Gear Honing Machine Market By Machine Type (Horizontal Gear Honing Machines, Vertical Gear Honing Machines); By Automation Level (CNC-Controlled Machines, Semi-Automatic Machines, Manual Machines); By Application (Automotive Industry, Aerospace and Defense, Industrial Machinery, Energy Sector, Other Applications); By End User (Gear Manufacturers, OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), Maintenance and Repair Facilities); By Geography, Segment revenue estimation, Forecast, 2024–2032.

The size of the gear honing machine market worldwide in 2023 was USD 1.5 billion and is expected to rise to approximately USD 2.4 billion at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period (2024-2030). The increase is due to rising automotive and industrial machinery industries, improvement in manufacturing technologies, and integration of Industry 4.0 in the machining processes.

 

Gear honing machines are precision engineering tools that increase gear accuracy and efficiency, thereby increasing the gear’s life span. These machines are mainly used in automotive, aerospace, heavy machinery, and general industries. Gear honing enhances the accuracy of the gears, reduces noise, and prolongs the useful life of the component; hence, it plays an important role in the manufacturing of gears.

 

Market Drivers

Rising Demand for Precision Gears in the Automotive Industry: Due to its application in high-performance vehicles, precision gear demand has grown, especially with the rising usage of electric vehicles. Gear honing machines help create accurate surface finish and noise control in vehicles’ gear systems. The Revenue demands of EVs expanded by 40% in 2023, which individually drove the enhancement of gear manufacturing equipment. Example: In 2023, gear honing machines became standard at a German car manufacturer as the automation of electric vehicle transmissions boosted overall vehicle performance by 15%.

 

Advancements in Gear Manufacturing Technology: New developments in machine technology, like control configuration honing machines, have enhanced the gear cutting accuracy, decreased cycle time, and increased production rate, which in turn has stimulated market growth. Example: A Japanese machinery manufacturing firm launched a high-speed gear honing machine in 2022, which has cut the processing time per piece by 20% while retaining precision.

 

Adoption of Industry 4.0 Practices: IoT, AI, and advanced analytics have been incorporated into gear honing machines to allow for trending of maintenance, remote tracking, and improved functionality. Example: In 2023, a U.S. gear manufacturer installed IoT-equipped honing instruments, and the tool’s availability increased by 25% due to technology.

 

Growth in Aerospace and Defense Sectors: Gears used in airplanes and weapons must be very accurate in the aerospace and defense industries. The expansion of these sectors has promoted the usage of gear honing machines. The world aerospace market was worth USD 900 billion in 2023, and precision machining is an important link in the fabrication of gears. Example: In 2023, a French aerospace supplier employed gear honing machines as manufacturers of helicopter transmissions required high dependability.

 

Market Opportunities

Expansion in Emerging Markets: The rapidly industrializing Asian-Pacific and Latin American countries also offer great potential for gear honing machine producers. An Indian automotive supplier introduced improved gear honing machines in 2023 to manufacture automotive-related high-precision parts for export.

 

Rising Demand for Customization in Gear Production: Due to recent specializations in gear manufacturing, there is potential for versatile and multifunctional gear honing machines. Example: A Chinese gear manufacturer in 2023 will use modular honing machines to differentiate its clients and improve its competitiveness in the market.

 

Market Restraints

High Initial Investment Costs: CNC-controlled and automated gear honing machines enhance performance, accuracy, and productivity, but they also come with large capital expenses, which can be a hindrance for SMEs.

 

Complexity in Machine Operation and Maintenance: Advanced gear honing machines entail team operators, which poses a higher operational endeavor to manufacturers besides frequent maintenance.

 

Competition from Alternative Gear Finishing Techniques: Some related procedures, including gear grinding and lapping, pose a strong threat to honing, so its applications might still be constrained.

 

Market Segmentation

By Machine Type:

• Horizontal Gear Honing Machines

• Vertical Gear Honing Machines

 

By Automation Level:

• CNC-Controlled Machines

• Semi-Automatic Machines

• Manual Machines

 

By Application:

• Automotive Industry

• Aerospace and Defense

• Industrial Machinery

• Energy Sector

• Other Applications

 

By End User:

• Gear Manufacturers

• OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers)

• Maintenance and Repair Facilities

 

By Region:

• North America

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East & Africa

 

Segment Analysis

Leading Machine Type: Computer numerical control (CNC) operated gear honing machines.

While automation has gained prominence, CNC-operated machines drove 55 % of the market revenues in 2023 because of their precision, flexibility, and high-volume production capability. Example: A South Korean automotive supplier implemented CNC gear honing machines in 2023, resulting in a 20% improvement in defect and production rates.

 

Leading Application Segment: Automotive Industry

Automotive applications contributed 45% of the company’s revenue in 2023, owing to the increasing incorporation of high-precision gears in electric vehicles and high-end cars. Example: In 2023, a European EV manufacturer optimized the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) behavior of electric drivetrain components using gear honing machines.

 

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific is the biggest and the quickest maturing market, accounting for 50% of the total income in 2023 by bolstering automotive production and rising industrialization. China and India emerged as the largest consumers of the gear honing machine, taking up 70% of the Asia-Pacific region, showing the region’s position in the market. Example: In 2023, an industrial machinery maker in Japan installed gear honing machines connected to IoT into its production line, and the production rate rose by twenty-five percent.

 

North America is the largest market for covered workstations due to high development in the aerospace and defense sectors and emphasis on precision manufacturing technology. Example: In 2023, an aerospace organization in the United States opted for automated gear honing machines to improve gear parts used in military aircraft.

 

Europe is the largest, generating $30 billion, attributed to the high demand for automobiles and industrial equipment. Germany and France are potential markets. Example: A German automotive supplier's gear honing machines in 2022 match the EU sustainable goals in energy efficiency.

 

Key Players

• Gleason Corporation

• EMAG GmbH & Co. KG

• KAPP NILES Group

• Reishauer AG

• Liebherr Group

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machine Tool Co., Ltd.

• Matrix Precision Co., Ltd.

• Star SU LLC

• Samputensili S.p.A.

• Klingelnberg GmbH

 

Future Outlook

Currently, the market for gear honing machines is rather large. Due to the development of new manufacturing technologies, the wide use of electric vehicles, etc., the demand for high-precision gear parts is becoming increasingly large. Industrialization and automotive production will create new opportunities in the Asia Pacific and LAC.

 

Manufacturers focusing on automation, sustainability, and cost-effective solutions are expected to gain a competitive edge. By 2030, gear honing machines will remain integral to achieving high-quality gear manufacturing standards, addressing evolving industrial demands.