Description
EP-150: Thermal-Stabilised 6-Axis Vertical Hobbing for Medium-Module Production
The EP-150 CNC 6-Axis Vertical Hobbing Machine is engineered around a single production reality: gear accuracy must be maintained not just at machine warm-up, but consistently through full shift production runs. Its active thermal deformation prevention system, combined with a high-torque permanent magnet synchronous direct-drive spindle and a 600Nm direct-drive rotary table, delivers gear accuracy to Phi 150mm and module M4 that remains within tolerance from first part to last part of every shift.
EP-150 — 6-Axis Vertical CNC Hobbing Machine
The EP-150 is the precision-optimised choice for automotive transmission gear production, medium-module industrial gearbox components, and agricultural equipment drive gears — applications where Cpk targets on tooth spacing must be met across the full production shift, not just at the start. The mirror-finish stainless steel chip conveyor, standard on the EP-150, reduces scheduled maintenance intervals compared to painted alternatives while maintaining a cleaner machining environment.
Explore the full EP-series CNC Hobbing Machine range or submit your gear specification directly via the application enquiry page.
Engineering Differentiators
Active Thermal Deformation Prevention
Monitors machine structure temperature gradients and applies real-time Z-axis positional compensation throughout the production run. Eliminates the shift-to-shift tooth spacing drift that previously required manual operator re-zeroing — directly supporting Cpk targets in automotive transmission supply chains.
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Direct-Drive Spindle
High-torque permanent magnet synchronous B-axis spindle rated at S1=115Nm, S3=143Nm at up to 2500rpm. The direct-drive eliminates speed ripple from belt or gear transmission — a common source of periodic tooth profile deviation in conventionally driven machines.
600Nm Direct-Drive Rotary Table
C-axis rotary table rated at 600Nm with Phi 150mm clamping surface and 600rpm maximum speed. Ten times the table torque of the EP-100, providing the cutting force resistance needed for M4 gears in alloy steel without table slip during heavy or interrupted cuts.
Mirror Stainless Steel Chip Conveyor
Standard mirror-finish stainless steel chip conveyor reduces chip adhesion, coolant retention, and bacterial growth compared to painted alternatives. In multi-shift automotive production, this reduces scheduled maintenance intervals and simplifies ISO cleaning requirements.
FANUC 0i-MF Plus with Electronic Gearbox
Six-axis FANUC 0i-MF Plus control with full electronic gearbox synchronisation for helical gear generation across the complete ±45° helix angle range — no physical change gears, no indexing errors, parametric changeover between gear variants.
Vertical Workpiece Orientation
Vertical orientation allows chips to fall clear of the cutting zone by gravity, reducing recutting, extending hob life, and minimising thermal contribution of accumulated chips — important for M4 gear production where chip volume per pass is substantially higher than fine-pitch applications.
EP-150 Axis Drive Components
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Max Workpiece Diameter | Phi 150mm |
| Max Module | M4 |
| Max Helix Angle | +45° |
| C-Axis Table Diameter | Phi 150mm |
| Spindle Nose Taper | BT#40 |
| Max Hob Size (OD x L) | Phi 120mm x 200mm |
| Max Hob Shift Travel | 180mm |
| Hob Spindle Speed (B-axis) | 2500rpm | S1=115Nm, S3=143Nm |
| Table Speed (C-axis) | 600rpm | Direct drive 600Nm |
| Radial Feed (X-axis) | Max 12000mm/min | Travel 180mm (15–195mm) |
| Tangential Feed (Y-axis) | Max 4000mm/min | Travel 180mm (0–180mm) |
| Axial Feed (Z-axis) | Max 12000mm/min | Travel 235mm (1650–4400mm) |
| Helix Angle (A-axis) | Max 720 deg/min | Range +45° |
| Hydraulic Tailstock (U-axis) | Max 6000mm/min | Travel 250mm (130–380mm) |
| CNC System | FANUC 0i-MF Plus |
| Total Power | 30 KVA |
| Machine Footprint (L x W x H) | 3600 x 3200 x 2480mm (incl. external layout) |
| Machine Weight | Approx. 8.0 ton |
EP-150 Full System Layout
Standard Configuration & Optional Accessories
Standard Equipment
- B/C axis direct-drive motors with rotation encoders
- Hydraulic tailstock
- Machine body cleaning and mixing device
- Tooling pressure regulator
- Main spindle motor backup protection
- Scraper-type chip conveyor system
- Internal circulation cooling device
- Oil-mist centrifugal collector
- Hydraulic system
- Automatic lubrication system
- Pneumatic device
- Control cabinet with air conditioning
- Three-colour indicator tower light
- Mirror stainless steel chip conveyor design
Optional Accessories
- Dry cutting function
- Deburring and chamfering device
- Secondary tool-setting device
- Enhanced hydraulic tailstock
- Oil-mist electrostatic collector
- High-efficiency dry chip collector
- Magnetic proximity sensing device
- Cutting liquid cooling system
- B-type motor protection module
- Fixture and chuck
- Hob cutting tools
- Rotary mechanical arm
- Automatic loading/unloading system
- X-axis guideway strong clamping system
Industry Applications
Automotive Transmission Gears
M3 to M4 helical gears for dual-clutch transmissions, 6-speed and 8-speed passenger car gearboxes, and hybrid drive systems. The thermal compensation maintains tooth spacing consistency across full production shifts, directly supporting Cpk targets at Tier-1 supply volumes.
