Unbeatable duo

They form a dream team of precision for automation: Nabtesco offers cycloidal gears and shaft gears from a single source.
 
When it comes to precision gearboxes, Nabtesco is the undisputed leader. The technology and innovation leader has both wave gearboxes and cycloidal gearboxes in its product portfolio, covering a torque range from 7 to 70,000 Nm. This complete scalability is unique on the market and guarantees a consistent gearbox strategy and optimally coordinated systems. The result: maximum performance, more efficient processes, perfect compatibility, and maximum cost-effectiveness. 
The design is complete and the technical specifications of the components are known. But which gearbox best meets the requirements? How can interface problems with the motor connection be avoided? What options are available for reducing costs in the field of drive technology? Users can find answers to questions like these at Nabtesco Precision Europe GmbH.
The company is one of the leading international specialists for precision gearboxes, is the global market leader in the field of robot gearboxes, and, thanks to more than 35 years of experience in robotics and automation, has a very high level of technological expertise, exceptionally high engineering competence, and a deep understanding of applications.

Precise in any size

"If precision is a key requirement, precision gearboxes are the solution of choice. With cycloidal gearboxes and wave gearboxes, we have two extremely powerful technologies in our range that complement each other perfectly. This results in complete scalability from 7 to 70,000 Nm in the product portfolio and makes us the only manufacturer capable of implementing suitable precision gear solutions for truly all axes and applications," says Christian Otto, Senior Application Engineer at Nabtesco Precision Europe.

One contact for everything

Having a single point of contact for all gears optimizes design processes and accelerates development cycles. The result is a consistent gear strategy, optimally coordinated systems, and an even higher level of service.

While cycloidal gearboxes are specialists for higher torques due to their outstanding rigidity, backlash-free wave gearboxes are primarily at home in the lower torque range and are used wherever high performance is required but only limited installation space is available.

A real dream team

But what makes the combination of cycloidal gearboxes and wave gearboxes so interesting for automation? "In terms of precision, torque capacity, and torque density, the two technologies are simply unbeatable. This results in impressive performance, especially when used in combination. If the larger axes of a robot or machine are equipped with cycloidal gearboxes and the smaller ones in the end effector area with shaft gearboxes, the best possible precision can be achieved from the overall interlinking of all axes. No other type of gear can compete with this,“ explains Christian Otto, making it clear: ”You could also say that cycloidal gears and wave gears are the only true precision gears."

The right gearbox for every requirement

A typical application for this precision duo is the 6-axis robot. Axes 1 to 3 are usually equipped with cycloidal gearboxes. High torsional rigidity, robustness, and durability are essential here—a perfect match for Nabtesco's precision cycloidal gearboxes. Thanks to the two-stage reduction principle, very high torques can be transmitted with maximum precision and smoothness. Even over a long period of time, the increase in backlash is negligible.

In contrast, shaft gearboxes are often installed in the manual axes 4 to 6, and in the smaller cobots also in the other axes. The compact precision gearboxes are characterized by absolute backlash-free operation, excellent repeatability, maintenance-free operation over their entire service life, and a high torque capacity that is up to 15% higher than conventional shaft gearboxes—all with small dimensions and low weight.

Perfectly coordinated

In machine tool manufacturing, too, the use of high-reduction gearboxes results in high-precision processes. While the high-torque cycloidal gearboxes in the swivel table ensure precise positioning of the components, the backlash-free wave gearboxes in the tool head ensure absolute precision during machining. The situation is similar with laser and water jet cutting machines.

The large axis under the machining table is perfect for cycloidal gearboxes, and the machining head that guides the laser or water jet is the ideal location for the small wave gearboxes. This enables maximum precision, outstanding dynamics, and maximum efficiency to be achieved.

Applications such as C-arm scanners in medical technology, antennas, rotary tables, milling machines, and welding positioners also benefit from the combined strength of both technologies.

Modular steer-by-wire

Another interesting application is Nabtesco's CV-EPS (CV-EPS = Commercial Vehicle Electronic Power Steering), an innovative, modular steer-by-wire platform for autonomous driving. In the low-voltage solution (24 to 48 V) for trucks, lorries, and buses, a cycloidal gearbox transmits the main torque for steering, while a shaft gearbox serves as a preliminary stage between the steering wheel and the cycloidal gearbox.

Thanks to this combination, power is transmitted in the smallest of spaces with maximum rigidity and transmission accuracy. This results in an extremely compact design.

Design support

Of course, Nabtesco's cycloidal and wave gearboxes are not only available as a double pack. Even individually, these high-performance precision gearboxes are a real asset. In most cases, the geometric size is the decisive criterion for or against one of the two technologies. However, there is also an area in which both types of gearboxes are suitable.

"For outer diameters between 100 and 150 mm and/or torques between 250 and 450 Nm, we can implement solutions based on both cycloidal gears and wave gears. The right technology depends largely on the customer's application. If high torques are the focus, cycloidal gears are ideal. If zero backlash is important, wave gears are the best choice," explains Jonas Kinzel, Product Manager Wave Gears at Nabtesco Precision Europe.

Ideal parameters

Nabtesco considers the maximum precision, outstanding performance, and optimal integrability of its gearboxes to be its strengths. The gearboxes are easily scalable, as almost every application, machine, or system has larger and smaller axes. The supplier's cycloidal gearboxes and wave gearboxes are therefore at home in all industries and also achieve top marks in terms of precision. Together, they form a real dream team and are the key to greater efficiency, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.

Author: Jennifer Hagmeyer, Team Lead Marketing, Nabtesco Precision Europe GmbH

Images: Nabtesco Precision Europe GmbH, stock.adobe.com