Harmonic Drive® strain wave gear - zero backlash

Harmonic Drive® strain wave gearing utilizes a unique operating principle which is based upon the elastic mechanics of metals. The greatest benefits are the zero-backlash characteristics and the weight and space savings compared to other gears because our gear mechanism consists of only three basic parts. They are the: Wave Generator, Flexspline and Circular Spline. This simple three element construction combined with the unique operating principle allows extremely high reduction ratio in a very compact and lightweight package. Neither the size nor weight of the gear vary with the reduction ratio. The high performance attributes of this gearing technology including zero backlash, high torque, compact size, excellent positional accuracy and repeatability are all a direct result of the unique operating principle.

[stevengraham]

Invention of C. Walton Musser in mid 50's. Munufactured in Peabody Mass., Germany and Japan. After all these years, still state of the art. Used by NASA, defense department, robotics, medical equipment, plus many other applications. All three plants have recently expanded because of demand. Inventor had over 250 patents.

[andrewwilson]

Was used in the hub motors as a reduction gear on the lunar rovers on the moon almost 50 years ago! Still sat on the moon if anybody wants a few free units.

[SohilShah_Melodyman]

Amazing animation and well explained!!

[bentoniteclaycompany]

this is cool and all but tone it down on the music, you didn't solve world hunger

[psychopathgenius]

Hi, I want to create a mechanical animation like this and I've already designed the components by SOLIDWORKS. Could you please tell by which software I can create the animation? Thanks

[Martin-sdrg]

Used in FANUC robotic arms for example.

[AmericanJusticeCorp]

Torsionally stiff yet radially compliant... hmmm...


How much energy is lost in flexion of the flexhub? It is conceivably a spring. Possibly that helps. What about metal fatigue?

[keenheat]

is there a reverse version of this? instead of gear reduction, multiplier version of this?

[am]

Doesn't all that flexing damage the central component by constantly stressing it metallurgically?

[flewggle]

I cant believe this bearing actually works.

[impactodelsurenterprise]

Who the hell comes up with such ingenious ideas?

[gordonjones]

Does anyone else find it odd that this beautifully designed graphic does not actually show the output turning? It literally shows the input drive spinning inside a stationary ring. To truly demonstrate this mechanism the output should be turning at the correct ratio to the input.

[dustyroads]

Must be made from very good steel to be constantly flexed. I would think eventually it would stress crack. ??

[hitchhikingmike]

but does it have infinite life? guessing cycles limited to <10E7

[manikandansanth]

What is the reduction of harmonic drive

[Build_the_Future]

Cool, I'm building a 2 legged walking robot on my channel check it out and tell me what you think thanks.