Koepfer America sponsored a group of North American gear manufacturers on a technology-focused “Italian Gear Tech Tour.” The trip, which started November 16 and ended November 22, 2014, covered the latest Italian gear products to be introduced to the North American market. The group consisted of select representatives from the industry’s leading gear manufacturers who received a personal look into these companies as well as tours of several gear manufacturers, such as Corradini Giacomo Gears and OMIG Ingranaggi.

The tour took place in the northern region of Italy where the country’s heart of manufacturing is concentrated. A key stop was to C.L.C., one of Italy’s fastest growing gear machine tool manufacturers. Remarked Mr. Roberto Cervi, President of CLC, “It was a pleasure to host such a great group of gear manufacturers. We truly welcome the opportunity to share the latest technology being developed and implemented in our factory.” Of particular interest to the group was CLC’s horizontal hobbing machines, which provide new options for the U.S. market. The tour highlighted these machines’ flexible customization that allows for the hobbing of long shaft-type parts up to 3 m (118”) in length. CLC’s gear shaping machines also presented a high-quality gear cutting solution that the group found intriguing.

Another featured stop on the Italian Gear Tour was to Fubri, one of Europe’s premier gear cutting tool manufacturers. The tour included a close-up look at the many operations involved in manufacturing a gear cutting tool, such as relief grinding, gash milling, and final inspection and certification. The tour group learned about Europe’s new high-speed steel, MC90, which features a specialized, high-quality heat treatment process that provides a material competitive with carbide. Simone Guarna, head of Sales & Marketing for Fubri, noted, “I enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the tour. I think the group valued the demonstration of our factory’s wide range of capabilities in manufacturing high-quality, medium- and coarse-pitch gear cutting tools.”