Ultra-Small Harmonic Drive – Precision Manufacturing with High-End Materials
HONPINE’s SHD and CSF series of ultra-small harmonic drives mark a breakthrough in compact harmonic drive technology. Comparable in size to a paperclip, these drives are available in four models (03, 05, 08, and 11), each offering multiple input/output configurations (shaft and flange) and gear ratios (30, 50, 80, and 100) to meet diverse torque and speed requirements—resulting in dozens of product variations.
How HONPINE Overcame Production Challenges in Ultra-Small Harmonic Drives
1. Breakthrough in Micro Flex Spline Bearing Technology
Conventional multi-stage machining is unsuitable for micro flexible bearings due to their thin, small-diameter design, which introduces dimensional errors and deformation risks. Instead, HONPINE developed a single-setup composite machining process in collaboration with a leading bearing research institute. By integrating grinding and laser heat treatment into precision machining centers, the company achieved a streamlined workflow—turning, heat treatment, grinding, and superfinishing—all completed in one operation, ensuring high precision and efficiency.
2. Innovation in Ultra-Micro Crossed Roller Bearings
Standard manufacturing methods were inadequate for ultra-small crossed roller bearings. HONPINE’s embedded split-raceway design eliminated the need for specialized micro-grinding equipment, solving the challenge of machining ultra-fine raceways through structural innovation.
3. Advanced Material Science & Heat Treatment
Years of R&D enabled HONPINE to optimize the hardness-toughness balance critical for fatigue resistance in harmonic drives. By analyzing stress accumulation (post-machining) and dissipation (pre-machining), the company developed a proprietary heat treatment process now used in mass production.
4. Proprietary Manufacturing Techniques
Post-Deformation Finishing: A novel method for flex spline tooth machining ensures uniform contact, eliminating inconsistencies in traditional steel flex splines.
S-Shaped Tooth Profile Design: Combining kinematics, tribology, and lubrication science, HONPINE created simulation software to generate optimized S-curves, improving load distribution, reducing friction, and extending lifespan.
Performance & Applications
HONPINE’s ultra-small harmonic drives leverage high-end materials and precision engineering for unmatched durability and efficiency. Their low-maintenance, high-performance design makes them ideal for:
Medical & Healthtech (surgical robots, diagnostics)
Service & Light Industrial Automation (AGVs, precision actuators)
Humanoid Robotics (e.g., mechanical finger joints, where the CSF series excels).
With growing demand for compact, high-torque solutions, HONPINE’s drives are setting new standards in miniaturized motion control.
Double Click
HONPINE Harmonic Drive’s Backdriveability Enables Technological Breakthroughs in Multiple FieldsTo achieve safe, compliant, and flexible human-robot collaboration—ensuring environmental adaptability and operator comfort—merely obtaining torque feedback from the robot/environment is insufficient. High backdrivability in robots/integrated joint modules is often essential. HONPINE harmonic drives provide new opportunities in human-robot interaction through superior backdrivability.
How to set the maximum current limit for the robot joint moduleDuring the operation of a robot joint module, properly setting the maximum current limit is crucial for ensuring stable operation and extending its service life. This article details how to set the maximum current limit for the joint module via the driver software.
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- HONPINE Anti-Backlash Planetary Gearbox: Redefining CNC Machine Tool Boundaries with Ultra-High Bending StiffnessAmong gearbox performance metrics, bending stiffness (often overlooked compared to precision and torsional stiffness) directly determines the limits of CNC machine tool machining. HONPINE’s anti-backlash planetary gearbox is redefining these limits with its ultra-high parameters.
- Breaking Precision Barriers: How HONPINE's Anti-Backlash Planetary Reducer Outperforms Harmonic & RV ReducerThe ultra-high precision anti-backlash planetary reducer has an angle transmission accuracy of up to 7 arc seconds and a positioning accuracy of up to 5 arc seconds, which is much higher than the accuracy level of current harmonic reducers and RV reducers. Its torsional rigidity and main bearing overturning rigidity are much stronger than those of RV reducers, and the service life is longer than that of traditional harmonic reducers. Ultra-high precision anti-backlash planetary reducers give robots and machine tools better performance. They push the accuracy limit of ultra-high rigidity reducers to 15 arc seconds, filling the market gap and making ultra-high precision reducers available for high-end industrial machines.
Cup-Type Harmonic Drive Effectively Addresses Short Lifespan Issues of Harmonic DriversIn industrial robots, harmonic drives are widely used in joint transmission systems due to their high precision, high torque transmission, and smooth operation. These characteristics make harmonic drives an ideal choice for applications requiring precise control and high performance, such as industrial robots, aerospace equipment, and precision instruments. To solve the problem of fatigue failure and short lifespan of the flexspline—a critical component in harmonic drives—HONPINE has designed a cup-type harmonic drive.- Robot Joint Module Parameter Power-Off Saving Operation GuideIn the daily use of robot joint modules, the stable preservation of parameters is the key factor to ensure the continuous and efficient operation of the equipment. For robot joint modules, mastering the correct parameter power-off saving method can effectively avoid data loss caused by accidental power failure.
RV Reducer Gearbox: The Core Technology Behind Industrial Robot PrecisionThe RV reducer gearbox is developed on the basis of traditional cycloid planetary transmission. Its reduction structure consists of the first-stage planetary reducer and the second-stage cycloid pinwheel reducer. It uses at least two eccentric shafts to connect the secondary reduction mechanism. The housing and cycloid pinwheel are matched and driven by solid castings and steel components, which form a closed differential gear train. The RV reducer gearbox not only overcomes the shortcomings of general cycloid pinwheel transmission but also has a series of advantages such as high precision (backlash less than 1 arc minute), high rigidity, high durability, high output density (high torque and compact), wide reduction ratio range, and low vibration.
24V 48V Robot Joint Module:Choose the Write Voltage for Robots and AutomationWhen selecting a robot joint module, voltage matching is a key factor that directly affects the performance, safety, compatibility, and operational stability of the equipment. Electrical components such as robots, servo motors, and controllers are designed to operate within a specific voltage range. In sufficient voltage can lead to insufficient power, slow response, or even failure to start; excessive voltage may burn out the circuit or shorten its life. HONPINE's standard joint modules include two voltages: 24V and 48V. They each play a unique role to ensure the efficient operation of robots and automation equipment.- Brushless Motor is an Important Component of Robot Joint ModuleAs manufacturing technology rapidly advances toward digitalization and intelligence, the robotics industry continues to evolve, introducing innovations that enhance automation in various fields. From household cleaning robots and industrial robotic arms to specialized welding robots and advanced legged robots, these machines are becoming increasingly integral to daily life and production. At the core of robotic systems, robot joint motors, reducers, and drivers stand out as the most critical components.
- Top-Hat Type Harmonic Drive Reducer: Innovative Design Prolongs Service LifeThe harmonic drive reducer is a high-performance reducer featuring a compact structure, large transmission ratio, light weight, minimal backlash, and high transmission accuracy. It is widely used in high-precision fields such as industrial robotics, medical equipment, aerospace, and intelligent manufacturing. As a key core component of industrial robots, its performance directly affects motion control accuracy, operational stability, and energy efficiency. The top-hat type harmonic drive reducer is developed based on the conventional harmonic drive reducer, with enhanced rigidity and extended service life.
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