Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearboxes and RV and RD Reducers: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2018 to 2024

Published: Apr, 2018 | Pages: 230 | Publisher: WinterGreen Research
Industry: Materials | Report Format: Electronic (PDF)

The leading vendors in the Precision Gearbox industry have invested in high-quality technology and processes to develop leading edge reducer strain relief gearbox capability.

Other vendors are working to catch up. Precision Gearbox market driving forces relate primarily to the implementation of speed reduction capability for robots and wind turbines initially, providing industrial controls that are compelling.

The Precision Gearbox is used in situations where smooth, efficient gear operation is needed. Initial applications are in robotics, aerospace and solar tracking, the materials used in these applications can wear and break if the gearing in a motor is rough. Harmonic gear vendors offer a unique gear tooth profile that optimizes the tooth engagement. Only the high end vendors are able to provide harmonic drives that work, the other units become trash within days.

Revenue for harmonic drives was $838 million in 2017, and products are expected to generate revenue of $3.517 billion by 2024. Strong growth is the result of increasing use in industrial robots as they become integrated and able to perform multiple functions sequentially in an automated manner. Precision Gearbox reduction gearboxes are presented many new market opportunities from multiple types of applications. The VNTOL aircraft uses the drive reduction to enable vertical takeoff This lifts off like a helicopter and files like an airplane.

Demanding applications for the gear box include surgical robots. By application category, there was a substantial year-on-year increase in sales for industrial robots used on production lines for smartphones, tablet devices, household appliances, automobiles, and other products.

Sales for semiconductor manufacturing equipment increased due to rising capital investment against a backdrop of increasing demand for industrial equipment, automotive devices, and devices for data centers, among other factors. Sales for flat panel display manufacturing equipment increased due to high levels of investment to expand production capacity for LCD and organic EL panels.

Semiconductor liquid crystal production equipment, photovoltaic equipment, optical instruments, precision machine tools and other cutting-edge areas provide target applications.

Japan manufactures reliable performance precision gears. Reliable performance of precision gear reducer manufacturing is not yet occurring at scale elsewhere, particularly in China. China with its huge investments in industrial robots would really like to be able to scale manufacture of Precision Gearbox precision strain wave reducer gearboxes.

The market has just begun. Early adopters are the robot manufacturers. Suppliers of the precision gears, Japanese companies, address markets for industrial robots. While the Chinese would like to be the primary suppliers of Precision Gearbox Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearboxes, it has not happened yet.

Harmonic gear reducers are used in aviation, aerospace, energy, navigation, shipbuilding, bionic machinery, commonly used ordnance, machine tools, instruments, electronic equipment, mining and metallurgy, transportation, lifting machinery, petrochemical machinery, textile machinery, agricultural machinery and medical Instruments. Japan's a precision reducer is used in industrial robots and airplane engines, wind turbines and for solar trackers.

According to Susan Eustis, leader of the team that prepared the research, “Gearbox precision gearing is known for zero backlash, high torque, compact size, and excellent positional accuracy. Precision reduction gears are mechanical, they are used as speed changing devices. Precision gearboxes have of a thin ring that provides elastically as it rolls on the inside of a slightly larger rigid circular ring.

“Precision gear boxes consist of a circular spline, flex spline, and wave generator. The flex spline component produces a repeated vibration, stimulated by the wave generator. A harmonic gear is a strain wave gear. It is characterized by the ability to transmit motion
through sealed walls. Operation of precision gears is based on the thin-walled flexible cup with external splines on its lip, placed inside a circular thick walled rigid ring machined with internal splines.

“High gear ratios, light weight, reconfigurable ratios within a standard housing, good resolution, and repeatability are features of the devices. Devices work when repositioning internal loads, they have high torque capability, coaxial input, and coaxial output.”

Companies Profiled

Market Leaders

• Harmonic Drive
• Sumitomo Heavy Industries
• Beijing CTKM Precision Gearbox
• Leaderdrive
• Zhejiang Laifu
• Nidec-Shimpo
• Cone Drive

Market Participants

• Beijing Precision Gearbox Technology Institute (BHDI)
• Beijing Zhong Ke Ke Mei Precision Gearbox Limited Liability Company
• China Precision Gearbox (CHD®)
• Motion Control Products
• Nabtesco
• Nidec-Shimpo
• Parker Bayside
• Suzhou Green Precision Gearbox Technology Co., Ltd.
• Totel Industry Group / Ningbo Haishu Totel Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd.

