Harmonic Drive

[@websyndicate1]

I used the original Emhart Harmonic Drive on a telescope drive system back in the mid-eighties. It is a phenomenal piece of work. The zero backlash combined with predictable error makes it perfect for high precision positioning. We used, at the time, Superior Electric's microstepping index motors to achieve incredible accuracy.

[@rock3tcatU233]

To think that the Apollo Lunar Rovers used this in the 70's is amazing.

[@oisiaa]

I just discovered the harmonic drive a few days ago after researching the lunar rover. The rover uses harmonic drives on each of its wheels with a 100:1 reduction ratio.

[@ActiveAtom]

Sounds to be a fancy product even, nice piece what a nice example love the oval rings engineering at its finest. Lance & Patrick.

[@rokag333]

the only zero backlash gear reductor, a dream for CNC and robots unfortunately does not come cheap cry

[@chinaharmonicdrive4333]

it comes. Bro`

[@erkanoruc45]

Hi we have a harmonic drive for our ultrasonic measurement device's rotating table we change the harmonic drive in 6 months is this possible that the harmonic drive broken down in this period and it is not a complete unit we assemble the wave generator with grease but the firm suggest sk1 grease is this a special one do you think our problem can be the grease for flex gear unit could you please give an idea and also it make vibration and noise while turning at the spesific rpm for example 2 rpm

[@NastySteve]

Does anyone have tips on aligning these drives properly? I have to install about 10 of these a day and maybe its just our experience but its a pain to install and get them aligned properly to avoid friction. Thanks!

[@anukulchandra3781]

What are the limitations of torque transmitted through such drives?

[@civicsr2cool]

that's what I'm wondering, when does it start to slip

[@henkvaneeden9054]

CivicsR2Cool Never

[@TeamGreenGorilla]

This question is heavily depending on motor. For example, on stepper it will slip and skip (dependimg on tension with flex spline. On industrial servo motor (if feedback is in input shaft) it will typically slip. Although skip is also possible depending on controller/watts. If setup correctly AND you have 2 to 50k usd, no problem with skip or slip. Conroller and feedback can detect and compensate for such problems.

[@acruzp]

fatigue, not stress. Besides the deformable ring is most likely heat treated and the alloy must be right to withstand prolongued cyclical deformation

[@cavanaughsgarage]

Can the harmonic drive be back-driven?

[@TeamGreenGorilla]

No

[@Martin-xb2rz]

You can rotate them in both directions.

[@Carsenator]

What about metal fatigue??

[@TheIndustrialphreak]

Its great that folks are being innovative to an extent, i cant wait till the cost come down to a point that the average garage tinkerer can afford these for their projects. What disturbs me to a point concerning that it may be in a effect over engineering. I can see that their will be some environmental applications that these will greatly benefit as a solution.

[@funy0n583]

*spoiler* it never does

[@JM_Tushe]

Awesome.

[@jamesmatheson5813]

I can't purchase from design world

[@oldpaperpolitics8825]

Too expensive its pointless

[@funy0n583]

over priced