Shimpo-Nidec Drives

Inline Planetary Gearboxes

VR Series variants

NIDEC-SHIMPO expanded from its early roots in mechanical powertrains into higher precision gearing as the motion control market and servo motor technology started to rapidly evolve. Our initial planetary gearbox series were developed to specifically serve the needs of our major robotics customers in Japan and other areas of southeast Asia. During this product expansion, NIDEC-SHIMPO was able to leverage our production engineering expertise and high volume manufacturing capabilities to become the dominant precision planetary gearbox supplier within the robotics segment and throughout the Asia-Pacific.

NIDEC-SHIMPO followed this early development with the introduction of a high-precision planetary series variety that was more suited to compete throughout the global marketplace. The base design platform for each of these series incorporated a modularity of subassemblies and standardization of components that facilitated high volume, efficient production.

With our inline planetary portfolio, our customers have access to a wide variety of frames sizes, ratios, and many configurations are unmatched across the industry. For performance, quality and overall value, look no further than NIDEC-SHIMPO.

VR Series, Summary Level Table

Product Series		Frame Size	Backlash Rating	Reduction Ratios
VRSF Inline Helical planetary Economy class		Smallest: B (60mm) Largest: E (170mm) Variety: 4	Different levels ≤ 3 arc-min ≤ 5 arc-min ≤ 15 arc-min	Minimum: 3 Maximum: 81 Variety: 9
VRL Inline Helical planetary General purpose		Smallest: 050 Largest: 235 Variety: 7	≤ 5 arc-min	Minimum 3 Maximum 100 Variety 22
VRB Inline Helical planetary General purpose, simple mount		Smallest: 042 Largest: 220 Variety: 7	≤ 3 arc-min	Minimum: 3 Maximum: 100 Variety: 22
VRS Inline Helical planetary Highest radial, axial load capacity		Smallest: 042 Largest: 240 Variety: 8	≤ 3 arc-min	Minimum: 3 Maximum: 100 Variety: 22
VRT Inline Helical planetary Compact, ISO Flange Mounting		Smallest: 064 Largest: 285 Variety: 7	≤ 3 arc-min	Minimum: 4 Maximum: 100 Variety: 19
Food/Washdown Duty Optional features for food or washdown environments		VRL: 070, 090, 120 VRB: 060, 090, 115 Others available upon request	≤ 3 arc-min	Minimum: 3 Maximum: 100 Variety: 12

Right-angle Planetary Gearboxes

EV Series variants

To expand the potential configurations and overall solutions that we could offer our customers, NIDEC-SHIMPO has developed an impressive right-angle planetary gearbox offering. The core right-angle products are established from the base design of their inline equivalents. Similar to our Inline offering,  our EV right-angle series have some differences in terms of internal bearing design, output mounting, among others that differentiate each series from the other. The different series are available in the same frame size variety and most of the ratios as offered with the inline.

The EV right-angle product family is an excellent option when space is a key design constraint for the equipment manufacturer. With our rapidly growing customer base in the packaging, general material handling and machine tool industries, NIDEC-SHIMPO is seeing accelerating demand for our right-angle planetary gearboxes. To manage this growing demand, NIDEC-SHIMPO has established stocking and assembly capabilities in its North America build facility in Glendale Heights, IL. Please contact NIDEC-SHIMPO directly, so that we can help you size your application and inform you which series, frame sizes, and ratios are immediately available

Please review the performance specifications below and consult NIDEC-SHIMPO for any additional details.