Key Topics

• Precision Gearbox
• Precision Strain Wave
• Reducer Gearboxes
• RV and RD Reducers
• Industrial Robotic Drive

 Table of Contents

Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearbox Market Executive Summary 16
Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes Market Driving Forces 16
Two Main Types of Speed Reducer Used In Robotics: RV Reducer and Harmonic Reducer 18
Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes Market Shares 18
Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes Market Forecasts 24

1. Harmonic Gearbox: Market Description and Market Dynamics 27
1.1 Precision Gearbox Precision Gearing 27
1.2 Precision Gearbox Concept of Total Motion Control 33

2. Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearbox Market Shares and Market Forecasts 34
2.1 Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes Market Driving Forces 34
2.1.1 Two Main Types of Speed Reducer Used In Robotics: RV Reducer and Harmonic Reducer 36
2.2 Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes Market Shares 36
2.2.1 List of Precision Gearbox Companies by Country 43
2.3 Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes Market Forecasts 44
2.4 Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes Market Application Analysis 47
2.4.1 VTOL Gearbox 50
2.4.2 Harmonic Drives in Industrial Robots 51
2.4.3 Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearbox Robotic Applications 58
2.4.4 Harmonic Gear Robotics 59
2.4.5 Precision Gearbox Reduction Gear SCARA Robots Applications 60
2.4.6 Precision Gearbox Applications 61
2.5 Cup-, Hat- Pancake Type Precision Gearbox Component Sets 63
2.5.1 Harmonic Drive® Pancake Gearing Components includes: Ultra Flat Gearing Components 66
2.5.2 Hat Style 69
2.6 Precision Gearbox Strain Wave Gears Prices 71
2.6.1 Shopping Results 71
2.7 RV Precision Reducer 74
2.8 Precision Gearbox Strain Wave Gears Regional Market Analysis 78
2.8.1 China 81
2.8.2 Chinese Pearl River Delta Region Implements Wave Of Automation 83
2.8.3 Robot Situation in China 85
2.8.4 Japanese Economy Continued To Recover 87

3. Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearbox Product Descriptions 88
3.1 Precision Gearbox Product Applications: 88
3.1.1 Precision Gearbox Reduction Gear Communication Protocols 89
3.1.2 Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearbox Product 90
3.1.3 The Components 91
3.1.4 Cup-Type Harmonic Drive 95
3.1.5 Superior Gear Performance Using an S Tooth Design 95
3.2 Motion Control 98
3.3 Leaderdrive 99
3.3.1 Leaderdrive Strain wave reducer principle 101
3.3.2 Leaderdrive Characteristics of Strain Wave Reducer 102
3.4 Zhejiang Laifu Reduction Gearbox 105
3.4.1 Zhejiang Laifu Advantages of Reduction Gearbox 106
3.4.2 Zhejiang Laifu Harmonic Gear Reducer Applications 109

4. Harmonic Reduction Gearbox Technology 112
4.1 RV Reducer 112
4.2 Harmonic Drive® Strain Wave Gearing 114
4.2.1 Harmonic Speed Reducer Is Core Part Of The Robot That Achieves Movement 118
4.3 Harmonic Reduction Gear Meshing Theory 122

