Motor shaft does not fit your gearbox? Get a custom coupling, quoted within 48 hours.

+91 76982 63509

Precision cycloidal reducers for rotary tables and heavy automation

Single-stage cycloidal reducers with ≤ 1 arcmin backlash, 500% shock capacity and a compact footprint. Ratios 11:1 to 119:1 for index tables, palletisers and heavy joints.

Ratios
11:1 to 119:1 (single stage)
Backlash
≤ 1 arcmin
Efficiency
85–92%
Best for
Rotary tables, press feeders, palletising robots, heavy-duty joints
Eccentric input cam drives an 11-lobe disc around 12 fixed pins; output pins pick up the slow rotation. This set reduces 11:1.
:1
N·m
Clear

1 gearbox

How a cycloidal reducer gets its ratio

Add or remove ring pins and watch the disc. It always has one lobe fewer than there are pins, and turns back one lobe per input revolution, so the ratio equals the lobe count: 12 pins give 11:1.

Turn on JavaScript to change tooth counts and see the ratio, output speed and torque update live.

Shaft sizes do not match? We make the coupling

Every cycloidal reducer can be joined to any motor, robot joint or housing: we machine a custom coupling bored to both shafts, plus an adapter flange if the mounting faces differ. Send both shaft sizes, a drawing or just the motor model number.

Get a custom coupling
  1. Send your requirementMotor model, shaft and pilot sizes, or a STEP/PDF drawing.
  2. We confirm the designA 2D drawing and quote from our engineers within 48 working hours.
  3. We machine and assembleCoupling, flange or housing is fitted and tested with the gearbox before dispatch.

How a cycloidal reducer works

A cycloidal reducer has an eccentric cam on the input shaft that drives one or two lobed cycloid discs. The discs sit inside a ring of fixed pins, and each disc has one lobe fewer than there are pins. As the cam turns, the disc wobbles around the pin ring and, because of the missing lobe, rotates backwards by one lobe per input revolution. Output pins pass through holes in the disc and pick up this slow rotation. With 12 pins and 11 lobes, the ratio is 11:1; with 60 pins and 59 lobes, 59:1.

Strengths

  • Shock capacity. Many lobes share the load at once, and they roll rather than slide, so emergency stops and impacts are spread over a large contact area.
  • Low backlash. Precision-ground discs and pins give backlash of 1 arcmin or less without the preload losses of some other designs.
  • Compact and short. A high ratio in one stage keeps the axial length short, which helps in turntables and robot joints.
  • Long life. Rolling contact and low wear make cycloidal drives suited to 24/7 duty.

Typical applications

Cycloidal reducers work in rotary index tables, welding and painting positioners, palletising and handling robots, press feeders, machine-tool magazines, heavy AGV steering and joints that see frequent reversing under load. When you need higher ratio or even higher stiffness, compare with our RV reducers.

Sizing a cycloidal reducer

Calculate the peak acceleration torque of the axis and compare it with the acceleration torque rating, then check the average torque against the rated torque. For a rotary table, add the tilting moment from any off-centre load and compare it with the output bearing's allowable moment. Send us the table diameter, load mass and index time and we will recommend a size.

Further reading on cycloidal reducers

All cycloidal reducer articles

Cycloidal reducer questions

How is a cycloidal reducer different from an RV reducer?

A cycloidal reducer is a single cycloid stage driven directly by an eccentric on the input shaft. An RV reducer adds a spur-gear first stage and crankshafts. Cycloidal units are simpler and shorter; RV units reach higher ratios with higher stiffness.

Why are cycloidal reducers good at shock loads?

Up to half the lobes of the disc are in rolling contact with pins at any moment, so an impact is shared by many contacts instead of one or two gear teeth.

Can a cycloidal reducer be back-driven?

At lower ratios, yes. At high ratios back-driving becomes difficult, so use a brake on vertical axes that must hold position with the motor off.

What input speeds are allowed?

Typically up to 3,000–4,000 rpm depending on size. Check the average and maximum input speed in each product's specifications.