Liebherr LH 150

$250,000 - $400,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Max Workpiece ⌀

150 mm (5.91 in)

max module

4 mm

min module

0.3 mm

max face width

120 mm (4.72 in)

max helix angle

±45°

hob diameter

Up to 90 mm (3.54 in)

Overview

The Liebherr LH 150 is a compact CNC gear hobbing machine designed for high-speed, high-precision production of small spur gears, helical gears, worm gears, and splined shafts with a maximum workpiece diameter of 150 mm (5.91 in). Manufactured by Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH in Kempten, Germany, the LH 150 targets automotive component suppliers, precision gearbox manufacturers, tool and instrument makers, and contract gear shops producing small-module gears in high volumes. The machine's compact footprint — one of the smallest in Liebherr's hobbing range — makes it ideal for cell-based manufacturing layouts and for shops with limited floor space that still require industrial-grade hobbing capability.

Liebherr has engineered the LH 150 around a short kinematic chain to maximize rigidity and thermal stability. The hob spindle is integrated directly into a compact, thermally symmetric spindle housing without intermediate gearboxes, reducing the sources of positional error and heat generation. Direct-drive torque motors on the hob and workpiece spindles eliminate mechanical power transmission components entirely, providing fast acceleration, high repeatability, and zero backlash axis response. The machine supports dry hobbing with coated carbide hobs as well as wet hobbing with oil or emulsion coolant for materials requiring flood cooling.

The LH 150 is equipped with Liebherr's WOP-G (Workshop Oriented Programming for Gear Cutting) operator interface running on a Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl platform. WOP-G allows operators to define gear jobs by entering gear parameters in engineering units — module, tooth count, helix angle, pressure angle — rather than writing G-code, reducing setup time and the potential for input errors. The NC program generation, tool path calculation, and axis synchronization are handled internally. On-screen guidance and job management tools make the LH 150 accessible to operators with general CNC skills who are new to gear hobbing, without sacrificing the advanced process control required by experienced gear technologists.

The LH 150's automation architecture supports integration with Liebherr's own PHS (Pallet Handling System) compact automation units and with third-party pick-and-place robots for unmanned production. A standard interface for gantry loaders and collaborative robot integration is provided, with the machine's control managing handshake signals and workpiece presence confirmation. The high workpiece spindle speed (up to 1,000 RPM) enables very short cycle times on small-module gears, and with automation the LH 150 can sustain high output rates on automotive fine-pitch gear families with minimal operator attendance.

The LH 150 competes with the Gleason Genesis 130H, Mitsubishi GE10A, and Nachi ZE series hobbers in the small-capacity segment. New LH 150 machines are priced between $250,000 and $400,000 depending on automation package and tooling configuration. The combination of German precision engineering, direct-drive axes, WOP-G operator software, and compact footprint makes the LH 150 a strong choice for automotive suppliers and precision gear producers seeking a reliable, low-maintenance small hobber with strong application support from Liebherr's gear technology team.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Workpiece Diameter	150 mm (5.91 in)
Max Module	4 mm
Min Module	0.3 mm
Max Face Width	120 mm (4.72 in)
Max Helix Angle	±45°
Hob Diameter	Up to 90 mm (3.54 in)
Hob Length	Up to 120 mm (4.72 in)
Hob Spindle Speed	Up to 6,000 RPM
Workpiece Spindle Speed	Up to 1,000 RPM
Axes	6 CNC axes
CNC Control	Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl with WOP-G
Spindle Drive	Direct-drive torque motors (hob and workpiece)
Dry Cutting	Supported
Machine Weight	4,500 kg (9,921 lb)
Gear Quality	DIN 5–7

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Direct-drive torque motors on both hob and workpiece spindles eliminate backlash and mechanical transmission losses, providing fast acceleration, high repeatability, and low maintenance compared to gearbox-driven spindles
Compact footprint and light machine weight (4,500 kg) simplify installation and enable cell-based manufacturing layouts, valuable for automotive tier-1 suppliers maximizing floor space efficiency
High workpiece spindle speed up to 1,000 RPM enables very short cycle times on small-module automotive fine-pitch gears, supporting high-throughput production on lean manufacturing schedules
WOP-G operator interface reduces setup time and programming skill barrier, enabling job changeovers without specialized gear programming expertise and reducing downtime between part families
Dry hobbing support with carbide hobs eliminates coolant handling costs and environmental compliance burdens, important for automotive suppliers operating under strict waste management regulations
Liebherr-Verzahntechnik's focused expertise in gear cutting technology provides strong application engineering support for process optimization, tooling selection, and troubleshooting

