Liebherr’s new LGG 180 machine for profile and generating grinding combines short grinding times with consistent high large-scale production quality, thanks to a one-table design. The advantage to the one-table solution is higher quality throughout the entire production. Every machined part is manufactured under the same conditions for the highest reproducibility, said Dr.-Ing. Andreas Mehr, grinding and shaping technology development and consultancy at Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH.“A key argument in favor of the one-table solution is the statistical capability and reliability in continuously producing controlled µ-range finish quality,” Mehr emphasizes.

The new grinding head allows for rotation speeds up to 10,000 rpm and has spindle power of 35 kW. Given this per-formance data, the head enables high cutting speeds and high feed rates. The new grinding machine can exploit the considerable potential of the innovative abrasive Cubitron II. The machine will enable undulations to be applied specifically to gear wheel flanks for noise optimization purposes for the first time. The ability to produce sub-µ range waviness cost-effectively gives designers a whole new range of optimization options.

Production advantages
The LGG machine delivers fast processing combined with the set-up advantages of a one-table solution. In addition, the machines for both 180 mm and 280 mm gears have the same compact external dimensions, facilitating installation within production lines. “Vehicle manufacturers can thus develop a complete production line, in which all gearing components for a passenger vehicle transmission can be ground: planetary and sun gears, bore-type gears, as well as drive and pinion shafts with lengths up to 500 mm. In order to minimize any thermal impacts, the machine bed is of a thermally stable material. The core of the machine is the newly developed grinding head. Conventional solutions have been chosen here in several areas in order to be prepared for yet higher quality requirements.