AF160 Gear Hobbing Machine Facilitates Flexible Manufacturing

The Affolter AF160 is an 8-axis CNC gear hobbing machine designed for high-precision manufacturers that need versatility and maximum efficiency. With eight axes, a digital CNC control and a variety of automation solutions, it is well suited for manufacturers in industries such as automotive, aerospace, aircraft, gearbox, medical and robotics. It can handle a range of applications to produce different kind of gears and worm screws with a module of up to 2 mm.

The machine features a CNC Control Pegasus which is user-friendly, ensures fast regulation and integrates IoT, the company says. Various automation solutions facilitate flexible manufacturing of low or high volumes with an autonomy of 12 to 24 hours. The programming is said to be simple and intuitive with a 19-inch touchscreen. Data can be shared on the cloud, streamlining after-sales service and preventive maintenance, and minimizing downtimes. Software updates can be done remotely.

The AF160 can process parts with an outside diameter of up to 60 mm and a length of 250 mm. The machining length is between 110 and 180 mm. The eight independent axes make it very flexible. It can produce straight gears, helical gears, straight bevel gears, face gears, straight or helical crowned gears, worm screws, worm wheels, cylkro gears and internal gears. It can also handle power skiving, the milling of worms and shafts, and chamfering — all on the same compact machine. The footprint of the machine is only 4 m². Including the loader AF72 the footprint is a little more than 6 m².

The machine’s universal multi-axis part loading and unloading system AF72 features a double gripper system for parallel loading and unloading, and offers different methods of feeding based on the volume, product and application. The AF160 can also be equipped with the deburring unit AF54, integrating the deburring process into the gear production. Different clamping systems provide for added versatility. Customizable coolant systems and chip extraction conveyors are available as well.