Limitations

150 mm maximum diameter restricts the LH 150 to very small gears — automotive fine-pitch, instrument gears, and small industrial gears only; medium and large gears require larger machines
Maximum module of 4 mm limits the machine to fine and medium pitch gears; coarser gears for industrial gearboxes require higher-capacity hobbers in the Liebherr LC series
As a compact, specialized machine, the LH 150 offers limited versatility outside its intended small-gear niche — shops with diverse gear sizes gain more from a mid-capacity hobber

Best For

Automotive fine-pitch gear producers manufacturing small spur and helical gears for instrument clusters, fuel injection pump drives, oil pump drives, and auxiliary gear trains in high-volume automotive production Precision gearbox and servo drive manufacturers producing small helical gears and worm gears for robot reducers, servo actuators, and motion control gearheads Medical and precision instrument manufacturers producing very small module gears (module 0.3–1.5) for instruments, optical equipment, and specialized mechatronic devices Contract gear shops specializing in small-to-medium volume production of fine-pitch gears for diverse industrial customers needing a modern, automated small hobber with short changeover times

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the minimum module the Liebherr LH 150 can cut?

The LH 150 can cut gears down to module 0.3 mm (equivalent to approximately 84 diametral pitch in the inch system), making it capable of producing very fine pitch gears for precision instruments, medical devices, and servo drives. Fine-pitch hobbing at module 0.3–1.0 requires careful attention to hob geometry, cutting speed, and feed to achieve the surface quality and profile accuracy required for these applications. Liebherr's gear technology team can advise on tooling and process parameters for fine-pitch applications.

02 Does the LH 150 support automation for unmanned production?

Yes, the LH 150 includes a standard automation interface for integration with Liebherr's PHS compact pallet handling systems, pick-and-place units, and third-party collaborative robots. The machine control manages workpiece loading confirmation and handshake signals, enabling fully automated unmanned production runs of high-volume small gear families. Liebherr's applications team can assist with automation cell design and integration for specific part families and production schedules.

03 What advantages does direct-drive technology provide over gearbox-driven spindles?

Direct-drive torque motors on the LH 150 eliminate the gearbox, belts, and couplings found in conventional hobbing machines. Benefits include zero backlash in the spindle drive train (improving gear pitch accuracy), faster acceleration and deceleration (shorter cycle times), lower vibration transmission to the cutting zone (better surface finish), and significantly reduced maintenance requirements since there are no gears, belts, or bearings in the power transmission path. Direct-drive technology also enables more precise speed control at very low RPMs for slow-feed hobbing operations.

04 How does the LH 150 compare to the Gleason Genesis 130H?

The Liebherr LH 150 and Gleason Genesis 130H are both compact CNC hobbers targeting small-gear automotive and precision applications. The Genesis 130H has a maximum workpiece diameter of 130 mm vs. 150 mm for the LH 150. Both use direct-drive technology and support dry hobbing. Liebherr WOP-G and Gleason GEMS are both operator-friendly parameter-entry interfaces. Liebherr has a stronger presence in European automotive supply chains; Gleason is dominant in North American and Asian automotive markets. Shops with existing relationships with either brand's service and applications network typically prefer that brand.

05 Can the LH 150 cut worm gears?

Yes, the LH 150 can cut cylindrical worm gears (the worm wheel) using a fly cutter or worm gear hob, provided the workpiece diameter and module are within the machine's capacity range. The maximum workpiece diameter of 150 mm and maximum module of 4 mm limit the size of worm gears producible on the LH 150 to small-to-medium worm wheel sets. The machine's direct-drive workpiece spindle and precise radial feed axis provide the accuracy required for worm gear cutting, where the conjugate relationship between worm and worm wheel demands precise indexing and axial feed synchronization.