The Liebherr LC 100 is designed to machine small, mass-produced components – conventional automatic gearbox applications, such as planetary and sun gears. The fast swivel loader assures short chip-to-chip times and high productivity. Set-up flexibility is enhanced by exchangeable quick-change gripper inserts requiring no tools. With a rapid machine loading and unloading capability, the Liebherr LC 100 can achieve chip-to-chip times of three seconds.
Close Cooperation with Tool Manufacturer
At the AMB 2014 trade fair, the machine was exhibited in partnership with the precision toolmaker Gebr. Saacke GmbH of Pforzheim, Germany, producing worm wheels in extremely short cycle times of eight seconds.
Saacke will use the LC 100 to machine carbide worm wheel hobbing cutters that provide a range of benefits– significantly higher hobbing speeds are feasible resulting in minimum machining times. Furthermore the increased rigidity and cutting-edge reliability of the Saacke carbide tools delivers a higher level of surface quality than conventional HSS tools. Further, the hardness and the edge strength of the carbide tools support long tool life.
Complementary Skills
“Our close worm wheel hobbing machine partnership is based on each company’s core skills and enables users to manufacture worm gearing with good roll performance characteristics and optimum power transmission in the shortest possible time,” Oliver Winkel said.
Also, tools with a diameter of 20 to 30 mm are comparatively thin in relation to length, so conventional tools would tend to vibrate. Given its high modulus of elasticity, carbide is far less prone to vibrate and rattle. Hobbing speeds can be increased significantly. At tool diameters of between 20 and 30 mm and cutting speeds of more than 250 m per minute, hobbing speeds of more than 3,000 to 4,000 rpm can be achieved.
