Liebherr LC 280 CNC Gear Hobbing Machine
Key Specifications
Max Workpiece Diameter
Max Module
Max Face Width
Cutter Diameter
Spindle Power
Control System
Overview
The Liebherr LC 280 is a CNC gear hobbing machine designed for the high-precision production of cylindrical gears — spur, helical, and worm wheel profiles — with workpiece diameters up to 280 mm. As a mid-range machine in Liebherr's LC series, it targets automotive tier-1 suppliers, heavy-equipment gear manufacturers, and precision job shops that require consistent DIN class 5–7 output at competitive cycle times without the floor space demands of larger hobbing centers.
The LC 280 runs on a Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl control integrated with Liebherr's GearPro software, which handles gear geometry input, automatic hob shift calculations, and cutting strategy optimization. The direct-drive motor on the hob spindle allows climb and conventional hobbing at spindle speeds up to 4,000 rpm, enabling both high-speed finish hobbing with carbide hobs and conventional roughing with HSS tooling in a single setup where required.
Liebherr's patented radial and tangential hob shift management system — controlled automatically by GearPro — maximizes hob life by distributing tool wear evenly across cutting teeth. This makes the LC 280 particularly economical for high-volume production runs where tooling cost per part is a key metric. The thermally symmetrical machine body and water-cooled spindle bearings ensure dimensional stability during extended shifts without manual thermal compensation.
For automation, the LC 280 is designed to accept Liebherr's own robot and gantry loading systems, integrating directly into production cells with conveyor-based workpiece handling. Optional on-machine probing enables post-process gear inspection without removing the workpiece, and the compact footprint — standard at under 7 square meters — makes it compatible with tight production floor layouts common in high-volume automotive plants.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Workpiece Diameter | 280 mm (11 in) |
| Max Module | 8 mm |
| Max Face Width | 280 mm (11 in) |
| Cutter Diameter | Up to 200 mm |
| Spindle Power | 26 kW (34.9 hp) |
| Control System | Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl with Liebherr GearPro |
| Repeatability | ±2 µm |
| Machine Weight | Approx. 11,000 kg (24,250 lb) |
Specifications sourced from liebherr.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Automatic hob shift management maximizes tool life and reduces cost per part
- Compact footprint under 7 m² suits dense automotive production floor layouts
- Direct-drive hob spindle supports both carbide high-speed and HSS conventional hobbing
- Native integration with Liebherr robot and gantry automation systems
Limitations
- 280 mm workpiece limit excludes large industrial and heavy-equipment gear production
- GearPro software requires Liebherr training for full utilization of optimization features
- Premium European pricing compared to Asian competitors at equivalent capacities
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Yes. With appropriate tooling and the skiving cycle enabled in GearPro, the LC 280 can perform power skiving of internal gears, expanding its capability beyond conventional external gear hobbing for applications requiring internal gear features.
02
Liebherr's automatic hob shift system incrementally moves the hob axially during production to distribute cutting wear evenly across all teeth. This extends hob life significantly — often by 30–50% — which is critical for reducing tooling cost per part in high-volume automotive gear production.
03
Yes, the LC 280 supports dry hobbing with coated carbide hobs and includes an integrated chip and mist extraction system suited for dry cutting environments. Wet hobbing with cutting oil or water-soluble coolant is also fully supported.
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Community Discussions
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Pricing and buying discussion — gear hobbing : r/Machinists - RedditMachining - Reddithas anyone created a diy cnc gear hobbing machine?Anyone hobbing gears? : r/machining - RedditHow difficult is gear making? : r/Machinists - RedditDouble Sided gear hobbing machine : r/Machinists - RedditWhere to f
Community discussion — has anyone created a diy cnc gear hobbing machine?
Community discussion — Anyone hobbing gears? : r/machining - Reddit
Community discussion — How difficult is gear making? : r/Machinists - Reddit
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