What to Look for When Buying a Used Reishauer
Verify the grinding spindle, dressing system, and workpiece spindle. On dual-spindle automotive models (RZ 126, RZ 160, RZ 260), both workpiece spindles must be tested for runout, clamping force, and indexing accuracy. Verify the grinding spindle across full speed range, listen for bearing noise, and check thermal stability. On all RZ machines, confirm the dressing system: the swivable C-dressing axis, diamond tools (single-rib, multi-rib full profile roll, or topological), and dressing coolant. The condition of Reishauer's diamond dressing tools directly impacts gear quality.
Test the shift grinding, onboard measuring, and thermal stability. Reishauer's continuous shift grinding constantly moves the threaded wheel sideways so cutting occurs with fresh abrasive. Verify the shift mechanism for smooth, consistent motion. On machines with onboard gear measuring, run a test cycle against a known master gear. Reishauer universal machines (RZ 410, RZ 550, RZ 1000) feature oil flow completely separated from the machine bed for extraordinary thermal stability; confirm oil management, filtration, and chiller operate.
Check the automation, clamping, and software. Reishauer machines are frequently equipped with RL2K or RL2S part loading systems with pre/post-processing, monitoring, and ejection for consistent quality. Verify loader function, pallet alignment, and cycle time. Confirm clamping devices are intact and match the workpiece family. On 4.0 series machines, verify the RSP software platform and digital connectivity. On legacy machines (RZ150, RZ362, RZ400), confirm controller version and parts availability.
Reishauer Automotive Dual-Spindle Gear Grinders
RZ 126 4.0 (Compact High-Volume)
The RZ 126 4.0 is the compact dual-spindle platform for high-volume grinding of small gears, with the same parallel-execution design philosophy and dressing technologies as the larger automotive models. Ideal for e-mobility and robotics gear production where small module and tight tolerances are critical.
RZ 160 4.0 (Automotive Standard)
The RZ 160 4.0 sets the industrial standard for automotive gear production, with a working range to 160 mm diameter, module 0.5 to 4, and dual-spindle technology that executes all axes movements in parallel. Hundreds are in the field. Options include a profile grinding head, line dressing, and onboard gear measuring.
RZ 260 4.0 (Widest Automotive Range)
The RZ 260 4.0 covers the widest range of automotive workpieces, with diameters to 260 mm and module 0.5 to 5, including car and medium-truck gears. The swivable C-dressing axis supports line dressing, multi-rib full profile roll dressing, and topological dressing.
Reishauer Universal Gear Grinders
RZ 410 4.0 (Mid-Range Universal)
The RZ 410 4.0 covers a grinding diameter range of 5 to 410 mm, module 0.5 to 10, with both continuous generating and profile grinding (tooth gap by tooth gap). The oil flow is completely separated from the machine bed for extraordinary thermal stability. Short setup times and excellent accessibility make it suited to job shops and flexible production. The RCL 410 is the loader variant.
RZ 550 4.0 & RZ 1000 4.0 (Large Universal)
The RZ 550 4.0 (diameter 5 to 550 mm) and RZ 1000 4.0 (diameter to 1,000 mm, shafts to 800 mm, workpieces to 1,200 kg) extend the universal platform to large gears, with the same thermal stability, profile grinding, onboard measuring, and dressing technologies. The RZ 1000 is well suited to aerospace, wind energy, industrial gear, and heavy commercial vehicle work.
Reishauer Legacy & Tooling
Legacy Models (RZ150, RZ362, RZ400, AZA)
Common legacy Reishauer machines on the used market include the RZ150 (first dual-spindle, 2003), the RZ362 and RZ362A (shift grinding pioneers), the RZ400 (job shop universal), and earlier AZA and ZA models. These platforms established the Reishauer process across the global automotive and gear industries.
Grinding Wheels, Dressing Tools & Clamping
Reishauer manufactures vitrified threaded grinding wheels in a fully automated plant in Pfaffnau, diamond dressing tools in-house, and precision clamping devices (since 2012). These consumables and tooling components are integral to the Reishauer process and should be verified as part of any used-machine evaluation.
How to Sell Your Used Reishauer
Reishauer machines hold strong resale value due to 50%+ global market share in gear grinding, the dominance of RZ dual-spindle platforms in automotive transmission production, and the Circle of Competence that supports every machine with OEM wheels, dressing tools, and clamping. Low-hour RZ 160, RZ 260, RZ 410, and RZ 550 with 4.0 software are in particularly high demand.
Resell CNC buys used Reishauer machines, every model and generation, nationwide.
- Contact us at (844) 478-8181 or sales@resellcnc.com.
- Free appraisal within 24 hours, no obligation.
- Accept the offer and we handle rigging, transport, and logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Used Reishauer Machines
Are used Reishauer gear grinding machines reliable?
Yes. Reishauer has built gear grinding machines in Switzerland since 1788 and holds over 50% global market share. The continuous generating process, combined with Swiss-built structures and in-house grinding wheels and dressing tools, delivers long-term accuracy and process stability. Hundreds of RZ 160 machines alone are in continuous production worldwide.
What is the Reishauer process?
The Reishauer process is continuous generating gear grinding, invented by Reishauer in 1945. A dressable threaded grinding wheel meshes with the gear workpiece in a continuous rolling motion, grinding all teeth simultaneously. Combined with shift grinding (constant sideways movement of the wheel for fresh abrasive), the process delivers the fastest, most accurate, and most cost-effective hard finishing of gears available.
What should I inspect before buying a used Reishauer?
Focus on grinding spindle and workpiece spindle condition, dressing system function (C-dressing axis, diamond tools), shift grinding mechanism, onboard gear measuring calibration, oil management and thermal stability, RL2K/RL2S loader function, clamping devices, and RSP software / controller state on 4.0 series machines.
Which Reishauer models hold their value best?
The RZ 160 and RZ 260 (automotive dual-spindle), RZ 410 and RZ 550 (universal), and RZ 1000 (large-format) hold the strongest residual values, driven by automotive, aerospace, and e-mobility demand. Call (844) 478-8181 for valuations.
How do I sell my used Reishauer?
Call (844) 478-8181 or email sales@resellcnc.com. We buy every Reishauer model nationwide. Free 24-hour appraisal.