EV Series, Summary Level Table

Product Series		Frame Size	Backlash Rating	Reduction Ratios
NEV Right-angle, Spiral bevel/Planetary Economy class		Smallest: B (60mm) Largest: E (170mm) Variety: 4	<30 arc-minutes	Minimum: 3 Maximum: 81 Variety: 9
EVL Right-angle, Spiral bevel/Planetary Configuration General purpose		Smallest: 070 Largest: 235 Variety: 6	1 Stage: <6 arc-minutes 2 Stage: <9 arc-minutes	Minimum: 3 Maximum: 100 Variety: 22
EVB Right-angle, Spiral bevel/Planetary General purpose, simple mount		Smallest: 060 Largest: 220 Variety: 6	1 Stage: <4 arc-minutes 2 Stage: <7 arc-minutes	Minimum: 3 Maximum: 100 Variety: 22
EVS Right-angle, Spiral bevel/Planetary Highest radial, axial load capacity		Smallest: 060 Largest: 240 Variety: 7	1 Stage: <4 arc-minutes 2 Stage: <7 arc-minutes	Minimum: 3 Maximum: 100 Variety: 22
EVT Right-angle, Spiral bevel/Planetary Highest radial, axial load capacity		Smallest: 064 Largest: 255 Variety: 6	1 Stage: <4 arc-minutes 2 Stage: <7 arc-minutes	Minimum: 4 Maximum: 100 Variety: 20

Strain Wave (harmonic) gear units and component sets

WP Series variants, FLEXWAVE product family

Achieving new heights in compact, zero backlash gear technology. NIDEC-SHIMPO has had a long and storied history supplying the leading robotics and machine tool manufacturers in Japan. Our loyal customers within these industries strongly urged us to develop our own strain wave gear technology, and leverage our primary competencies – modularity and flexibility of the core design and consistent production in mass volume – to help them become more competitive in the global marketplace. After extensive effort to refine harmonic gear technology and to manufacture at a level that exceeds our customers’ expectations, NIDEC-SHIMPO is proud to introduce our new FLEXWAVE product line.

The NIDEC-SHIMPO FLEXWAVE is a very compact harmonic gear reduction mechanism that achieves zero backlash, as well as exceptional accuracy and repeatability. The FLEXWAVE consists of three major internal elements – the elliptical wave generator, the flexspline, and the circular spline. The elasticity properties of the flexspline and the teeth differential between the flexspline and the circular spline result in the unique reduction characteristics. When compared to other reduction technologies, the FLEXWAVE offers the following advantages:

• Zero backlash
• High efficiency ratings
• High reduction ratios in a compact footprint
• Exceptional repeatability and positional accuracy
• Light weight with superior torque density

These characteristics enable the FLEXWAVE to be the superior choice when sizing and selecting the proper reduction technology for ROBOTICS, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, SEMICONDUCTORand CIRCUIT MANUFACTURING, MACHINE TOOLS or any ASSEMBLY AUTOMATION applications requiring fine positioning.

Flexwave Harmonic Gear Technology: Operating Principles | Structural Overview | FLEXWAVE Brochure

WP Series, Summary Level Table

Product Series		Frame Size	Reduction Ratios	Torque Output	Housing Style
WPC Component sub-assembly		Smallest: 35mm Largest: 80mm Variety: 5	Minimum: 50:1 Maximum: 120:1 Variety: 4	23Nm ~ 346Nm	Closed
WPS Simple contained assembly		Smallest: 35mm Largest: 80mm Variety: 5	Minimum: 50:1 Maximum: 120:1 Variety: 4	23Nm ~ 346Nm	Open
WPU Complete unit assembly		Smallest: 35mm Largest: 80mm Variety: 5	Minimum: 50:1 Maximum: 120:1 Variety: 4	23Nm ~ 346Nm	Closed Open (input shaft) Open (input shaft)

Right-angle Worm Gearboxes

EJ Series variants, worm gear family

NIDEC-SHIMPO has been at the forefront of developing gear technology to fill the requirements of our OEM customers. Our close partnerships with our installed customer base provided much insight into their evolving need for more high-precision right-angle gearing options. In order to fill that need, NIDEC-SHIMPO expanded upon our right angle product offering to include a variety of high-precision worm gearboxes, known as our EJ Series.

