Liebherr LC 180

$400,000 - $650,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

workpiece diameter max

180 mm (7.09 in)

module range

0.5 - 4 mm

max face width

140 mm (5.51 in)

max helix angle

45°

hob spindle speed

4,000 RPM

hob spindle power

22 kW (29.5 hp)

Overview

The Liebherr LC 180 is a CNC gear hobbing machine designed for high-volume production of spur and helical gears up to 180 mm in diameter. Built by Liebherr-Verzahntechnik in Kempten, Germany — one of the world's leading gear machine manufacturers — the LC 180 represents the compact end of Liebherr's hobbing lineup, optimized for automotive transmission gears and small-to-medium industrial gears where cycle time and throughput drive the economics.

The machine handles modules from 0.5 to 4 mm with a maximum face width of 140 mm and helix angles up to 45 degrees. The hob spindle runs at up to 4,000 RPM with 22 kW of power, enabling aggressive dry-cut hobbing with carbide hobs that eliminates cutting fluid entirely. Dry hobbing reduces per-part costs by removing coolant procurement, disposal, and maintenance from the equation — a significant advantage in high-volume automotive production where every fraction of a cent per part matters.

The LC 180 features Liebherr's chamfering and deburring capability integrated into the hobbing cycle. The ChamferCut process produces defined chamfer geometries on gear teeth without the secondary burrs that conventional chamfering methods create. This eliminates a separate deburring operation downstream, saving both cycle time and capital equipment cost. The Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl control runs Liebherr's proprietary LHGearTec software for gear-specific programming, in-process measurement, and closed-loop quality feedback.

Competing with the Gleason Genesis 130GMS, EMAG Koepfer K160, and Mitsubishi GE15A, the Liebherr LC 180 positions itself on German engineering quality, the ChamferCut advantage, and Liebherr's deep applications expertise in gear manufacturing. New LC 180 machines typically price between $400,000 and $650,000, placing them at the premium end of the small gear hobbing market. For automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers producing transmission and differential gears at scale, the LC 180 delivers the throughput, quality, and process integration that justify the investment.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Workpiece Diameter Max	180 mm (7.09 in)
Module Range	0.5 - 4 mm
Max Face Width	140 mm (5.51 in)
Max Helix Angle	45°
Hob Spindle Speed	4,000 RPM
Hob Spindle Power	22 kW (29.5 hp)
Hobbing Method	Dry-cut capable (wet optional)
Chamfering	ChamferCut process integrated
Axes	6 CNC axes
Loading	Integrated automation / ring loader
CNC Control	Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl
Software	LHGearTec
Machine Weight	8,500 kg (18,739 lb)

Specifications sourced from liebherr.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

ChamferCut process produces clean, defined chamfers without secondary burrs, eliminating a separate deburring operation and reducing total cycle time
Dry-cut hobbing capability with carbide hobs removes coolant costs entirely — no cutting fluid procurement, disposal, filtration, or maintenance
22 kW hob spindle at 4,000 RPM enables aggressive cutting parameters for short cycle times in high-volume production
LHGearTec software provides gear-specific programming with built-in hobbing process knowledge, reducing setup time and programming errors
Liebherr's deep gear manufacturing expertise backed by decades of applications engineering support for optimizing gear hobbing processes
Integrated automation with ring loader or gantry loading enables unattended production for lights-out manufacturing

Limitations

180 mm maximum workpiece diameter limits the machine to small-to-medium gears — larger transmission and industrial gears require Liebherr's LC 300 or LC 500
Module range of 0.5-4 mm excludes coarser-pitch gears above module 4, narrowing the machine to fine and medium-pitch applications
$400K-$650K is premium pricing for a 180mm gear hobber — shops with lower volume requirements may find the investment difficult to justify
Liebherr's proprietary LHGearTec software requires dedicated training and creates some vendor dependency for programming and process optimization

Best For

Automotive transmission manufacturers producing spur and helical gears at high volumes where cycle time and dry-cut cost reduction directly impact profitability Tier 1 automotive suppliers running production lines for differential, transfer case, and planetary gear sets under 180 mm diameter E-mobility and EV powertrain manufacturers producing high-precision reduction gears for electric drive units where noise quality (NVH) demands tight tolerances Industrial gear manufacturers producing small precision gears for robotics, servo drives, and power transmission equipment Shops looking to eliminate downstream deburring operations through Liebherr's integrated ChamferCut technology

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is ChamferCut and why is it important?

ChamferCut is Liebherr's patented chamfering process that creates precisely defined chamfer geometries on gear teeth. Unlike conventional chamfering methods that push material into secondary burrs (which then require additional deburring), ChamferCut produces clean chamfers through a cutting process. This eliminates the need for a separate deburring operation downstream, saving both cycle time and capital equipment. The chamfer geometry is programmable and consistent part-to-part.

02 What is dry-cut hobbing and what are the benefits?

Dry-cut hobbing uses carbide hobs without cutting fluid — the heat is evacuated through the chips rather than coolant. Benefits include eliminating coolant procurement costs ($5,000-$15,000/year), disposal costs, filtration system maintenance, and the environmental impact of cutting fluid. Dry-cut also produces cleaner chips for easier recycling. The LC 180 can also run wet if needed for specific materials or applications.

03 How does the Liebherr LC 180 compare to the Gleason Genesis 130GMS?

Both are high-volume gear hobbing machines for automotive-size gears. The Liebherr LC 180 offers a larger 180mm capacity vs. 130mm on the Genesis, plus the ChamferCut advantage. The Gleason Genesis emphasizes ultra-fast cycle times with its integrated design. Liebherr's LHGearTec software is considered more intuitive by many users. Price points are comparable. Choose based on capacity requirements and your existing Liebherr/Gleason ecosystem.

04 What does a Liebherr LC 180 cost?

New Liebherr LC 180 machines price between $400,000 and $650,000 depending on configuration — the wide range reflects options like ChamferCut integration, automation type (ring loader vs. gantry), measurement systems, and software packages. A base hobbing-only machine sits at the lower end; a fully integrated hobbing-plus-chamfering cell with automation and in-process measurement approaches the upper end.

05 Can the LC 180 be integrated into a production line?

Yes. The LC 180 is designed for production line integration with standardized automation interfaces, ring loaders, and gantry loading systems. Liebherr offers complete gear manufacturing cells combining hobbing (LC series), shaping, shaving, and grinding (LCS series) with integrated part handling. The Siemens 840D sl control supports all common line communication protocols.

06 What gear quality does the LC 180 achieve?

As a hobbing machine, the LC 180 typically achieves DIN 7-9 quality (AGMA 8-10) in soft hobbing before heat treatment. After heat treatment and finish grinding on a Liebherr LCS or similar gear grinder, final quality reaches DIN 3-5 (AGMA 12-14). The hobbing accuracy of the LC 180 is critical because a well-hobbed gear requires less stock removal in finish grinding, reducing grinding cycle time and wheel wear.