Cycloidal gearboxes
Cycloidal gearboxes or reducers contain four fundamental components: a high-speed input shaft, an individual or compound cycloidal cam, cam followers or rollers, and a slow-speed cycloidal gearbox output shaft. The input shaft attaches to an eccentric drive member that induces eccentric rotation of the cycloidal cam. In compound reducers, the first an eye on the cycloidal cam lobes engages cam fans in the housing. Cylindrical cam followers become teeth on the inner gear, and the amount of cam fans exceeds the amount of cam lobes. The next track of compound cam lobes engages with cam supporters on the result shaft and transforms the cam’s eccentric rotation into concentric rotation of the output shaft, thus raising torque and reducing swiftness.
Compound cycloidal gearboxes provide ratios ranging from only 10:1 to 300:1 without stacking levels, as in regular planetary gearboxes. The gearbox’s compound decrease and may be calculated using:
where nhsg = the number of followers or rollers in the fixed housing and nops = the quantity for followers or rollers in the slow rate output shaft (flange).
There are many commercial variations of cycloidal reducers. And unlike planetary gearboxes where variations are based on gear geometry, heat therapy, and finishing processes, cycloidal variations share fundamental design concepts but generate cycloidal movement in different ways.
Planetary gearboxes
Planetary gearboxes are made of three fundamental force-transmitting elements: a sun gear, three or even more satellite or world gears, and an internal ring gear. In an average gearbox, the sun gear attaches to the input shaft, which is connected to the servomotor. The sun gear transmits engine rotation to the satellites which, subsequently, rotate inside the stationary ring gear. The ring gear is area of the gearbox housing. Satellite gears rotate on rigid shafts connected to the planet carrier and trigger the planet carrier to rotate and, thus, turn the output shaft. The gearbox gives the output shaft higher torque and lower rpm.
Planetary gearboxes generally have one or two-equipment stages for reduction ratios which range from 3:1 to 100:1. A third stage could be added for also higher ratios, nonetheless it is not common.
The ratio of a planetary gearbox is calculated using the next formula:
where nring = the amount of teeth in the internal ring equipment and nsun = the amount of the teeth in the pinion (insight) gear.
Great things about cycloidal gearboxes
• Zero or very-low backlash remains relatively constant during life of the application
• Rolling rather than sliding contact
• Low wear
• Shock-load capacity
• Torsional stiffness
• Flat, pancake design
• Ratios exceeding 200:1 in a compact size
• Quiet operation

Ever-Power Cycloidal Equipment technology is the far superior choice when compared to traditional planetary and cam indexing gadgets.