Liebherr Offers Machining, Automation and Metrology Advancements
Liebherr will offer a variety of machining capabilities at IMTS 2026 including the LGP 2000 profile grinding machine, the PHS 3000 Allround pallet handling system, and advancements in waviness analysis that enables precise evaluation of noise generation in gearboxes.
Requirements for the finishing of large, hardened gears vary depending on the application. In wind power, the focus is on high volumes and cost efficiency, for example when producing planetary gears. In turbine gear units, marine drives and high-end industrial gear units with small batch sizes, process reliability is critical – the goal is a good part right from the first workpiece. Job shops require a high level of flexibility: a wide variety of components, internal and external gears, and complex geometries all need to be machined economically on a single system.
The LGP 2000 profile grinding machine is designed to meet these requirements. Like the other machines in the platform for workpieces up to two meters in diameter, it is based on a thermosymmetrical, optimally temperature-controlled bed and features a hydrostatically supported table with a wear-free direct drive. A stroke of up to two meters allows long shafts with multiple gears to be machined. Components up to 800 mm in diameter can be loaded automatically via a ringloader; additional automation solutions can be integrated depending on the component and application.
The high-performance PGH 450 FX grinding head allows a targeted combination of two grinding discs with different specifications in the dual-spindle configuration – from roughing and finishing through to fine grinding and polishing. This reduces machining times, increases process stability and lowers the risk of grinding burn. The result is excellent surface quality and high productivity, reducing cycle times by up to 35 percent.
The single-spindle configuration is particularly suitable for frequently changing components. An optional high-speed spindle is available for collision-critical parts, allowing the use of smaller grinding discs, including CBN discs where required. Internal gears can also be machined using optional internal grinding arms for the PGH 450 FX grinding head. Both options can be retrofitted if needed. Additionally, a swiveling probe enables in-machine gear inspection. The LHGearTec control system supports simple and reliable operation with its intuitive interface.
The PHS 3000 Allround automatically supplies machine tools with machine pallets. A flexible combination of standardized modules enables the user to uniquely configure their systems and allow for machine tools, setup stations, pallet storage and further modules to be added for expansion and scalability in all directions. In the new weight class, large and heavy parts weighing up to three tons of transport load can be automated – for example, valves for pipelines, axle components for heavy commercial vehicles or structural parts for the aerospace industry. For the PHS 3000 Allround, a particularly robust telescoping stroke was developed. This also retains the special advantage of frontal access; the operator is able to access the machine at all times through a door between the PHS and the machine. This ensures minimal downtime and high productivity, since the system continues to run when decoupling individual machines for manual activities or maintenance work. The shelf magazine on the PHS 3000 Allround also offers pallet storage for up to three levels.