5. Precision Gearbox Reduction Gear Company Profiles 124
5.1 Beijing CTKM Harmonic Drive 124
5.2 Beijing Precision Gearbox Technology Institute (BHDI) 127
5.2.1 Beijing Precision Gearbox Technology Institute 127
5.3 Beijing Zhong Ke Ke Mei Precision Gearbox Limited Liability Company 128
5.4 China Precision Gearbox (CHD®) 129
5.5 Cone Drive 130
5.6 Precision Gearbox LLC 133
5.6.1 Precision Gearbox High-Precision, Zero-Backlash Strain Wave Gears Application Areas 141
5.6.2 Harmonic Drive® Gear Units 141
5.6.3 Precision Gearbox Miniature Gear Units 147
5.6.4 Precision Gearbox CSF-2XH 147
5.6.5 Precision Gearbox CSF-1U-CC 147
5.6.6 Precision Gearbox CSF-1U-CC-F 148
5.6.7 Precision Gearbox CSF-1U 148
5.6.8 Precision Gearbox CSF-2UP 149
5.6.9 Precision Gearbox Servo Mount Gearheads 150
5.6.10 Precision Gearbox Customers 150
5.6.11 Precision Gearbox Sales by Product Segment 155
5.6.12 Precision Gearbox Precision Speed Reducers 157
5.6.13 Precision Gearbox Sales by Application Segment 158
5.7 Leader Precision Drive 177
5.7.1 Leader Precision Drive Revenue 181
5.7.2 Leader Harmonious Drive Systems Harmonic Reduction Gear Meshing Theory 182
5.7.3 Leader Precision Drive Revenue 183
5.8 Motion Control Products 183
5.9 Nabtesco 189
5.9.1 Nabtesco 189
5.9.2 Nabtesco Wind Turbine RV and RD Reducers for Generators 198
5.9.3 Nabtesco Wind Turbine RV and RD Reducers for Rotary Tables 199
5.9.4 Nabtesco's Cycloidal Gear Technology 201
5.9.5 Nabtesco Revenue 202
5.10 Nidec-Shimpo 208
5.10.1 Nidec-Shimpo Amereica 213
5.11 Parker Bayside 213
5.12 Sumitomo Heavy Industries 214
5.12.1 Sumitomo Heavy Industries Revenue 217
5.13 Suzhou Green Precision Gearbox Technology Co., Ltd. 219
5.14 Totel Industry Group / Ningbo Haishu Totel Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd. 220
5.15 Zhejiang Laifu Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearbox 221
5.16 List of Selected United States Precision Gearbox Reduction Gear Companies 223