These servo grade speed reducers are ideal for the most challenging of motion control applications. Each series incorporates a globoidal worm gear mesh design in order to achieve the torque handling capacity and the highest levels of precision that our SHIMPO customers have come to expect from us. The input design of our EJ right-angle gearbox applies the same concept of motor modularity that is common across our High Precision product family, meaning our customers and distribution partners get the same level of flexibility, product variety, and overall availability that is unparalleled within our industry.

Advantages of the EJ Series platform design;

• Quiet operation, in comparison to other competitive worm gearing
• Compact, with exact reduction ratios
• High torsional rigidity and torque carrying capacity
• A reduced backlash feature, unique among right-angle gearheads
• Industry standard hollow bore output with other shafted options
• Extremely lightweight, optimized construction
• Maintenance free, lubrication for lifetime

These right-angle servo grade gearboxes are ideal for applications within custom assembly and test systems, packaging equipment, metal cutting and metal forming machinery, general purpose automotive, among many others. If your application requires the compact footprint of a right-angle worm gear without sacrificing on the performance, contact NIDEC-SHIMPO about the EJ Series today.

EJ Series Brochure

EJ Series, Summary Level Table

Product Series	EJM	EJH	EJP	EJS
	Economy Class	Heavy Industrial Class	High Precision Class	Hygienic Class
Series Features	Globoidal worm gear meshEconomy leader of category Aluminum housing Conventional precision range	Globoidal worm gear meshStrong internal structure Robust cast iron housing Low backlash option	Globoidal worm gear meshZero backlash option Optimal sound characteristics Performance leader of category	Globoidal worm gear meshIP69K rated aseptic design 316 stainless with food grade oil Various output options
Frame Size	Variety: 6	Variety: 5	Variety: 6	Variety: 5
Reduction Ratios	5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60	5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60	5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60	5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60
Nominal Output Torque (Nm)	29 – 505	35 – 475	35 – 480	41 – 396
Maximum Acceleration Torque (Nm)	33 – 614	46 – 663	46 – 660	47 – 721
Max. Input speed (rpm)	4000	4000	6000	3000
Backlash (Arc-min)	12 – 41	6 – 32	0 – 24	4 – 24
Output Hollow Bore Size (mm)	ø25.4 – 74.6	ø25 – 60	ø25 – 60	ø19 – 35

Rotary Index Tables

ST Series Variants

NIDEC-SHIMPO first developed its STH off-set hollow bore rotary gearbox for a variety of robotic handling applications that were commonly encountered within the semiconductor industry. When eventually released to general industry, this rotary stage gearbox design became extremely popular with many Custom Assembly and Test equipment builders. These OEM customers often wanted to apply the STH to a tooling fixture, end-effector, dial, etc., within their custom equipment. SHIMPO quickly expanded the variety of ratios supported for the series and the configurations available at the input side, in order to provide more flexibility and options for these turn-key projects.

SHIMPO has expanded its indexing product offering with the STR, to handle those applications that require larger overall torque carrying capacity with even finer levels of precision. To this day, we continue to look towards expanding this product category to better satisfy the needs of our loyal Custom Automation and Test OEM customers around the globe.

ST Series, Summary Level Table

0 arc-min

Series		Max Torque Range	Backlash Rating	Reduction Ratios
STH Hollow Output Rotary Indexer, Mid range accuracy and load handling		126Nm-170Nm	< 2 arc-min – < 4 arc-min	Range: 12:1-400:1 Variety: 14
STR Hollow Output Rotary Indexer, High accuracy and load handling		58Nm-6072Nm	0 arc-min	Range: 15:1-2000:1 Variety: 24

Traction Drives

The Ring-cone mechanical variable speed drive was one of the first technologies developed during NIDEC-SHIMPO’s storied past. Although the demand for mechanical variable speed drives has decreased over time, NIDEC-SHIMPO has been able to leverage the internal “traction drive” power train into more modern high-precision motion control applications for OEMs. NIDEC-SHIMPO has a few different series of traction drive utilizing different differential design (traditional cone-cam mechanism, planetary roller system, etc.).

