Cycloidal drives by Sumitomo Drive Technologies
the ideal technology for your machines. Proven technology ☑️ Made in Germany and Japan ☑️
Cycloidal drives – a proven technology in the drive world
If your machines had the choice, they’d opt for cycloidal drives developed by Sumitomo Drive Technologies. That’s because they’re compact, durable and superior to conventional drives on so many levels.
We invented the Cyclo principle and offer practical high-end designs that meet the most demanding requirements.
Innovative power – keeping things moving since 1925
Sumitomo drives are real technical masterpieces and prime examples of German engineering skill. Cycloidal drives feature an impressively compact design and deliver high single-stage reduction ratios of up to 179:1. Technical progress, carefully considered products and innovation have been at the heart of what we do for more than 100 years. And as the inventor of the Cyclo principle, precision is written in our DNA.
The idea behind cycloidal technology originated from the German engineer Lorenz Braren. He developed the concept in the 1920s after being inspired by the Compur camera shutter produced by the company Deckel, where Braren was employed as a designer. He founded the first company CYCLO Getriebebau GmbH in Munich back in 1931 and started mass-producing cycloidal drives from then on. In 1938, the first license agreement to manufacture cycloidal drives was signed between Sumitomo and Braren’s company. In connection with the formation of a new company in Markt Indersdorf after the Second World War and following a collaboration that had lasted many years, Sumitomo acquired shares in CYCLO Getriebebau GmbH in 1974. The Markt Indersdorf site has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Heavy Industries (SHI) since 1994 and is the European headquarters. Today, the drives are still synonymous with pioneering solutions that deliver maximum integrability and performance. That’s what we call quality engineered and made in Germany and Japan.
Cycloidal drive working principle: in simple terms
Although cycloidal drives seem complex at first glance, their design is actually remarkably straightforward. A cycloidal drive brings together the following five fundamental components in addition to other parts:
- High speed shaft with eccentric bearing
- Cycloidal disc(s)
- Ring gear housing with outer pins
- Driving pins with rollers
- Slow speed shaft
And here’s how it works:
As the eccentric bearing rotates, it rolls one or more cycloidal discs around the internal circumference of the stationary ring gear housing. The resulting action is similar to that of a disc rolling around the inside of a ring
As the cycloidal discs travel in a clockwise path inside the ring gear housing, the discs themselves turn in an anticlockwise direction around their own axes. The lobes of the cycloidal discs engage successively with the pins of the ring gear housing, thus producing a reverse rotation at a reduced speed.
For each complete revolution of the high speed shaft, the cycloidal disc moves by one lobe. The reduction ratio is determined by the number of cycloidal lobes on the cycloidal disc.
There is at least one lobe fewer per cycloidal disc than there are pins in the ring gear housing, which results in the reduction ratio being numerically equal to the number of lobes on the cycloidal disc. The reduced rotation of the cycloidal discs is transmitted to the slow speed shaft via pins projecting through the holes in the cycloidal discs.
Normally, a kit comprising two cycloidal discs with a double eccentric bearing is used, which can increase the torque while still ensuring exceptionally quiet and vibration-free operation.
The advantages of cycloidal drives
This type of Sumitomo drive far outperforms conventional drives. Due to their rolling motion, cycloidal drives have a significant advantage over cogwheel drives.
In contrast to conventional spur gears, where one or two teeth absorb the full load, a cycloidal drive distributes the load over at least 30% of the disc profile. Cycloidal drives and gearmotors offer outstanding performance, reliability and a long lifetime, even in the toughest operating conditions. Today, they’re considered a proven solution that should be favoured over other drive types in a number of scenarios – for good reason. Here’s why:
Areas of application for cycloidal drives
Cycloidal drives come into play in a wide range of industries: whether installed as compact and robust standard drives in machines and systems to create an all-round solution or in the form of highly specialised designs for specific scenarios. They’re also used as backlash-free motion control drives in the fields of robotics, machine tools and medical technology. Cycloidal technology is also ideal for decanter and centrifuge drives. Last but not least, cycloidal drives can be integrated into driverless transport systems and autonomous mobile robots in the fields of intralogistics and production.
So, as you can see, cycloidal drives are extremely versatile, customised products that are tailored to the application in hand. We offer a vast array of solutions to meet your specific requirements – so come and explore our product portfolio and use our online configurator to create the right drive for you in just a few clicks.
At Sumitomo Drive Technologies, quality is built into our products
As the inventor of cycloidal drives, you’ll be sure to find the perfect solution for your application among our broad range of tried-and-tested models and product series – spanning traditional gearmotors like the Cyclo Drive 6000, robust and versatile products such as the Altax® reducer and the mechanically backlash-free motion control drives in the Fine Cyclo® series.
Our drives and gearmotors rise to every challenge and achieve high torques, input speeds and reduction ratios depending on the series. Our products are either foot-mounted or flange-mounted in the case of gearmotors or are designed with a solid or hollow shaft in the Fine Cyclo series.
Whatever your scenario – Sumitomo drives embody carefully considered technology and outstanding manufacturing quality. Many models are entirely maintenance-free, fully sealed and quick and easy to install. We’d be more than happy to advise you.
Modular system – cost-effective, straightforward and readily available
Our modular cycloidal drives are just the thing if you need a drive that offers direct motor attachment. The modular system has the advantage of being tailored to all standard servo motors produced by well-known motor manufacturers. What’s more, its carefully considered design means that it’s quick to deliver straight from the shelf.
Custom products – for perfectly smooth operation
We can also develop specialised solutions for you by adapting our drives and gearmotors to your machine interface or making adjustments based on your requirements. Custom products are either inspired by our existing series or are designed and manufactured completely from scratch to optimally meet your individual needs.
High-quality cycloidal drives: the best solution for your application
If you’re looking to buy a cycloidal drive and need some advice, our team will be happy to help. As a cycloidal drive manufacturer that has built a quality brand, we’re at your side as a partner to give you all-round technical advice. We’ll also help you with installation at your premises.
We can’t wait to work with you to set your projects in motion.