KAPP NILES KX 260

$650,000 - $950,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

axes

6 (X, Y, Z linear + A workpiece rotation, B grinding worm, C dressing)

max gear outside diameter

260 mm (10.24 in)

max gear module

8 mm

max face width

280 mm (11.02 in)

max helix angle

±45 degrees

grinding process

Continuous generating grinding (worm grinding wheel)

Overview

The KAPP NILES KX 260 is a mid-range CNC gear profile grinding machine for external gears up to 260 mm (10.24 in) outside diameter. It occupies the production center of KAPP NILES' KX generating grinding machine series, handling the automotive differential gears, commercial vehicle transmission gears, industrial reducer gears, and medium-module power transmission gears that form the volume core of precision gear manufacturing worldwide.

The KX 260 uses continuous generating gear grinding — engaging a dressed grinding worm against the rotating gear workpiece with synchronized six-axis CNC motion to generate the involute tooth flank profile. This process delivers superior throughput compared to profile wheel grinding for gears in the 50-260 mm OD range, while achieving DIN 4 / AGMA 11-12 quality levels in volume production.

The machine is built on a polymer concrete base with a bridge-type machine structure that provides maximum static and dynamic stiffness for the grinding forces generated by generating grinding of medium-module gears. The workpiece spindle uses direct-drive motor technology for both the primary rotation and the generating motion, eliminating the transmission error that would compromise gear quality on indirect-drive spindles.

The integrated CNC dressing spindle with diamond dressing gear maintains the grinding worm's involute and lead form throughout production. The KX 260 is available with a range of automation options including gantry loaders, pallet changers, and integration into linked grinding cell configurations.

Control runs on KN grind software on a Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl, with full gear topology programming for crowning, tip relief, end relief, and twist modifications. On-machine gear probing is available for closed-loop feedback to the grinding process.

New KX 260 machines are typically priced in the $650,000-$950,000 range. Used units occasionally appear at significant discounts.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Axes	6 (X, Y, Z linear + A workpiece rotation, B grinding worm, C dressing)
Max Gear Outside Diameter	260 mm (10.24 in)
Max Gear Module	8 mm
Max Face Width	280 mm (11.02 in)
Max Helix Angle	±45 degrees
Grinding Process	Continuous generating grinding (worm grinding wheel)
Grinding Wheel Diameter	Up to 280 mm (11.02 in)
Workpiece Spindle	Direct-drive, backlash-free
Dressing	Integrated CNC dressing spindle with diamond gear
Machine Bed	Polymer concrete (mineral casting)
Machine Dimensions	3,400 x 2,200 x 2,400 mm (133.9 x 86.6 x 94.5 in)
CNC Control	KN grind on Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl

Specifications sourced from static.machinetools.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Covers the most common gear diameter range in automotive and industrial applications — differential gears, gearbox layshafts, and industrial reducer gears all fall within the KX 260 envelope
Continuous generating process delivers the cycle times needed for automotive Tier 1 production volumes while maintaining DIN 4-5 gear quality
Module 8 capability extends the KX 260 into the industrial and commercial vehicle gear range, where generating grinding replaces slower profile grinding processes
Direct-drive workpiece spindle and 6-axis synchronized motion deliver consistent tooth-to-tooth pitch accuracy critical for gear noise reduction
Integrated dressing maintains grinding worm geometry automatically, eliminating manual wheel checks and allowing long unattended production runs
Full gear topology programming enables crowning, profile modification, and lead modification for noise-optimized gears beyond the basic involute form

Limitations

260 mm OD limit excludes larger ring gears and industrial gears above module 8 — the KX 300P or KX 500P are required for larger components
Price of $650,000-$950,000 requires volume justification — gear volumes below approximately 5,000 parts per year rarely justify a dedicated generating grinder at this price
Generating grinding of internal gears requires different tooling and setup than external gears — the KX 260 is optimized for external work
Six-axis motion synchronization means setup and process development requires skilled gear grinding technicians with specific generating grinding experience
Grinding worm replacement and dressing diamond gear are recurring consumable costs that must be included in cost-per-gear calculations

Best For

Automotive Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers grinding transmission gears, differential gears, and axle components in production volumes of 50,000+ parts per year Commercial vehicle gearbox manufacturers producing gears in module 4-8 range for truck and bus transmissions Industrial gearbox manufacturers producing medium-module precision reducer gears for robotics, servo drives, and machine tool spindles Aerospace gearbox suppliers grinding hardened steel gears for turbofan engine accessory drives and helicopter transmissions Wind turbine drivetrain manufacturers producing medium-sized planet gears and sun gears for planetary gearsets

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the KAPP NILES KX 260 differ from the KX 160?

The KX 160 handles gears up to 160 mm OD and smaller modules, while the KX 260 extends the range to 260 mm OD and module 8. The KX 260 is a larger machine with greater grinding power and a wider face width capability, making it suited for heavier gears in commercial vehicle and industrial applications that the KX 160 cannot reach. Both use the same KN grind software platform.

02 What gear quality level does the KX 260 consistently achieve in production?

In production grinding of automotive and industrial gears, the KX 260 consistently achieves DIN 3963 quality grades 4-5 (AGMA 11-12), which is the standard specification for automotive transmission gears, industrial reducer pinions, and similar precision power transmission applications. With optimized process parameters and in-process gauging, grade 3 (AGMA 12-13) is achievable on selected applications.

03 Can the KX 260 grind gears with profile modifications for noise reduction?

Yes. KN grind software supports full gear topology programming including tip relief, root relief, crowning (lead crowning), end relief, and twist modifications. These modifications are essential for noise-optimized automotive transmission gears and are programmed directly from the gear design specification. The integrated dressing system dresses the grinding worm to the required modified profile.

04 What is the KAPP NILES KX 260 price?

New KAPP NILES KX 260 machines are typically priced between $650,000 and $950,000 depending on automation level, measuring system, and software configuration. The KX 260 represents a significant capital investment appropriate for shops with defined high-volume gear grinding requirements. Contact KAPP NILES or their regional representative for a project-specific quotation.