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Planetary gearboxes
Designed for industrial, robotic and automation applications
Planetary gearboxes are compact, high-performance gearboxes which are designed for small installation spaces and applications. They transmit torque and provide high reduction ratios. Their planetary gear arrangement distributes load across multiple gears which makes them suitable for applications not only requiring high torque and precision, but efficient power transmission.
Our planetary gearboxes are designed for industrial, robotic and automation applications where precision, reliability and load capacity are required. Their compact design combines high power density with minimal space requirements and enables efficient transmission of high torque. Our gearboxes run quietly and entirely maintenance-free, making them efficient and durable. The low friction and minimised clearance ensure precise movements and high repeatability, which is indispensable for complex and demanding control systems.
The planetary gearboxes can be used universally and are suitable for connection to various NEMA motors. This allows them to be easily integrated into a wide range of drive concepts.
How a planetary gearbox works
1. A motor drives the central gear, known as a sun gear
2. The sun gear turns the smaller orbiting planet gears
3. The planet gears orbit the sun gear
4. The gears turn the carrier, which outputs torque
How do planetary gearboxes compare to other gearbox types?
| Gearbox type | Size | Torque | Efficiency | Reduction ratio | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planetary | Compact/ small | High | High | High | Automation, robotics |
| Worm | Compact/ small | High | Low | High | Positioning |
| Bevel | Compact/ small | Medium to high | High | Medium | Angle drives |
| Spur | Large | Medium | High | Medium/ low | Domestic |
| Helical | Medium | High | High | Medium / high | Industrial machines |
Planetary gearbox applications
Clean drive solutions for dosing applications
Our planetary gears offer an efficient and maintenance-free solution for the precise dosing of adhesives. In this application, the gearbox drives a worm that applies the adhesive evenly and precisely to printed circuit boards. Six stations are arranged synchronously on a slewing ring, enabling a continuous process. Supplemented by motors, control systems and cables, the result is a perfectly coordinated solution for high-precision dosing and assembly processes.
Compact technology for continuous winding applications
If material, such as filament, is to be precisely wound from one roll to another, a reliable drive solution is crucial. The combination of a planetary gearbox and NEMA23 motor ensures constant torque and clean results. Supplemented by suitable control systems and cables, the result is a solution that can be perfectly integrated for your automation tasks.
Compact drive solution for conveying and linear motions
Our motor-gearbox kit offers an efficient, space-saving and instantly integrable drive solution for linear travels and conveyor movements. Thanks to the combination of NEMA23 motor and planetary gearbox, it is ideal for pick & place applications, transfer systems or sorting processes. Supplemented by control systems and cables from igus, you receive a precise and complete solution for optimum automation.
Clean and PTFE-free drive technology for precise slewing ring solutions
The drygear planetary gearbox offers a maintenance-free, lubrication-free drive solution made of high-performance plastic - ideal for slewing rings or filling plants in the food, packaging and pharmaceutical industries. It is light, cost-efficient and immediately available. In combination with NEMA23 motors, the system enables precise and dynamic movements. Supplemented by motors, control systems and cables from igus, you receive a complete solution.
Efficient drive technology for torque-based assembly aids
Our drygear planetary gearboxes offer a reliable, low-maintenance solution for assembly processes with defined torque - cost-efficient and immediately available. Thanks to tribo-plastics, they ensure constant torque transmission. With NEMA23 motors, the system is ideal for assembly aids and screwing applications. Supplemented by control systems and cables from igus®, you receive a perfectly coordinated complete solution.
Precise positioning for sensor applications
The drygear Evoloid gear with 18:1 ratio offers the ideal solution for precise and controlled positioning of sensors - compact, efficient and directly integrable. It enables smooth linear movements with high positioning accuracy, ideal for inspection, measurement or sorting processes. In combination with a linear unit and components from the igus portfolio, you receive a perfectly coordinated complete solution for automation tasks.
Planetary gearboxes used in these industries
PTFE-free planetary gearboxes
PTFE-free products are becoming more important as the environmental impact of PFAS is increasingly highlighted and possible regulations are discussed. To meet industrial requirements and at the same time protect the environment, we develop innovative alternatives without "forever chemicals". Our PTFE-free planetary gearboxes are among these forward-looking solutions. With these products, we promote both technological progress and sustainable approaches in the industry.
Frequently asked questions around planetary gearboxes
A planetary gearbox is a system made up of several gears orbiting a ventral gear. When powered, the main gear spins and turns the orbiting gears, sharing the workload.
Planetary gearboxes work through multiple gears circling a main gear, when the main gear is powered it turns the other gears, creating a very strong system.
The set up is like a solar system. The main gear, the sun is the middle gear and gets powered, in turn turning the supporting smaller gears. There is an outer ring with teeth, which acts as a bind keeping them all together and a plate holds all of this in one place, connecting it to the output shaft.
There are a wide range of applications such as:
- Automation
- Robotics
- Pick & Place
- Machine tools
- Conveyor systems and many more
The key differences are design, gear ratio, efficiency, speed and size.
Depending on the application would depend which option would be right for your application. If you are unsure, please contact us.
As with most components, the key factors are operation loads, strength of the materials, lubrication (if used) and the precision with the alignment.
The igus planetary gearboxes don't require lubrication so you're already at a slight advantage.
Yes, planetary gearboxes are also known as epicyclic gearboxes.
Other information and resources
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