Versatile Vertical Gear Cutting Machine for Medium to Large Parts
Helios’ Hera 500 CNC gear hobbing machine harnesses advanced technologies such as servo motors and a direct-drive work spindle to meet diverse parts-manufacturing needs. Its cast iron base gives plenty of stability in tough cutting conditions.
Posted: May 19, 2020
The Helios Hera 500 CNC gear hobbing machine from Helios Gear Products (South Elgin, IL), built by YG Tech, offers gear manufacturers a versatile vertical gear cutting solution for medium to large parts. Some of its advanced technology includes FANUC 0i MF CNC, servo motors, direct-drive work spindle, X-axis linear scale for accurate repeatable control of size, and automatic retract of X-axis at power failure.
“The Hera 500 suits job shops, gear box repair shops, and gearing for the construction, energy, and off-highway industries due to the wide range of part sizes and types that manufacturers can produce on the machine,” says David Harroun, vice president of Helios.
The affordably priced machine offers safety features such as electro-mechanical interlock and a splashguard door. Its cast iron base provides dampening and stability for extreme cutting conditions.
Standard features of the Hera 500 include 6 CNC axes (7 with automation), a 12-module (2.11 DP) pitch rating, and rigid construction for the most demanding jobs. Additionally, the machine has a radial travel of 360 mm (14.173 in) from 40 mm (1.574 in) to 400 mm (17.748 in) center distance between the work and hob axes, which accommodates a wide range of part sizes. The Hera 500 also uses long hobs, up to 260 mm (10.236 in) long with shifting up to 240 mm (9.448 in). The machine has a maximum tailstock position of 820 mm (32.283 in) and a maximum axial travel of 380 mm (14.960 in), so manufacturers can also cut a wide range of part lengths. Thus, this hobbing platform offers a universal solution for gear manufacturers.
Its easy-to-use dialog programming provides operators with visual examples that guide and accelerate training. Programming includes cutting one or two gears on a single workpiece using single- or two-cut cycles with radial, axial, climb, or conventional hobbing (or any combination thereof). Additionally, crowning (lead modification) and automatic shifting over a damaged hob section are included in the base package.
The YG Tech Co., Ltd., and Helios Gear Products supply the Hera line of hobbing machines in North America
