Greater efficiency for precise, highly dynamic pick-and-place

Neugart is expanding its portfolio of application-specific drive solutions with the new NDFC gearbox series, developed as an economical alternative to delta robot drives. It excels in applications requiring high availability, robust performance, and cost-efficiency.

As with the NDF series, the specific kinematics of delta robots were the central focus of the NDFC's development. These parallel kinematic systems combine rapid pick-and-place movements with high repeatability, placing particular demands on the gearbox's inertia, rigidity, and sealing technology. The NDFC addresses precisely these aspects, combining application-oriented design with a clear focus on cost-effectiveness.

The NDFC series utilizes gear components from the Neugart Precision Line and combines them with a drive and sealing system optimized for delta robots. A low-inertia clamping system at the input stage enables very fast changes of direction, thus supporting short cycle times, while the sealing concept ensures a tight seal even with the limited rotation angles of the output shaft typical of delta robots. The standard backlash is less than 5 arcmin; optionally, it can be reduced to less than 2 arcmin for size 064 and to less than 1 arcmin for sizes 090 and 110. With three sizes—064, 090, and 110—and two-stage gear ratios from i = 16 to 100, the NDFC covers a wide range of applications and facilitates the precise design of the main drives.

Neugart placed particular emphasis on high operational reliability under dynamic load changes. The application-specific sealing ensures reliable operation without unplanned downtime, while the mechanical design is optimized for low inertia and high transmissible torque. The NDFC offers the necessary precision for demanding pick-and-place tasks without compromising cost-effectiveness. The 064 frame size is also ideal for compact delta robots with limited workspace and lower payload capacities.

For applications in hygienically sensitive environments, options such as food-grade lubrication without performance limitations and a nickel-plated output flange combined with a stainless steel output shaft are available. These features enhance corrosion protection and enable frequent cleaning cycles, as is common in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

"With the NDFC gearboxes, we offer design teams an application-specific and cost-effective gearbox solution for delta robots that balances dynamics, rapid availability, and an attractive total cost of ownership," emphasizes Marcel Geurts, Product Manager at Neugart GmbH.