Gearboxes and harmonic drives
Precision reducers that match motor speed and torque to the load, from planetary to zero-backlash strain-wave gearing. Tell us the application and we'll specify the right product, and the parts around it, for your machine.
What we need to know to specify gearboxes and harmonic drives
These are the questions an applications engineer works through first. Approximate answers are fine: ranges narrow the options quickly, and we confirm the details with you.
- Type: Harmonic / strain wave, Planetary, Spiral bevel, Not sure
- Ratio: Under 10:1, 10–50:1, 50–100:1, Over 100:1
- Backlash: Zero / under 1 arcmin, Under 3 arcmin, Standard
- Output torque: Under 20 Nm, 20–100 Nm, 100–500 Nm, Over 500 Nm
We also ask about the environment (washdown, outdoor, subsea, ATEX, vacuum, shock and EMC), annual quantities and timescale, because these decide whether a standard, modified or custom design is the best fit.
40 series compared
Series from 5 manufacturers, grouped by type. Figures are the highest published for each series. Open a series for the full specification and, for brands outside our supply network, the alternatives that meet or exceed it.
Strain-wave (harmonic) gear (12)
| Brand | Series | Rated torque | Peak torque | Ratio (max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeaderDrive | LCS / LCSG | — | — | 500:1 |
| LeaderDrive | LHS / LHSG | — | — | 500:1 |
| LeaderDrive | LCD | — | — | 500:1 |
| LeaderDrive | LHD | — | — | 500:1 |
| Harmonic Drive | CSF-2A component sets | 3,550 Nm | 15,500 Nm | 160:1 |
| Harmonic Drive | CSG-2A component sets | 1,236 Nm | 6,175 Nm | 160:1 |
| Harmonic Drive | CSD-2A component sets | 329 Nm | 1,440 Nm | 160:1 |
| Harmonic Drive | SHF-2A component sets | 745 Nm | 3,430 Nm | 160:1 |
| Harmonic Drive | SHG-2A component sets | 1,236 Nm | 6,175 Nm | 160:1 |
| Harmonic Drive | SHD-2SH gear units | 185 Nm | 700 Nm | 160:1 |
| Harmonic Drive | CPU-M / CPU-H / CPU-S gear units | — | 1,840 Nm | 160:1 |
| Harmonic Drive | CPL-2A component sets | — | 372 Nm | 160:1 |
Planetary gearbox (12)
| Brand | Series | Rated torque | Peak torque | Ratio (max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APEX Dynamics | P-II / P-IIR | 459 Nm | — | 1,000:1 |
| APEX Dynamics | AD / ADR / ADS | — | — | — |
| APEX Dynamics | GL / GLS | — | — | 90:1 |
| APEX Dynamics | AB / ABR | — | — | — |
| Wanshsin | WSH | 2,400 Nm | 7,200 Nm | 100:1 |
| Wanshsin | WTH | 2,050 Nm | 6,150 Nm | 100:1 |
| Wanshsin | WAE | — | — | — |
| Wanshsin | WVRB | — | — | — |
| Wanshsin | WTN | — | — | — |
| Wanshsin | WPL / WPF | — | — | 100:1 |
| Harmonic Drive | HPG Harmonic Planetary gearheads | 850 Nm | 4,500 Nm | 50:1 |
| Harmonic Drive | HPN Harmonic Planetary value series | 562 Nm | 1,265 Nm | 50:1 |
Harmonic actuator (9)
| Brand | Series | Peak torque | Rated torque | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motion Control Products | MAH | 800 Nm | 557 Nm | 125 rpm |
| Motion Control Products | MAT | 800 Nm | 557 Nm | 102 rpm |
| Motion Control Products | MGM | 459 Nm | 267 Nm | 108 rpm |
| Motion Control Products | MGU | 762 Nm | 557 Nm | 68 rpm |
| Harmonic Drive | FHA-C hollow-shaft servo actuators | 820 Nm | — | 96 rpm |
| Harmonic Drive | SHA-SG hollow-shaft servo actuators | 3,419 Nm | 1,236 Nm | 509.1 rpm |
| Harmonic Drive | SHA-CG hollow-shaft servo actuators | 841 Nm | 382 Nm | 120 rpm |
| Harmonic Drive | RSF servo actuators (17A/20A/25A/32A) | 330 Nm | 98 Nm | — |
| Harmonic Drive | LPA low-profile actuator with integrated servo drive | 57 Nm | 16.9 Nm | 88.2 rpm |
Spiral bevel gearbox (5)
| Brand | Series | Rated torque | Peak torque | Ratio (max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wanshsin | WSHR | 1,400 Nm | 4,200 Nm | 200:1 |
| Wanshsin | WTHR | 2,050 Nm | 6,150 Nm | 200:1 |
| Wanshsin | WAER | — | — | 200:1 |
| Wanshsin | WADR | — | — | 200:1 |
| Wanshsin | WVRBR | 2,000 Nm | — | 200:1 |
Stainless planetary gearbox (1)
| Brand | Series | Rated torque | Peak torque | Ratio (max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APEX Dynamics | AE / AER / AES / AESR | — | — | 200:1 |
Worm gearbox (1)
| Brand | Series | Rated torque | Peak torque | Ratio (max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motion Control Products | MCP2 / MCP4 worm wheel gearbox | — | — | 60:1 |
Summarised from manufacturers' published data. Always confirm against the current datasheet; an engineer will check the fit before recommending anything.
Brands
Spec builder
Specify gearboxes and harmonic drives
Select every part you need, answer the questions an applications engineer would ask, and see your summary before we ask for any details.
- 1Products
- 2Performance
- 3Environment
- 4Volumes
- 5Your spec
Engineer support
Talk to an engineer about gearboxes and harmonic drives
Tell us what you need, whether it is this part, an equivalent or a complete axis built around it. An engineer will review your requirements and reply, normally within one working day.
- Reviewed by an engineer, not an autoresponder
- Like-for-like and better-fit alternatives
- Standard, modified and custom options
Prefer to configure it? Use the spec builder.