The Traction Drive mechanism produces smooth rotation and eliminates speed irregularity due to the high frequency vibration inherent in gear transmission. This is how the traction drive provides high rotational accuracy with low noise. Transmission through either cones or planet rollers being contacted under pressure allows the system to eliminate backlash when paired with full closed loop control. This allows the differential to approach zero backlash and achieve extremely high positional accuracy. The traction drive technology, in summary, provides many benefits over your tradition planetary gearbox;

• Capable of handling higher input (>6,000 rpm, no problem) and output speeds
• Exceptionally smooth rotation for better speed control
• Higher reduction ratios in the 1st stage
• Variable speed output
• Much lower backlash (to the arc-sec)

Leveraging the full capabilities of the NIDEC Group motor portfolio, SHIMPO can supply a complete integrated drive package – traction drive, motor, sensors, encoders, etc. – depending on what is required for the application. For example our VGMR Series (planetary roller style) is an integrated drive assembly is a very popular solution for high speed color printer applications. The VGMR can provide the following performance benefits within this type of application;

• Speed variation: Negligible single color pitch irregularity (at single frequency) less than 0.1％ rms
• Precise position control by dual sensor control – Achieves less than 10μm on different drum sizes
• High reduction ratio: Reductions as low as 30:1 in 1 stage
• Requires no routine maintenance during the service life of the assembly
• Minimal footprint: Space savings – < 65mm Square at 0.3Nm of output torque
• Low power & heat generation : Highly efficient BLDC Motor integrated with Traction drive
• Low noise & vibration : Noise from Gear & Motor is less than 50dB (A scale･30cm)

There are many applications in an OEM environment where NIDEC-SHIMPO can customize the Traction Drive technology for our customers. Please contact us if you have any questions about a specific application, and we can evaluate what technology is the best fit from both a technical and commercial standpoint.

Cycloidal Gearbox

ERH Series Variants

The ERH series is a compact, robust cycloidal reducer designed for servo applications. This product features high reduction ratios in a compact form factor. Its key advantage is exceptional shock load capacity, which eliminates the need to oversize the reducer for that requirement. The dual pin housing of the ERH cycloidal provides the ability to adjust one wheel against the other, allowing us to reduce the output shaft backlash to less than 6 arc-minutes. Rolling contact contributes to minimal friction and high efficiency. Torque transmission elements experience compression—they do not shear. The long output shaft bearing span provides solid overhung load capability.

The ERH is ideal for applications operating in heavier industrial environments, but requiring servomotor mounting and good accuracy. Its compactness offers advantages against helical gearing, which requires additional stages to achieve higher reduction ratios. Its high efficiency against worm gears allows our customers to downsize and still enjoy larger output power. The end result is longer service life and tremendous energy saving.

Advantages of the ERH Series platform design;

• High efficiency cycloidal reducer design
• Exceptional shock load capacity
• Various mounting options: Base, Flange, Ring, Hollow
• Reduction ratios up to 71:1 offered in a single stage
• Assembled in the USA

Inline Cycloidal Gearboxes

ER 3000 Series variants, Circulute product family

The Circulute 3000 and our related products that utilize cycloidal gearing technology deliver the most robust solution in the most compact footprint. The main power train is comprised of an eccentric roller bearing that drives a wheel around a set of internal pins, keeping the reduction high and the rotational inertia low. The wheel incorporates a curved tooth profile instead of the more traditional involute tooth profile, which removes shear forces at any point of contact. This design introduces compression forces, instead of those shear forces that would exist with an involute gear mesh. That provides a number of performance benefits such as high shock load capacity (>500% of rating), minimal friction and wear, lower mechanical service factors, among many others. The cycloidal design also has a large output shaft bearing span, which provides exceptional overhung load capabilities without requiring any additional expensive components.

