Clamping units for gears with short delivery times at low costs – due to the high level of individualization of clamping devices, these demands were often difficult to reconcile. That’s now a thing of the past. The segment clamping arbor SECLA from Liebherr is an innovative, inexpensive standard solution with short delivery times for a maximum application range in gear manufacturing machining.

Until a few years ago, clamping devices for gear manufacturing machining were manufactured individually. This meant that if anything broke, the machine stood still for a long time - depending on the supplier’s capacity - since there were no standardized spare parts. For the team led by Dieter Lange, head of order construction, this was an untenable situation: “We wanted a solution which would reduce customer downtimes as far as possible. With SECLA, we have developed a solution with defined interfaces which is always available in stock at a consistent quality, and can be delivered correspondingly quickly, and which is suitable for all Liebherr technologies.” The greatest challenge for development was the large range of technologies: the clamping arbor supports dry and wet machining, permits every conceivable interfering contour and nonetheless demonstrates very high rigidity. 

The project began four years ago with the initial desire for a standardized main body. However, in the course of development, an even greater amount of standardization was achieved. Defined interfaces simplify tooling and retooling. Numerous experiments, from material analyses to strain and endurance tests, successfully proved the quality and durability of the clamping unit. “A very high concentricity enables us to achieve a new dimension of gear quality”, reports Florian Schmölz, project manager. “Older machines and machines made by other manufacturers can also be equipped with the new SECLA. “This innovation can therefore be deployed very flexibly.” 

“Then there are a number of functionalities which we have developed over the years in various special solutions,” adds Stefan Breyer, a member of the clamping device development team. The constructive details include the perfected integrated rinsing solution (from size 3). This enables the clamping device to be permanently cooled by air or oil and cleaned at the same time. Both these things ensure that it will work well over a longer service life. The slender design and intelligent geometry make SECLA suitable for a maximum range of applications, without any loss of rigidity. It enables hobbing, shaping, skiving, grinding and ChamferCut processes in one clamping fixture – and for a majority of common gear sizes.