A hobbing machine is a machine tool used to make gears, i.e. gears and cogwheels. machines from the Lorenz brand are particularly renowned for their quality and precision in the gear manufacturing sector.

What is a gear hobber

The hobbing machine is a machine tool that allows you to create toothed profiles on pieces of metal, usually to produce gears. There are several types of gear hobbers, including hobbing (for cylindrical gears), knife gear (for non-cylindrical gears), and slotter (for internal gears).

How to use a hobbing machine

The gear hobber works through a synchronized movement between the tool (which can be a hob or another type of cutting tool) and the workpiece. During machining, the tool removes material from the piece, creating teeth with the desired shape.

Materials Used

Hobbing machines are mainly used to process metals, especially steel, cast iron and aluminum alloys. They can also process other metal materials depending on the specific needs of the finished product.

Main Industrial Sectors

Gear hobbing machines are essential in various industrial sectors, including:

• Automotive industry : for the production of transmission gears.
• Aerospace industry : for the production of critical components.
• Precision engineering industry : to produce gears for watches, machine tools, and other devices.
• Wind energy : for the production of large gears for wind turbines.

Calculations and Formulas to Optimize Use

Optimizing the use of gear cutting machines involves several calculations, including:

• Calculation of the modulus : m=dzm = \frac{d}{z} $m$ $=$ z d ​, mm $m$ is the modulus, dd $d$ is the pitch diameter, and zz $z$ is the number of teeth.
• Calculation of the pressure angle : necessary to define the shape of the tooth.
• Cutting speed : Vc=π⋅D⋅nV_c = \pi \cdot D \cdot n $V$ c ​= $\pi$ $\cdot$ $D$ $\cdot$ $n$ , where VcV_c $V$ c ​is DD $D$ is the tool diameter, and nn $n$ is the rotation speed.

The optimal use of the gear hobbing machine also requires the careful choice of processing parameters, such as cutting speed, cutting depth, and the type of tool to be used.

Types of Gear Hobbing Machines

• Hobbing machines : for external cylindrical gears.
• Shaping hobbing machines : for internal gears.
• Knife gear cutting machines : for special or non-cylindrical gears.
• CNC hobbing machines : numerically controlled machines for high precision and repeatable production.

Alternatives

Alternatives to the gear hobber include:

• Milling machines : used with specific accessories to produce gears.
• Electric discharge machining (EDM) : for complex gears or difficult to machine materials.
• Hot or cold stamping : for mass production of simpler gears.

Why it is better to buy a used Lorenz hobbing machine

Lorenz gear hobbing machines are known for their robustness and precision. Buying a used model can be advantageous because:

• Durability : Lorenz machines are built to last over time, maintaining high performance.
• Economic savings : The cost of a used gear hobbing machine is lower than that of a new one, but with correct maintenance, it can offer similar performance.
• Reliability : Lorenz is a historic brand, with a long tradition of excellence in manufacturing gear machines, so even older models tend to be reliable.

In summary, a used Lorenz brand hobbing machine can offer an excellent quality-price ratio for those who need precision and robustness in the production of gears.