SureServo Strain Wave Gearbox Explained from AutomationDirect

The SureGear Strain Wave Gearboxes get huge gear reductions in a very compact size. How do they do that? Well, let’s take a peek inside. There are only three components involved: the circular spline, the flex spline, and the wave generator. The circular spline is mounted to the housing of the gearbox and is stationary. The flex spline is mounted to the output shaft. But, it’s smaller than the circular spline. The wave generator is an elliptical bearing, so it engages the flex spline and the circular spline in these two regions. The input shaft rotates the wave generator which meshes the flex splines gear teeth with the circular spline. But because the flex spline has two fewer teeth - look what happens: the flex spline and output shaft rotate two teeth relative to the base for each full rotation of the input shaft. And that’s how the Strain Wave gearbox gets such huge gear ratios in such a small package. To change the gear ratio, you just change the number of teeth – no need to change the sizes of gears or add extra stages like we do with planetary gearboxes. And since there are only the two moving parts, they are super reliable. Unlike traditional gearboxes where only one tooth is engaged at a time, the strain wave gearboxes have 30 to 40 percent of the teeth engaged at all times which explains how they are able to get such high torques with such small teeth! Lots of little teeth engaged gets you the same torque as one big tooth. And the best part? ZERO backlash. Again, because all these little teeth are engaged at all times, when you reverse the motor you get an instant response – no more waiting for the gears to re-mesh and start working again when you reverse the motor. And all of that makes these gearboxes super-efficient and low noise. So with free CAD models, free award-winning tech support, in-stock ready-to-ship parts, free shipping on all orders over 49 bucks, and a 30-day no-questions-asked money back guarantee – you have nothing to lose! Try one today at: AutomationDirect.com.