Reishauer RZ 100

$600,000 - $900,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Max Workpiece ⌀

100 mm (3.94 in)

machine type

CNC Continuous Generating Gear Grinding Machine

max module

3 mm

min module

0.5 mm

max face width

50 mm (1.97 in)

gear types

External spur and helical gears

Overview

The Reishauer RZ 100 is a compact CNC continuous generating gear grinding machine designed for the precision finish grinding of small external spur and helical gears up to 100 mm in diameter. As the smallest production model in Reishauer's RZ grinding platform, the RZ 100 addresses the miniaturization demands of the automotive industry — particularly the growing electric vehicle drivetrain market, where reduction gearbox pinions and intermediate gears are often under 80 mm in diameter and must achieve DIN Class 3-4 quality levels for NVH performance. Reishauer, headquartered in Wallisellen, Switzerland, pioneered the continuous generating grinding process and has refined it continuously over 75+ years.

The RZ 100 employs the same continuous generating grinding principle as the larger RZ 260 and RZ 400: a threaded grinding wheel meshes with the gear workpiece with both rotating at precisely synchronized speeds, generating involute tooth flanks in a continuous motion rather than indexing tooth-by-tooth as in profile grinding. This method is inherently faster for production grinding of standard involute gears, particularly at the small diameters typical of EV and passenger car transmission gears. The RZ 100's workpiece spindle is optimized for small-diameter, high-speed operation, reaching up to 8,000 RPM to match the short cycle times achievable on small gears with modern wheel specifications.

The machine's compact footprint (approximately 2,400 x 2,200 mm floor space) makes it well-suited to dense cell-level integration in automotive production lines where floor space per machine is closely managed. The integrated ring loader handles small gears with minimal cycle time penalty; robotic loading is also supported via a standard interface. Reishauer's control system manages all aspects of the grinding cycle, integrated dressing, and in-process gauging. The RZ 100 is designed for multi-machine monitoring — a single operator can supervise multiple RZ 100 cells simultaneously using Reishauer's production monitoring software.

At approximately $600,000-$900,000, the RZ 100 is priced competitively in the small-gear production grinding segment. It competes primarily with the Kapp Niles KNe 1P, the Gleason 100GX, and the smaller models of the Liebherr LGG series. For EV drivetrain producers in particular, the RZ 100's ability to achieve DIN Class 3-4 quality on small pinion gears at cycle times under 20 seconds positions it as a strong candidate for high-volume EV gearbox production lines.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Machine Type	CNC Continuous Generating Gear Grinding Machine
Max Workpiece Diameter	100 mm (3.94 in)
Max Module	3 mm
Min Module	0.5 mm
Max Face Width	50 mm (1.97 in)
Gear Types	External spur and helical gears
Workpiece Spindle Speed	Up to 8,000 RPM
Grinding Spindle Speed	Up to 8,000 RPM
Grinding Spindle Power	15 kW (20 hp) continuous
Dressing System	Integrated diamond roller dressing
Number Of Cnc Axes	5
Loading	Integrated ring loader standard, robotic interface optional
CNC Control	Reishauer proprietary (industrial PC-based)
Cycle Time Typical	8 - 20 seconds (small EV and automotive gears under 80 mm OD)
Quality Achievable	DIN 3962 Class 3-4 / AGMA Q13
Machine Weight	5,500 kg (12,125 lb)
Machine Dimensions	2,400 x 2,200 x 2,600 mm (94 x 87 x 102 in)
Manufacturer	Reishauer
Model	AM
Power Requirement	3 kW

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Smallest RZ-series machine — compact footprint enables dense cell integration in automotive lines where floor space is at a premium
8,000 RPM work spindle optimized for small-diameter gear production, achieving 8-20 second cycle times on EV and automotive pinion gears
Continuous generating process is 3-5x faster than profile grinding at small diameters, providing the lowest per-part grinding cost at volume
DIN Class 3-4 capability meets the most demanding NVH requirements for electric vehicle reduction gears and passenger car transmission pinions
Multi-machine monitoring support allows a single operator to supervise multiple RZ 100 cells, reducing labor cost in high-volume production environments

Limitations

100 mm maximum diameter restricts the machine to small gears only — shops with wider diameter requirements need additional RZ 260 or larger models
Module range limited to 3 mm maximum — coarser-pitch gears common in industrial and commercial vehicle applications require larger RZ-series machines
Continuous generating grinding is limited to external involute gears — internal gears, bevel gears, and gears with non-involute profiles require different processes

Best For

Electric vehicle drivetrain manufacturers grinding small reduction gear pinions and intermediate gears in the 20-80 mm OD range for NVH-critical EV applications Passenger car automatic and dual-clutch transmission gear producers grinding planetary gears, sun pinions, and shift sleeve gears at volumes exceeding 200,000 parts per year E-bike and light EV gearbox producers who need DIN Class 3-4 quality on compact gear sets in high-volume production Automotive tier 1 suppliers seeking the smallest-footprint production gear grinder to fit within constrained cell layouts

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What makes the RZ 100 suited for electric vehicle gear production?

EV reduction gears require DIN Class 3-4 quality (or better) to meet NVH targets in the absence of engine noise masking. The RZ 100 achieves this quality level on small pinions (typically 30-80 mm OD) with 8-20 second cycle times using continuous generating grinding. The process also produces excellent surface finish (Ra 0.2-0.4 µm), which contributes to low noise levels in EV gearcases.

02 How does the RZ 100 differ from the RZ 160?

The RZ 160 handles gears up to 160 mm in diameter and is positioned for the broader automotive transmission gear range including larger planetary gears. The RZ 100 is the more compact model optimized specifically for small gears under 100 mm, with a higher-speed work spindle to maximize throughput on the smallest gear sizes. Both use continuous generating grinding and share Reishauer's control platform.

03 What is the typical cycle time for an electric vehicle pinion gear on the RZ 100?

A typical EV sun pinion of approximately 45 mm OD with 25 teeth and 30 mm face width in module 2 grinds in approximately 10-15 seconds on the RZ 100, including loading and unloading via the ring loader. At this cycle time, a single RZ 100 can produce approximately 200-300 parts per hour, making it economically viable for EV production lines targeting 100,000+ units per year.

04 Can the RZ 100 grind gears with profile modifications (crowning, tip relief)?

Yes. Reishauer's continuous generating process can produce flank modifications including lead and profile crowning, tip relief, root relief, and end relief through CNC-controlled grinding path modifications. The control software handles the complex coordinated axis motions required to superimpose these modifications on the basic involute form during the grinding cycle.

05 How does the RZ 100 integrate into an automated production cell?

The RZ 100 includes a built-in ring loader for standalone automatic operation. For cell integration with a FANUC, KUKA, or other robotic loading system, Reishauer provides a standardized mechanical and electrical interface. Multiple RZ 100 machines can be monitored from a central HMI station using Reishauer's production monitoring software, allowing one operator to oversee 3-5 machines simultaneously in a high-volume cell.