Cycloidal advantages over other styles of gearing;

• Capable of handling larger “shock” loads (>500%) of rating compared to worm, helical, etc.
• High reduction ratios and torque density in a compact dimensional footprint
• Exceptional “built-in” overhung load carrying capability
• High efficiency (>95%) per reduction stage
• Minimal reflected inertia to motor for longer service life
• Just ridiculously rugged as all get-out

The overall Circulute design proves to be extremely durable, and it requires minimal maintenance following installation. The Circulute is the most dependable reducer in the industrial marketplace, and it is a perfect fit for applications in heavy industry such as oil & gas, primary and secondary steel processing, industrial food production, metal cutting and forming machinery, wastewater treatment, extrusion equipment, among others.

Circulute Technology: Operating Principles | Product Features | Mounting Examples

3000 Series, Summary Level Table

Product Series		Input Power Range	C-Face Input Range [if flange mount]	Reduction Ratios
3000 Series, Standard Cycloidal gearbox Industrial duty for induction motors Various mount options		Minimum: 1/8 HP (.1 kW) Maximum: 60 HP (45 kW)	Smallest: 56C Largest: 280TC Also IEC flanges	Minimum: 11:1 Maximum: 357,911:1
3000 Series, DI Option Cycloidal gearbox Industrial duty for induction motors Various mount options		Minimum: 1/8 HP (.1 kW) Maximum: 39 HP (29 kW)	Smallest: 56C Largest: 280TC Also IEC flanges	Minimum: 11:1 Maximum: 357,911:1
3000 Series, Servo Cycloidal gearbox Servo motor mount Higher precision rating		Minimum: 1.92 HP (1.4 kW) Maximum: 36 HP (26.9 kW)	Not applicable	Minimum: 11:1 Maximum: 71:1
3000 Series, Pulley Cycloidal gearboxIndustrial duty for induction motors Pulley, Hollow and solid shaft styles		Minimum: 2.3 HP (1.7 kW) Maximum: 20.4 HP (15.2 kW)	Smallest: 56C Largest: 250TC	Minimum: 11:1 Maximum: 71:1
3000 Series, Overhead Cycloidal gearbox Aka, the “Chicken Drive” Special bearing design for load handling		Minimum: 1.6 HP (1.2 kW) Maximum: 5.9 HP (4.4 kW)	Smallest: 140TC Largest: 180TC	Minimum: 121:1 Maximum: 187:1
3000 Series, Custom OEM Products Cycloidal gearbox Servo motor mount Higher precision rating		Minimum: 1/8 HP (.1 kW) Maximum: 5.9 HP (4.4 kW)	Not applicable	Minimum: 33:1 Maximum: 5751:1

Mechanical Adjustable Speed Drive

RXC Series variants, Ring-cone product family

The NIDEC-SHIMPO Ring-cone has a strong advantage over the common electronic variable speed drives in certain performance aspects. The Ring-cone is a mechanical adjustable speed drive utilizing a ring and cone friction power train – hence the name. The internal drive assembly consists of an input disc, a set of planetary cones, a control ring, the cam disc and a pressure control cam. The Ring-cone has different sizes to handle motor power ranging between 1/4HP – 20HP, and nominal output torque ratings spanning 15 – 130,000 in-lbs. This unique drive provides a speed range of 0 – 800 RPM, and a cam mechanism that adjusts to the environment downstream and can withstand a certain amount of shock load.

With a variable frequency drive, the output torque remains constant from base speed down to the lower limit, whatever it may be for the application. However, with the Ring-cone mechanical variable speed drive the output torque increases as the speed drops. At the low speed range, the output torque approaches 500% of the motor rating providing large breakaway torque values. The mechanical drive is also capable of handling a 200% overload capacity throughout the entire speed range. This performance advantage allows the user to set a low speed that can help the drive package push through difficult areas.

Ring-cone Torque Curve

Although VFDs have become the default solution for industry and rightfully so, the mechanical variable speed drives has its niche in specific applications – such as extreme pumping, mixing, recycling, etc. – where its mechanical advantage and low maintenance requirements are an excellent fit. It is ideally suited for rugged, trouble free service in the worst environments including explosion proof, chemical processing, and washdown applications.