Gleason Genesis 400H CNC Gear Hobbing Machine
Key Specifications
Max Workpiece ⌀
machine type
max module
max axial slide travel
hobbing mode
chamfering deburring
Overview
The Gleason Genesis 400H is a high-performance CNC gear hobbing machine designed for dry or wet hobbing of external cylindrical spur and helical gears up to 400 mm diameter. It occupies the medium-to-large segment of Gleason's Genesis hobbing line, targeting commercial vehicle transmission manufacturers, industrial gearbox builders, and precision gear job shops requiring throughput without sacrificing quality. The Genesis platform inherits decades of Gleason hobbing expertise wrapped in a rigid, thermally stable machine structure built for consistent production across extended shifts.
The 400H's workpiece spindle delivers high torque at low speeds necessary for efficient hobbing of larger-module gears common in heavy truck and off-highway drivetrains. The hob spindle supports conventional and climb hobbing strategies, and the machine accommodates both carbide and HSS hobs with automatic hob shift cycles to maximize hob life. An integrated work arbor clamping system reduces part setup time, while the programmable coolant system enables both flood-wet and near-dry or dry hobbing depending on the workpiece material and production requirements.
Gleason's proprietary CNC control — built on a Siemens platform — provides a dedicated gear hobbing user interface that allows setup personnel to define gear geometry parameters and automatically generate the required axis motions without manual G-code programming. The control supports full 5-axis simultaneous interpolation for helical lead and crowning modifications. The machine also features electronic gearbox (EGB) functionality, synchronizing hob and workpiece rotation with software-defined gear ratios that eliminate mechanical change gears and enable rapid reconfiguration between part numbers.
New Gleason Genesis 400H machines are typically quoted between $550,000 and $900,000 depending on automation options, hob head configuration, and tooling. Competitors include the Liebherr LC 400, Pfauter P 400, and Mitsubishi GE20A. Gleason's global service network and strong North American presence make the Genesis 400H a common choice for automotive and commercial vehicle gear manufacturers standardizing on a single hobbing platform.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Machine Type | Vertical gear hobbing machine (Genesis 400H(CD), optional fly cutter chamfering) |
| Max Workpiece Diameter | 400 mm (450 mm option) |
| Max Module | 8 mm |
| Max Axial Slide Travel | 650 mm |
| Hobbing Mode | Designed for dry hobbing, with option for wet hobbing; skive hobbing of hardened gears and special profiles |
| Chamfering Deburring | Optional parallel Gleason Fly Cutter Chamfering (contour milling) |
| Tailstock | Optional CNC-controlled tailstock |
| Workholding | Gleason Workholding Solutions, hydraulic or manual |
Specifications sourced from www.gleason.com — verified 2026-08-10
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 400 mm maximum workpiece diameter handles commercial vehicle and industrial gears that exceed lighter hobbing machine capacity, reducing the need for multiple machine sizes
- Electronic gearbox eliminates mechanical change gears, enabling rapid changeover between different helix angles and gear ratios without manual gear swapping
- Gleason's dedicated CNC gear interface allows setup from gear geometry parameters alone, reducing programming time and setup error risk for job shops
- Supports both dry and wet hobbing — dry hobbing with carbide hobs reduces coolant costs and environmental disposal while maintaining acceptable tool life on steel gears
Limitations
- At $550,000–$900,000, the Genesis 400H is a significant capital investment that requires sustained production volume to justify over lighter-duty hobbing alternatives
- Carbide hob tooling for large-module gears carries high per-tool cost, and hob resharpening logistics add operational complexity compared to smaller HSS tooling programs
- The machine is limited to external cylindrical gears — internal gears, bevel gears, and worm gears require different dedicated Gleason platforms
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
The Genesis 400H supports up to module 10, which covers the majority of commercial vehicle transmission and industrial gearbox gear programs. Gears with modules above 10 typically require dedicated large-gear hobbing machines or gear milling alternatives. At module 10 and 400 mm diameter, the machine handles gears suitable for heavy truck differentials, large pump drives, and medium industrial gearboxes.
02
Yes. The Genesis 400H is engineered for both conventional wet hobbing with flood coolant and dry or near-dry hobbing with carbide hobs. Dry hobbing eliminates coolant system costs and environmental disposal concerns. It requires carbide hobs with suitable coatings (typically TiAlN or AlCrN) and careful chip management. Gleason's enclosure and chip conveyor systems are designed to handle the dry cutting chip loads produced at the 400H's cutting parameters.
03
Traditional hobbing machines use physical change gears to establish the mechanical relationship between hob rotation and workpiece rotation, which determines the gear ratio being cut. Swapping change gears is time-consuming and requires a physical gear inventory. Gleason's electronic gearbox replaces this mechanical linkage with a software-defined axis synchronization, allowing any gear ratio to be programmed numerically. Changeover between different part numbers requires only a program call rather than a physical gear change, reducing setup time from hours to minutes.
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Community Discussions
Community discussion — Old Barber Colman or gleason for gear cutting/hobbing
Community discussion — CNC lathe gear hobbing - Practical Machinist
Community discussion — Gleason Machine help needed - Practical Machinist
Community discussion — Gear Hobbing/Shaping on CNC Lathe - Practical Machinist
Community discussion — gear hobbing : r/Machinists - Reddithas anyone created a diy cnc gear hobbing machine?anybody else still use gleasons from the 60s : r/Machinistsbevel gears are cool : r/Machinists - RedditWhat does everyone see as the most trusted CNC machine brand ...Cnc in a garage? Yes. :
Community discussion — has anyone created a diy cnc gear hobbing machine?
Community discussion — anybody else still use gleasons from the 60s : r/Machinistsbevel gears are cool : r/Machinists - RedditWhat does everyone see as the most trusted CNC machine brand ...Cnc in a garage? Yes. : r/Machinists - Reddit
Community discussion — bevel gears are cool : r/Machinists - RedditWhat does everyone see as the most trusted CNC machine brand ...Cnc in a garage? Yes. : r/Machinists - Reddit
Links to community discussions. Summaries are editorial — visit the original thread for full context.
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