgels, head of the Precision Measuring Center product line. “The closed-loop concept for cylindrical gears is based on an open interface and automates machine correction.”
To demonstrate how the latest Industry 4.0-compliant development can be used for practical production, a Viper 500 cylindrical gear grinding machine was networked with the P 40 measuring machine at the Works.
“We have been waiting for this interface!” said Willi Humbel, chairman of the Board of Directors of Humbel Zahnräder AG. “This development will help us tremendously to simplify production of our toothed gears and improve the quality of our components at the same time.”
Digitization in production was the main topic at the two-day event. Höfler cylindrical gear grinding machines are not only hallmarked by reliable and highly developed hardware, but the company’s own GearPro software also guarantees convenient machining and ensures maximum efficiency in daily use.
In addition, attendees were able to obtain information about the wide range of services of the machine construction company. With the “Höfler Service Gate” remote maintenance concept, a global communication network will be established in the future from the Ettlingen Oberweier site.
At the beginning of the technology show, visitors already marveled at the sight of a customized 8-meter-high Höfler HF 6000 cylindrical gear cutting machine at the plant entrance. This cylindrical gear cutting machine for workpieces with a diameter of up to 6 meters is the largest cutting machine in the world with an automated deburring and chamfering unit.
For more information: klingelnberg.com