Industrial Gearbox Components
Pinions, sun gears, and planet gears for precision industrial gearboxes in conveying, packaging, and material handling systems. The 600Nm C-axis torque handles the cutting forces of M4 alloy steel gears without table slip.
Agricultural & Construction Equipment
Gears for tractor PTO drives, combine harvester transmissions, and construction equipment final drives at module M2.5 to M4. The vertical configuration facilitates fixture mounting of heavier blanks common in these applications.
Marine Auxiliary Drive Systems
Auxiliary drive gears and winch gear sets in stainless and nickel-alloy steels. The high B-axis torque handles the elevated cutting forces of corrosion-resistant alloys without spindle speed variation.
EP-150A Automation Configuration
Related Products
Customer Reviews & Case Studies
South Korea — Automotive Transmission Supplier — Quality Assurance Manager
“We run the EP-150 on M3.5 helical gears for a dual-clutch transmission application. Before this machine, our night shift produced parts with slightly larger tooth spacing than day shift — classic thermal drift. The EP-150’s thermal compensation eliminated that variation completely. Our Cpk on base tangent length went from 1.15 to 1.72 across shifts. That was the deciding factor in keeping the programme in-house.”
Application: M3.5 helical gears for DCT | Challenge solved: Shift-to-shift thermal drift
Italy — Industrial Gearbox Manufacturer — Production Director
“Our product mix covers M2 to M4 across sixteen gear variants. What convinced us on the EP-150 was the combination of large hob shift travel and the electronic gearbox — we can run an entire 8-hour shift without changing hobs by programming the hob shift strategy. Changeover between gear variants is parameter programming, not physical setup. Machine utilisation improved from 68% to 84% after installation.”
Application: M2–M4 industrial gearbox pinions | Variants: 16 gear types | OEE: 68% → 84%
India — Agricultural Equipment Manufacturer — Manufacturing Technology Lead
“We produce M4 spur gears for tractor PTO transmissions in EN353 alloy steel. Our previous machine had table slip on heavy interrupted cuts, destroying DIN class consistency. The EP-150 has run without a single table slip event in fourteen months. We also use the X-axis strong clamping option which has been excellent for our fixture design.”
Application: M4 PTO spur gears | Material: EN353 | Feature: X-axis strong clamping
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum module and workpiece size for the EP-150?
The EP-150 has a maximum workpiece diameter of Phi 150mm and maximum module M4. The direct-drive C-axis table has a clamping diameter of Phi 150mm rated at 600Nm. For larger workpieces up to Phi 200mm x M6, the EP-200 is the next step in the range.
How does the thermal deformation prevention system work in practice?
Temperature sensors embedded in the machine structure monitor thermal gradients as the machine warms up during production. The control calculates resulting positional offset and applies real-time compensation to Z-axis positioning, maintaining the cutting point within tolerance throughout the shift without manual re-zeroing.
How does the EP-150 differ from the EP-100?
The EP-100 is a 7-axis horizontal machine for workpieces to Phi 100mm x M3 with BT#30 hob spindle and C-axis torque of 60Nm. The EP-150 is a 6-axis vertical machine for Phi 150mm x M4 with BT#40 spindle, C-axis torque of 600Nm, thermal deformation prevention, and mirror stainless steel chip conveyor as standard.
Can the EP-150 be integrated into an automated cell?
Yes. The EP-150 supports an optional rotary mechanical arm and automatic loading/unloading system for unmanned cell operation. The FANUC 0i-MF Plus control provides M-code and I/O interfaces for robot and transfer system integration.
What site preparation does the EP-150 require?
Floor footprint 3600 x 3200mm, height clearance 2480mm, 30 KVA 3-phase AC, reinforced concrete foundation for 8.0 ton machine weight. Compressed air required for pneumatic functions. Foundation drawings available on request via the contact page.
Discuss the EP-150 with Our Application Engineers
Share your gear drawings, module range, required accuracy class, and annual production volume. Our engineers will provide a configuration recommendation matched to your application — no obligation. We support manufacturers in 50+ countries throughout the machine lifecycle.
