The Affolter AF110 plus gear hobbing center offers versatility, precision, power, rigidity, and ease of use. It has 8 axes with a max. DP17, min. DP1270, and spindle speed up to 12,000rpm. Different automation systems for part loading and unloading are available, such as universal grippers, drum loader or robot loading, as well as options such as deburring, dry cutting, centering microscope, and oil mist aspiration.
Universal applicability
The loader system AF71 with two grippers ensures 24 hours automatic production. While a gear is in the hobbing process, the other gripper already reaches out for the next part to load. The AF110 plus can cut spur, helical, frontal, bevel, and crown gears. The machine is equipped with the in-house developed Affolter Leste CNC control, specifically designed for handling up to 12 axes.
“It is an innovative machine concept: Power, rigidity, and precision combined with universal applicability provide a means of manufacturing complex parts at the cutting edge of technology. From standard products to custom-made developments, it encompasses the full range of expertise in very stringent fields,” explains Mikael Affolter, head of sales at Affolter Technologies.
WSPS for optimized productivity
The AF110 plus can be equipped with Affolter’s worm screw power skiving (WSPS) technology. With WSPS, a high-precision worm can be finished in a cycle time of 6 seconds.
The idea behind the WSPS process is, unlike in worm hobbing, where the hob turns much faster than the workpiece, the Affolter engineers inverted the process.
“The workpiece turns extremely fast, with two new spindles up to 12,000rpm, while the cutter turns much slower. Only technology advanced machines can reach such speeds and at the same time provide the necessary stiffness,” says Managing Director Vincent Affolter.
The company sees a large demand for this WSPS technology in the medical equipment, automotive, and aerospace industries. WSPS reduces cycle time by up to four times. Manufacturers of high volume worms in these industries will greatly benefit from this new process. The WSPS technology focuses on small worms with a module up to DP17.
Affolter Technologies is represented in North America by Rotec Tools Ltd., which offers sales, service, and parts support.
“Affolter offers great machines for customers that are already making gears or customers that are considering making gears,” says Ivo Straessle, president of Rotec Tools. “The simplicity of these machines is remarkable. The user-friendly controls with step-by-step and easy-to-follow functions will simplify the gear-making process. With a relatively small investment, you can keep know-how and technology in-house.”
The Affolter AF110 plus will be showcased at Gear Expo 2017 in Columbus, Ohio, from October 24-26, 2017, Booth #537.
The new Affolter AF110 plus and the WSPS technology will open completely new opportunities for American customers. (Picture source: Affolter Technologies SA)