Cycloidal Gear: The Benchmark for Tipping Rigidity

What is overturning rigidity?

Tipping rigidity, also known as bending rigidity, indicates how much a gearbox tilts when subjected to a tipping moment. A tipping moment occurs when a force acts through a lever arm. As the force or the length of the lever arm increases, the resulting tipping moment also increases. The higher the tilt rigidity, the less the gearbox tilts under the same load. This parameter is specified in newton-meters per angular minute (Nm/arcmin).

What role does the gears’ bearing arrangement play?

The bearing arrangement absorbs the axial and radial forces that occur, as well as the resulting tilting moments, and is therefore of central importance for the gear unit’s behaviour under load. Among other factors, the design, arrangement, and preload of the bearings are decisive. Nabtesco’s cycloidal gears feature an integrated main bearing assembly with preloaded angular contact ball bearings, enabling them to withstand high bending moments.

Why is high tilting rigidity important for the precision of the application?

High rigidity against tilting moments reduces the tendency of a gearbox to tilt under load and thereby limits the resulting angular deviations. These deviations can affect the actual position of the tool or component. High tilting rigidity thus contributes to high positioning and process accuracy. It is particularly important under high or varying loads as well as with varying lever arms, since the resulting deviations are difficult to compensate for via the control system.

What advantages do Nabtesco cycloidal gears offer under tilting loads?

Nabtesco’s cycloidal gears  offer excellent tilt rigidity combined with a short axial length. Their special design with an integrated main bearing creates a compact solution capable of withstanding high bending moments. This is a significant advantage over gear designs with longer overall lengths, particularly multi-stage planetary gears.

Why do cycloidal gears have an advantage over planetary gears when high torsional rigidity is required?

Especially at high reduction ratios, cycloidal gears can be built significantly shorter than comparable planetary gears. This gives them an advantage when both high rigidity against tilting loads and a short axial footprint are required.

Can low tilt rigidity be compensated for via the control system?

Under constant loads, a known angular deviation can be compensated for via the control system. However, if the load and lever arm change during operation, such compensation is only possible to a limited extent.

Which applications benefit from gears with particularly high tilt rigidity?

Applications with high or varying loads and high demands on positioning or process accuracy benefit the most. These include, for example, robotics, machine tools, bending machines, packaging machines, and welding positioners.

Would you like to learn more about the tilt rigidity of our cycloidal gears, or do you have questions about a specific project? Our experts will be happy to advise you. Contact us now!