EMAG CLC SZ Series
Key Specifications
Max Workpiece ⌀
max module
axial travel
gearing width
shaping spindle
helical guide
Overview
The EMAG CLC SZ Series is a vertical CNC gear shaping machine designed for producing spur and helical gears — both internal and external — with workpiece diameters up to 500 mm (19.5 in) and modules up to 10 mm. Gear shaping uses a reciprocating pinion-shaped cutter that meshes with the workpiece in a generating motion, making it the process of choice for internal gears, cluster gears, and gear forms with interfering shoulders that prevent hobbing cutter access.
The CLC SZ Series features a vertical shaping spindle configuration with an electronic helical guide that replaces traditional mechanical lead screws. This electronic approach enables flexible machining of gears with varying pitch angles through simple program changes rather than physical hardware swaps, dramatically reducing setup time when switching between different helix angles. The movable shaping head further minimizes retooling duration by providing quick access for cutter changes without disturbing the workpiece setup.
The direct-drive workpiece table with hydraulic clamping provides the rigid, backlash-free workpiece fixturing essential for maintaining pitch accuracy during the shaping process. Axial travel of 500 mm (19.5 in) with gearing widths from 150 to 300 mm covers the range of face widths encountered in most automotive, industrial, and aerospace internal and external gear applications. An optional tool changer enables unmanned production with multiple cutters for multi-operation sequences or automatic cutter replacement when tool life is reached.
The CLC SZ Series is available with either Fanuc or Siemens controls, with dialog-based programming that allows operators to enter gear parameters directly rather than writing G-code. An optional retractable steady rest supports longer workpieces during cutting, and NC-controlled axes enable toothing geometry modification for crown corrections and lead modifications. For manufacturers producing internal ring gears, shoulder gears, and other forms that cannot be hobbed, the CLC SZ Series provides a modern, CNC-controlled shaping solution with the flexibility to handle diverse gear specifications.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Workpiece Diameter | 500 mm (19.5 in) |
| Max Module | 10 mm |
| Axial Travel | mmin |
| Gearing Width | mm |
| Shaping Spindle | Vertical, reciprocating |
| Helical Guide | Electronic (NC-controlled) |
| Workpiece Table | Direct-drive with hydraulic clamping |
| Gear Types | Spur and helical, internal and external |
| Optional Features | Tool changer, retractable steady rest, NC geometry modification |
| CNC Control | Fanuc or Siemens (dialog-based programming) |
| Module Max | mmin |
| Workpiece Dia Max | mmin |
Specifications sourced from emag.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Produces both internal and external gears — essential capability for ring gears, annular gears, and planetary gear assemblies that cannot be hobbed
- Electronic helical guide replaces mechanical lead screws, enabling rapid changeover between different helix angles through program changes alone
- 500 mm diameter and module 10 capacity covers the full range of small to medium internal and external gear shaping applications
- Movable shaping head minimizes retooling time by providing quick cutter access without disturbing workpiece setup
- Available with Fanuc or Siemens control with dialog-based gear parameter programming for reduced setup complexity
- Optional tool changer enables unmanned multi-operation shaping or automatic cutter replacement for extended production runs
Limitations
- Gear shaping is inherently slower than hobbing due to the reciprocating cutting motion — each stroke removes material from only one tooth gap
- Reciprocating shaping spindle generates vibration that limits achievable surface finish compared to continuous-cutting processes like hobbing
- Module 10 maximum excludes large-module gears used in heavy industrial, mining, and wind energy applications
- Shaping cutters wear faster than hobs for equivalent production volumes, increasing tooling cost per part on high-volume work
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Gear shaping is preferred when the gear geometry prevents hob access — most commonly for internal gears (ring gears), cluster gears with closely spaced tooth sets, and gears with shoulders or interfering contours adjacent to the teeth. Shaping is also used for very wide-face gears where hob deflection would compromise accuracy, and for blind-end internal splines where the cutter must clear the workpiece bore.
02
Yes, the electronic helical guide enables production of helical gears at any helix angle within the machine's capability range. Unlike machines with mechanical lead guides that require physical hardware changes for each helix angle, the CLC SZ Series changes helix angle through a simple program parameter change. This makes the machine particularly efficient for shops producing multiple gear specifications with different helix angles.
03
Dialog-based programming allows operators to define the gear by entering engineering parameters — module, tooth count, helix angle, pressure angle, face width — rather than writing CNC code. The control automatically generates the required axis motions, cutter speed, and feed rates. This reduces programming errors and setup time, and allows operators with gear knowledge but limited CNC programming experience to set up jobs efficiently.
04
The tool changer automatically swaps shaping cutters during the production cycle, enabling multi-operation sequences such as roughing with a wear cutter followed by finishing with a sharp cutter, or switching between different cutter geometries for compound gear forms. The tool changer also enables automatic cutter replacement when tool life is reached, supporting extended unmanned production without operator intervention.
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