Helios Gear Products announces the Helios Hera 500 CNC gear hobbing machine for the North American market. This machine, built by YG Tech, offers gear manufacturers a versatile vertical gear cutting solution for medium to large parts. David Harroun, vice president of Helios said, “The Hera 500 suits job shops, gearbox 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.”

The Hera 500 uses advanced technology such as FANUC 0i MF CNC, servomotors, direct-drive work spindle, X-axis linear scale for accurate repeatable control of size, automatic retract of X-axis at power failure, and more. The machine offers safety features such as electro-mechanical interlock and a splashguard door. Also, the machine’s cast iron base provides superior dampening and stability for extreme cutting conditions. With an affordable price, proven domestic support from Helios, and a unique mix of technical capabilities and optional features, the Hera 500 equips manufacturers to make profitable gears for the global market.

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, this 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.

Operators enjoy the machine’s easy-to-use dialog programming 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., has constructed gear cutting machine tools since 1963, and the Hera series started in 2004, having grown to hundreds of installations around the world. Helios Gear Products brings 30+ years of experience in machines, tools, engineering, and technical support. Together, the two companies supply the Hera line of hobbing machines in North America with a proven combination of technical and engineering support.