IMTS 2014 Preview: Liebherr

LGG 180

Liebherr is set to demonstrate its new single table gear grinding machine and robotic bin packing automation at IMTS 2014 in booth N-6930.

Single table gear grinding machine

The LGG machines are easily coupled with Liebherr automation solutions to create a fully automated production line for the highest quality gears in the least possible cycle times. With a one-table design and a new-design grinding head, the new Liebherr LGG 180 and LGG 280 machines greatly reduce grinding times for twist-free profile and generating grinding. The machines are designed to deliver consistent high large-scale production quality in automotive applications, including conical gearing.

The advantage to the one-table solution is higher quality throughout the entire production. There is one clamping fixture, one geometry. Every machined part is manufactured under the same conditions for the highest reproducibility. The one-table approach provides the statistical capability and reliability in continuously producing controlled µ-range finish quality for gear noise optimization.

The new grinding head allows for rotation speeds up to 10,000 rpm and has spindle power of 35 kW. With this performance data, the head enables high cutting speeds and high feed rates. The new grinding machine can exploit the considerable potential of the innovative 3M abrasiveCubitron II.  Changing the grinding arbor with HSK-C 100 tool holder is a fast and simple process. Also available is a second grinding head for featuring a small worm diameter for collision-critical parts.

The LGG machines are easily coupled with Liebherr automation solutions to create a fully automated production line for the highest quality gears in the least possible cycle times.

Robotic bin packing automation

Liebherr Automation will demonstrate a smart part handling solution that can remove randomly placed items from a container and place them accurately in a machine or production line, utilizing 3-D image recognition system software, a robot, and a sophisticated handling strategy.

Robot bin picker

This intelligent removal of items, such as the automated picking of unsorted components, is referred to as random bin-picking. Specially developed grippers with additional axes enable collision-free access and the removal of items from the container, and subsequently allows for precise positioning of the item into a fixture or pallet.

The Liebherr custom bin-picking solution, designed for components weighing between 1 and 50 kilograms, deliver the potential for productivity and efficiency increases in a range of parts producing industries, including automotive, aerospace, general machining, and commercial vehicles. The company has developed process-reliable solutions that achieve the cycle times and high availability rates manufacturers require.

The advantages of this scalable automation process include increased productivity, improved machine utilization rates, reduction of the need for additional machines to achieve desired plant production volumes, and more consistent production quality.

For more information, visit www.liebherr-us.com.