List of Figures

Figure 1. Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes Market Driving Forces 17
Figure 2. Harmonic Reduction Gearbox Market Shares, Dollars, Worldwide, First Three Quarters 2017 19
Figure 3. Harmonic Reduction Gearbox Market Shares, Dollars, Worldwide, First Three Quarters 2017 20
Figure 4. Precision Gearbox Large US Customers 22
Figure 5. Precision Gearbox Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearboxes Market Shares, Dollars, US, 2017 23
Figure 6. Precision Gearbox Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearboxes, Forecasts, Dollars, Worldwide, 2018-2024 26
Figure 7. Precision Gearbox Precision Gearing Features 28
Figure 8. Precision Gearbox Reduction Gear Description 29
Figure 9. Precision Gearbox Precision Gearing Functions 30
Figure 10. Precision Gearbox Gearbox Market Classification By Type 31
Figure 11. Precision Gearbox Gearbox Market Classification By Application 31
Figure 12. Harmonic Gearbox Robot Manufacturer Application Benefits 32
Figure 13. Precision Gearbox Concept of Total Motion Control 33
Figure 14. Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes Market Driving Forces 35
Figure 15. Harmonic Reduction Gearbox Market Shares, Dollars, Worldwide, First Three Quarters 2017 37
Figure 16. Harmonic Reduction Gearbox Market Shares, Dollars, Worldwide, First Three Quarters 2017 38
Figure 17. Precision Gearbox Large US Customers 40
Figure 18. Precision Gearbox Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearboxes Market Shares, Dollars, US, 2017 41
Figure 19. Precision Gearbox Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearbox, Market Shares, Dollars, US, 2017 42
Figure 20. United States Precision Gearbox Reduction Gears 44
Figure 21. Precision Gearbox Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearboxes, Forecasts, Dollars, Worldwide, 2018-2024 46
Figure 22. Precision Gearbox Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearbox Market Forecasts, Dollars, Worldwide, 2018-2024 47
Figure 23. Precision Gearbox Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearbox Market Forecasts, Dollars, Worldwide, 2018-2024 48
Figure 24. Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes Wind Turbine Functions 52
Figure 25. Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearbox Market Applications 53
Figure 26. Precision Gearbox Strain Wave Gears Antenna System Features 54
Figure 27. Precision Gearbox Strain Wave Gears Robotics Features 54
Figure 28. Precision Gearbox Strain Wave Gears Types 55
Figure 29. Precision Gearbox Gearbox Applications 56
Figure 30. Global Industrial Robot Unit Sales 59
Figure 31. Precision Gearbox Applications 61
Figure 32. Precision Gearbox Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearbox Market Forecasts, Dollars, Worldwide, 2018-2024 63
Figure 33. Harmonic Drive® CSF Series Gearing Features 65
Figure 34. Harmonic Drive® CSD Series Gearing Features 66
Figure 35. Harmonic Drive® Series Flexspline of the Pancake Type Gearing Features 67
Figure 36. Harmonic Drive® FD Series Differential Gear Features 68
Figure 37. Harmonic Gearing Hat Style Features 69
Figure 38. Hat Style Harmonic Gearing SHF-2A-GR Series Features 70
Figure 39. RV and RD Reducers Market Shares, Dollars, Worldwide, First Three Quarters 2017 74
Figure 40. Robotic RV Reducers 75
Figure 41. Robotic RV Reducer Applications 76
Figure 42. Precision Gearbox Strain Wave Gears Consolidated Sales by Regional Segment 79
Figure 43. Precision Gearbox Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearbox Regional Market Segments, 2017 80
Figure 44. Precision Gearbox Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearbox Regional Market Segments, 2017 81
Figure 45. Precision Gearbox Product Applications: 88
Figure 46. Precision Gearbox Reduction Gear Drives Communication Protocols 89
Figure 47. Precision Gearbox Gearbox System Features: 90
Figure 48. Wave Generator 91
Figure 49. Flexspline 92
Figure 50. Precision Gearbox ® Strain Wave Gear Flexspline 93
Figure 51. Circular Spline 94
Figure 52. Gear Performance Using an S Tooth Design 96
Figure 53. Precision Gearbox Applications 97
Figure 54. Motion Control Gearboxes 98
Figure 55. Leaderdrive Drive Reduction Gearboxes Products 99
Figure 56. Leaderdrive Drive Reduction Gearboxes 100
Figure 57. Leaderdrive Harmonic Meshing Tooth Shape, “P Type Tooth” 103
Figure 58. Leaderdrive P Type Tooth Benefits 104
Figure 59. Zhejiang Laifu Reduction Gearbox 105
Figure 60. Zhejiang Laifu Advantages of Reduction Gearbox 106
Figure 61. Reduction Gearbox Zhejiang Laifu Advantages of Transmission Speed Ratio 107
Figure 62. Baidu Strain Relief Reducer 110
Figure 63. Baidu Strain Relief Reducer Components 111
Figure 64. RV Reducer 113
Figure 65. Strain Wave Gear 115
Figure 66. Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes United States Wave Generator 116
