Nidec Machine Tool Corporation, part of the Nidec Group, has introduced two new gear grinders, the ZFA160 and ZFA260, designed to meet global demand for high-precision gear machining. These new models, tailored for different gear sizes, will be launched after their debut at the Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF 2024) from November 5-10, 2024.
In response to the growing need for precise and efficient gear production in industries such as electric vehicle transmissions and robotic systems, Nidec Machine Tool is showcasing its advanced gear grinders. The machines will demonstrate their capabilities, including automated inline measurement and gear handling with the TR-20W carriage-type robot system from Takisawa Machine Tool Co., Ltd., offering a complete solution for gear machining.
The ZFA160 and ZFA260 models are designed for high-speed, precision finish machining. The ZFA160 handles gears up to 160mm in diameter, while the ZFA260 is built for gears up to 260mm. Both models deliver gear accuracy equivalent to ISO 3 (JIS N3) standards, addressing increasingly complex user demands.
These grinders feature a newly developed twin-table design, reducing non-machining time to 4 seconds—33% faster than the current ZE16C model and 50% faster than the ZE26C. Enhanced structural rigidity in the work tables, grinding stone heads, and dressing units, combined with the use of thermostable mineral cast materials, ensures consistent accuracy during high-speed production. The machines can maintain dimensional precision within a 10μm range during consecutive machining operations.
The ZFA160 and ZFA260 also include features for producing EV gears, such as simultaneous double-tooth flank bias adjustment, which minimizes flank distortion, and low-noise machining to reduce irregularities on tooth flanks. Both models also offer eco-friendly options, including a circular coolant filter that eliminates the need for sludge-laden paper filters, reducing industrial waste.
As demand rises for quieter, fuel-efficient electric vehicles and high-performance robotic systems, the global market seeks machines capable of mass-producing high-precision gears. Nidec Machine Tool, a leader in Japan’s gear machinery sector, is committed to developing advanced, automated, and environmentally conscious gear grinding solutions for global markets
