Efficiency Calculation of Cycloid Reducer with Plastic Meshing Elements

Cycloid power transmissions belong to the group that can be classified as planetary gear trains. These power transmissions, reducers, are part of the latest generation of power transmissions, related to the conventional ones. Cycloid power transmissions have a wide range of applications in industries such as transporters, robots, satellites, etc. This research presents an analysis of various analytical methods that can be used in determining cycloid drive efficiency. The paper explores the most well-known mathematically formulated procedures and compares them to the experimental results conducted in the testing of cycloid reducer which is made mainly of plastic parts meshing parts and housing is made of plastic. The procedures presented for assessing efficiency share a common characteristic: they all calculate losses attributed to friction between the bearing and the eccentric shaft, the friction on rollers of the ring gear, and the friction on output rollers. The presented research points to the most suitable method for efficiency calculation. The experimental testing is conducted for one standard-sized reducer which is designed and manufactured specially for this research. The main product of the paper is giving clear guidelines for plastic cycloid reducer efficiency calculation. The paper shows that plastic used in the tested reducer can be used instead of metals in sensitive reducer applications.