Liebherr LC 500 CNC Gear Hobbing Machine
Key Specifications
Max Workpiece ⌀
max module
axial travel
shift distance
hob diameter
hob speed
How much does the Liebherr LC 500 CNC Gear Hobbing Machine cost?
Estimated price range
Our best estimate for a cnc gear cutting machine in this class — not a quote from Liebherr. Configuration moves it a long way.
Overview
The Liebherr LC 500 CNC Gear Hobbing Machine hobs workpieces up to 500 mm in diameter with 700 mm of axial travel and a 27 kW HH 240 hob head. Every other row is shared with the LC 300, so the useful question here is what a 500 mm part asks of the table, the loader and the tool.
Weight comes first. A steel blank near the diameter limit gets heavy quickly, and two rows set the boundaries. Maximum table load is 18 kN on the T 100 and T 170 tables and 16.5 kN on the T 400 D. The ringloader is listed for workpieces up to 100 kg. Heavier parts have to be loaded some other way, which Liebherr's table does not describe, so agree the loading method for large wheels before ordering.
The table choice follows from the part mix. Big gears carry many teeth and turn slowly under the hob, which suits the T 100 at 100 rpm or the T 170 at 170 rpm. The T 400 D, with 400 rpm and 21.8 kW of drive power, is the one for pinions with few teeth, at the cost of some load capacity. A shop that hobs both on one machine has to decide which end of the range matters more.
On the tool side the head takes hobs up to 240 mm in diameter with 320 mm of shift, and shank cutters up to 460 mm clamping length. Module is tied to the gear ratio of the head: 12 mm at 600 rpm, 9 mm at 1,500 rpm and 3.5 mm at 3,000 rpm. A counter column with 750 mm of travel and up to 13 kN of clamping force steadies long parts. The machine runs LHGearTec software.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Workpiece Diameter | 500 mm |
| Max Module | 3.50 / 9.00 / 16.00 / 12.00 mm |
| Axial Travel | 700 mm |
| Shift Distance | 320 mm |
| Hob Diameter | 240 mm |
| Hob Speed | 3,000 / 1,500 / 900 / 600 rpm |
| Table Speed | 400 / 130 rpm |
| Max Tool Clamping Length Shank Cutter | 460 mm |
| Hob Head | HH 240: drive power 27 kW; max. module 12 / 12 / 9 / 3.5 mm at speed 600 / 900 / 1500 / 3000 rpm (gear ratios 12 / 8 / 5 / 2,5) |
| Machine Table | T 100 / T 170: speed 100 / 170 rpm, max. table load 18 kN; T 400 D: speed 400 rpm, max. table load 16.5 kN, drive power 21.8 kW |
| Counter Column Travel | 750 mm |
| Counter Column Clamping Force | up to 13 kN |
| Ringloader Max Workpiece Weight | 100 kg |
| Software | LHGearTec |
Specifications sourced from liebherr.com — verified 2026-10-03
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 500 mm maximum workpiece diameter combined with 700 mm of axial travel
- Maximum table load of 18 kN on the T 100 / T 170 tables
- Three table variants are listed, at 100, 170 or 400 rpm
- Counter column with 750 mm of travel and up to 13 kN clamping force supports long parts
- The 27 kW HH 240 head takes hobs up to 240 mm in diameter
Limitations
- The ringloader handles workpieces only up to 100 kg, a weight a 500 mm blank can exceed
- Choosing the 400 rpm T 400 D table lowers the table load to 16.5 kN
- Module 12 mm is tied to the 600 rpm gear ratio; at 1,500 rpm the limit is 9 mm and at 3,000 rpm it is 3.5 mm
- Axial travel is the same 700 mm as the LC 300, so the larger diameter brings no extra length
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Liebherr lists the maximum table load as a force: 18 kN for the T 100 and T 170 tables and 16.5 kN for the T 400 D table. The figure has to cover the workpiece and its fixture together. Automatic loading by ringloader is listed separately, for workpieces up to 100 kg.
02
Maximum workpiece diameter. The LC 500 takes 500 mm and the LC 300 takes 300 mm. Liebherr lists both with 700 mm of axial travel, the 27 kW HH 240 hob head, a 240 mm hob diameter, 320 mm of shift and the same three machine tables.
03
Only if the part is light enough. The ringloader is listed with a maximum workpiece weight of 100 kg, while the machine accepts diameters up to 500 mm and table loads up to 18 kN. A large solid wheel can be well over the loader limit and still within the table limit, so check the part weight against both figures.
04
Match it to tooth count and weight. The T 100 and T 170 tables run at 100 and 170 rpm and carry 18 kN, which fits large wheels with many teeth. The T 400 D runs at 400 rpm with 21.8 kW of drive power and carries 16.5 kN, which fits lighter pinions that need a fast table.
05
Hobs up to 240 mm in diameter, with a shift distance of 320 mm. Shank cutters can be clamped up to 460 mm long. The HH 240 head that drives them has 27 kW and is listed at speeds from 600 to 3,000 rpm depending on the gear ratio.
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