100 Years of innovation that moves the world

Sumitomo Drive Technologies is celebrating 100 years of cycloidal gears and thus a century of German engineering that continues to have a significant influence on the world of drive technology today. Since the invention of the cyclo principle by Lorenz Braren in 1925, this technology has stood for precision, reliability and efficiency - properties that have not only revolutionized industrial automation, but have also had a lasting impact on robotics.

An invisible revolution: The cyclo principle is changing the industrial world

There are groundbreaking technologies such as the automobile, the steam engine, the printing press or even the telephone and the Internet that everyone knows and that have had a lasting impact on society. The Cyclo principle, also known as cycloidal gear, is less visible, but has revolutionized the industrial world in the background and is now an indispensable component of modern drive solutions.

The cycloidal gear, the heart of Sumitomo Drive Technologies' product portfolio, has changed drive technology with its unique design. Unlike conventional gears, the cyclo principle distributes the load evenly across several bolts and discs. This design minimizes wear, increases resilience and at the same time significantly reduces maintenance effort.

Thanks to these properties, cycloidal gears are now indispensable in a wide range of industries:

• Robotics and automation: As backlash-free precision gears for maximum accuracy and efficiency.
• Machine tools and medical technology: For applications that require the highest precision.
• Intralogistics and production: In autonomous, mobile robots and driverless transport systems that require reliable and compact drive solutions.
• Historical milestones: From the Cyclo principle to a global brand

With the courage to innovate, Lorenz Konrad Braren laid the foundation for the success story of cycloidal gears in 1925. The engineer, born in 1886 on the North Frisian island of Föhr, drew on his experience, which he gained during stints in the USA, Germany and as chief designer at the Friedrich Deckel company in Munich. Inspired by the precise "Compur" camera shutter from Deckel, he developed a new gear technology that is characterized by the highest precision and reliability.

After Braren's invention in 1925, his visionary work led to a cooperation with today's Sumitomo Heavy Industries in 1932, which acquired a license to build the Cyclo® gearbox in Japan. Despite language barriers, it was the shared fascination with technology that formed an alliance

Today, Sumitomo Drive Technologies combines all activities in the field of drive technology under one well-known brand. With recent acquisitions, such as those of the Lafert Group and Invertek Drives, Sumitomo Drive Technologies has developed from a component manufacturer into a full-service provider of drive solutions. The portfolio ranges from precision drives, industrial gearboxes, centrifuges, actuators, motors, frequency converters to networked solutions for Industry 4.0.

Looking to the future: sustainability and social contribution

Sumitomo Drive Technologies sees innovation as the key to a sustainable future. The integration of the latest technologies not only enables more efficient industrial processes, but also makes a positive contribution to society and the environment.

The corporate culture, characterized by a passion for technology and a strong team spirit, offers room for continuous development. The focus is always on the needs of the customers - with tailor-made solutions for the challenges of modern industry.

"We are proud to have been moving and improving industrial processes worldwide for 100 years. This anniversary is a milestone that underlines both our innovative strength and our commitment to quality and sustainability," says Florian Butzmann, CEO of Sumitomo Drive Technologies EMEIA.