Zahnradfabrik

A Zahnradfabrik, literally “gear factory” in German, is a facility that designs, manufactures, and tests gears and gear systems for machinery and vehicles. It encompasses the production of individual gears as well as assembled gear trains and power transmissions.

Typical products include spur gears, helical gears, bevel gears, worm gears, planetary gear sets, gear racks, and assembled gearboxes. These components are used in a wide range of applications, from industrial machinery to automotive transmissions and consumer electronics, where precise motion and torque are required.

Manufacturing methods cover gear cutting (hobbing, shaping, broaching), milling and grinding, gear shaving, and finishing processes such as heat treating, surface hardening, and coating. Modern Zahnradfabriken employ computer numerical control (CNC) machines, precision metrology, and sometimes additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping or complex geometries. Material options include steel alloys, cast iron, bronzes, plastics, and composite materials, selected for strength, wear resistance, and cost.

Gears are produced to strict tolerances and geometry specifications. Standards and conventions commonly used include ISO 286 for tolerances and terms such as module, pitch, and pressure angle. Quality management systems, often aligned with ISO 9001, ensure consistent performance and traceability throughout production.

Zahnradfabriken serve sectors such as automotive, industrial automation, wind energy, and robotics. The industry emphasizes efficiency, reliability, and compact design, while integrating traditional machine tools with modern processes and digital manufacturing workflows.