Gear Smart™ Hobbers cut cycle times 65%.

The change from manual machines to CNC-controlled gear hobbers is a very rewarding experience for the Chicago Gear • D. O. James Corporation of Chicago, Illinois. Ron Leohr, Plant Manager of the company, puts it this way, "It's a difference of night and day for us--both in better performance and in easier operation."

"The Drake machines are more efficient and the final product is of higher quality. This makes our product more competitive. Since we can produce a higher quality product compared to our old machines, Drake has opened up new markets for us. We expect this to result in higher profit levels."

Old hands with new machines.
D. O. James has serviced the heavy industry marketplace since 1888. As Chicago Gear • D. O. James, the company offers products ranging from large, special-design gearing and gear boxes to small-production-run gearing. Their products service virtually every phase of industry from primary steel to materials processing to major market OEMs.
The two companies merged in 1982 and were bought by Wayne Wellman in 1985. Two years ago they bought their first Drake Gear Hobber and they now have a second on the floor.

Friendly as all get out.
Plant Manager Ron Leohr is particularly impressed with the user friendliness of their Drake Hobber. He states, "The controls are easy to use and the instructions are easy to follow. The operator just enters the workpiece dimensions and the menu-driven programs take it from there. One of our operators was running it perfectly within two days of its arrival."

Smart as a whip.
Like all Drake Gear Hobbers, the Chicago Gear • D. O. James machine arrived Gear Smart--pre-programmed to their specific applications and already pre-tested, proven and readied for start-up.

Because of this feature, the company was producing high quality gears from the first day and was up to full speed on the second day.(Subhead)

The results are favorable.
The company not only cut their cycle times by 60-65%, they also
cut set-up times in half--all while raising their AGMA levels from class 8 to class 10. Ron Leohr adds, "Our Drake gives us higher productivity, enabling us to improve quality as well as delivery times. Because of this, we're very cost competitive and our customers are extremely satisfied with their gears."

The GS:H machine has impressed GearTec management with the quality of its machining, as well as the ease and speed of changeover and setup. The machine is used to cut helical gears from 10" to 24 " in diameter, typically from 4150 hardened steel with a Brinnell of 330 to 360. DP ranges are from 7 to 2-1/2; typical part cycle time is four to five hours. Hobs used are double A HSS TiN coated.

Responsive service.
Drake's service arrangements are also a big selling point for Chicago Gear • D. O. James Corp. Ron Leohr states, "Drake gives us complete software and field support. They guarantee their machine's performance and provide a complete on-site checkup after a year's production."

The operator's choice.
One of the company's top operators, Roberto Cintron, likes working on the Drake Hobber far more than any other machine in the shop. In fact, he'll wait for it rather than using another hobber.

He says, "The set-up is much faster, so the job gets done faster. It's much easier to use and the final result is quality gears produced right the first time."