Robotics / Automation

Precision gearboxes for every axis of industrial robots, cobots and automation cells, from the heavy base axes to the wrist.

For Every Robot Joint

High-Load Axes

Base, shoulder and elbow axes carry the arm, the tool and the payload. RV cycloidal gears pack high torque, rigidity and shock capacity into a compact joint.

Backlash and lost motion less than 1 arc-min
E-stop capacity of 5x rated torque on RV gears
Integrated main bearings carry external loads

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Compact Axes

Wrist and end-effector axes need short, light drives with no play. Strain Wave Gear Sets build into the joint, and RDR-E gearheads suit cell turntables.

Backlash-free Strain Wave Gear Sets
RDS-E and RDR-E gearheads ship pre-lubricated
RDR-E right-angle input for low-profile axes

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Repeatability

A robot is only as repeatable as its joints. The two-stage RV design keeps backlash and lost motion below 1 arc-min, and typical repeatability is 20 to 30 arc-sec, so the tool returns to the same point cycle after cycle.

The slower-turning RV gears in the second stage also reduce vibration, which helps the arm hold smooth, accurate paths at speed.

Rigidity

Long arms magnify every bit of deflection at the tool. Dual-sided crankshaft support gives RV gears high torsional stiffness, and the integrated angular ball bearings carry moment loads without separate support bearings in the joint.

Carrying those loads inside the gear keeps the joint short and light, and helps the arm hold its programmed path as the payload and reach change.

Cable Routing

Cables and hoses that wrap around a joint wear out and limit its travel. The RV-C Series has a hollow shaft that routes cables and piping through the axis, and hollow shaft options reach up to a 5 in. through hole.

Strain Wave Gear Sets are also available with a central hollow shaft on request, so lines can run through compact wrist axes as well.

Shock Loads

Collisions, hard stops and emergency stops put the highest loads a joint will ever see into the gear. RV gears keep their teeth in continuous contact and offer an E-stop capacity of 5x rated torque, which gives the axis margin for these events.

Rolling contact elements reduce wear and extend service life, which matters on high-cycle production lines that run around the clock.

Selection Guide

Choosing a reducer for a robot joint starts with how the axis will be used. Work through these points with your load and cycle data before you size a gear. Your answers narrow the catalog to a short list of models to compare.

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Start from loads and motion

List torque, speed and moment load for every axis of the robot.
Include acceleration, deceleration, collisions and emergency stops.
Match the gear type to the axis

RV cycloidal gears suit high-load base, shoulder and elbow axes.
Strain Wave Gear Sets suit light, compact wrist and end-effector axes.
Plan cable and hose routing early

Hollow shaft models such as the RV-C Series route lines through the joint.
This keeps the dress pack compact, protected and clear of the cell.
Check moment load and stiffness

Integrated main bearings carry external loads and moments directly.
That can remove separate support bearings from the joint design.
Choose a gear set or a gearhead

Component sets build into your own housing for the most compact joint.
RD2 gearheads ship sealed with grease and fit major servo motors.

Your Partner For Robotics

Nabtesco Motion Control offers robot builders RV gears, RD2 gearheads and Strain Wave Gear Sets. The patented two-stage cycloidal RV design provides large torque, high ratios and significant shock-load capability.

Tell us about your robot and we will help you choose the right gear.

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Our Solutions

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Strain Wave

Gear Sets

Component set and the simplest variant of the strain wave gear, with solid or hollow shaft.

Product Features:

Flexible integration
Precise and dynamic
Individually customizable

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RDS-E

Advanced precision reduction gearhead model (Solid Series)

Product Features:

Backlash less than 1 arc.min.
Lost motion less than 1 arc.min.
Internal main bearing
Major motor coupling parts included
Sealed grease

Quick Mount

RDR-E

Right angle input type precision reduction gearhead model (Solid Series)

Product Features:

Backlash less than 1.5 arc.min.
Lost motion less than 1.5 arc.min.
Right angle input type
Internal main bearing
Major motor coupling parts included
Sealed grease

Custom Solutions

RV-N Series

The RV reduction gear, already a top seller in robotics, made more compact and lighter

Product Features:

Backlash less than 1 arc.min.
Lost motion less than 1 arc.min.

Custom Solutions

RV-C Series

Hollow shaft model of the RV reduction gear, the series with the world's top market share

Product Features:

Hollow shaft construction
Backlash less than 1 arc.min.
Lost motion less than 1 arc.min.
Internal main bearing

How Can We Support You?

Here for engineers and robot technicians.

Designing machines, servicing robots or building mechatronic systems? Our application engineers help you select, size, integrate and maintain the right gear.

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