Figure 67. Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes United States Flexspline 117
Figure 68. Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes United States Circular Spline 118
Figure 69. Composition of Harmonic Drive: Three Basic Components 120
Figure 70. How Precision Gearbox Reduction Gearboxes Work 121
Figure 71. Beijing CTKM Precision Gearbox Target Markets 125
Figure 72. Cone Drive Harmonic Strain Wave Gear Satellite Communication 130
Figure 73. Cone Drive Harmonic Strain Wave Gear Industries 131
Figure 74. Cone Drive Harmonic Strain Wave Gear Industries Targeted 132
Figure 75. Precision Gearbox Revenue 133
Figure 76. Precision Gearbox Gearbox Applications 134
Figure 77. Precision Gearbox Sector Analysis 140
Figure 78. Precision Gearbox High-Precision, Zero-Backlash Strain Wave Gears Application Areas 141
Figure 79. Harmonic Drive® Features: 142
Figure 80. Precision Gearbox Key Features CSF-2UH: 143
Figure 81. Precision Gearbox CSF-2UH 144
Figure 82. Precision Gearbox Tighter Integration Into The Customer’s Housing Or Machine Structure. 145
Figure 83. Precision Gearbox High-Precision, Zero-Backlash Strain Wave Gears146
Figure 84. Precision Gearbox Large US Customers 151
Figure 85. Precision Gearbox inside Kuka 3,4,5 Axis Industrial Robot 151
Figure 86. Precision Gearbox Industry Colleagues 152
Figure 87. Precision Gearbox Strain Wave Gears 153
Figure 88. Precision Gearbox Strain Wave Gears Consolidated Sales by Regional Segment 154
Figure 89. Precision Gearbox Sales by Product Segment 155
Figure 90. Precision Gearbox Division Sales 156
Figure 91. Precision Speed Reducers 157
Figure 92. Precision Gearbox Sales by Application Segment 158
Figure 93. Precision Gearbox Sales by Application Segment, 2018 Q3 159
Figure 94. Precision Gearbox Factors in Change in Operating Income Q3 2017 160
Figure 95. Precision Gearbox Net Sales FY 2018/3 160
Figure 96. Precision Gearbox Sales Forecast by Division 161
Figure 97. Precision Gearbox Net Sales FY 2018/3 and Forecast by Division 162
Figure 98. Precision Gearbox Net Sales FY 2014/3 to 2017/3 with 2018/3 Forecast 163
Figure 99. Precision Gearbox Revenue Segment Analysis: Harmonic Drives, Mechatronics, and Planetary Drives 164
Figure 100. Precision Gearbox Global Bases 165
Figure 101. Precision Gearbox Global Bases Forecast of Industrial Robot Sales 166
Figure 102. Precision Gearbox Business Platforms 167
Figure 103. Harmonic Drive. ABB, Kuka Industrial Robot Customers in Germany, Boost from Industry 4,0 168
Figure 104. Precision Gearbox Current Production Structure 169
Figure 105. Precision Gearbox Future Production Structure 170
Figure 106. Precision Gearbox Plants 171
Figure 107. Precision Gearbox Concept of Total Motion Control 172
Figure 108. Precision Gearbox Growth Trajectory 173
Figure 109. Precision Gearbox Positioning 174
Figure 110. Harmonic Drive 175
Figure 111. Precision Gearbox Applications 176
Figure 112. Leader Harmonious Drive Co. Ltd Strain Wave Reducer Functions 178
Figure 113. Leader Harmonious Drive Co. Ltd Strain Wave Reducer Applications 179
Figure 114. Leader Precision Drive Buildings 179
Figure 115. Motion Control Gearbox 184
Figure 116. Motion Control SW1RU Harmonic Gearbox Features 184
Figure 117. Motion Control SW1RU Harmonic Gearbox Applications 185
Figure 118. Motion Control Products Specifications 186
Figure 119. Motion Control Customers 188
Figure 120. Nabtesco Gear Reducer Unit Sales 190
Figure 121. Nabtesco RV and RD Reducers Features 191
Figure 122. Nabtesco RV and RD Reducer 192
Figure 123. Nabtesco RV and RD Reducers Features 193
Figure 124. Nabtesco RV and RD Reducers Backlash 194
Figure 125. Nabtesco RV and RD Reducers Angular Transmission Accuracy 195
Figure 126. Nabtesco RV and RD Reducers 197
Figure 127. Nabtesco Wind Turbine RV and RD YAW Drive Mechanism Reducers for Generators 198
Figure 128. The Nabtesco RV and RD Reducers for Rotary Tables Features 200
Figure 129. Nabtesco's Cycloidal Gear Technology 201
Figure 130. Nabtesco Cycloidal Gear Technology Features 201
Figure 131. Nabtesco's Cycloidal Gearing Technology 202
Figure 132. Nabtesco Revenue by Segment 204
Figure 133. Nabtesco Revenue 2013 to 2016 206
Figure 134. Nidec-Shimpo Harmonic Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearbox 208
Figure 135. Nidec-Shimpo Harmonic Precision Gearboxes 209
Figure 136. Nidec-Shimpo Harmonic Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearbox Revenue by Segment 212
Figure 137. Parker Bayside Drive Reduction Gearbox 213
Figure 138. Sumitomo Heavy Industries Precision Gearbox 215
Figure 139. Sumitomo Heavy Industries Pyramid 218
Figure 140. Totel Industry Group / Ningbo Haishu Totel Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd. Precision Gearbox Gearing 221
Figure 141. Zhejiang Laifu Harmonic Reducer Features 222