German precision motion specialist Wittenstein has unveiled what it calls a new generation of compact, zero-backlash gearheads with independently movable teeth.

The company claims that the Galaxie gearhead will pave the way to “an entirely new class of drive system" and outperform previous gearhead technologies with its torque density, torsional stiffness and energy efficiency.The Galaxie gearhead will pave the way to an entirely new class of drive system. Source: Hannover Messe

Wittenstein says the new hollow-shaft design will deliver torque levels that are 70-170% higher; emergency-stop torque levels that are 150-300% higher; torsional rigidity that is 340-­580% better; an efficiency that is 18-29% higher; and a ratio of hollow shaft to outer diameters that is 3-70% bigger.

Unlike gearheads with linear gear tooth contacts, this gearhead transmits power via a ring gear which generates much larger hydrodynamic surface contact.

The gear teeth are driven by the combination of a polygon on the input shaft and on the output side, a segmented anti-friction bearing and a tooth carrier with a segmented outer bearing ring. The meshing pattern is a logarithmic spiral, which Wittenstein claims is the first of its kind.

Potential applications include machine tools, robots, wind turbines and textile machines.