NPR-RIKEN Resin Gear Reducer Project Targets New Applications

Joint Development Targets Next-Generation Resin Reducer

On September 18, NPR-RIKEN Corporation and Harmonic Drive Systems Inc announced an agreement to jointly develop a next-generation Resin Strain Wave Gear Reducer that uses the properties of resin. With future commercialization in mind, the companies intend to create new products for applications that require further weight reduction and lower noise. The development combines NPR-RIKEN's manufacturing technology for super engineering plastics with Harmonic Drive Systems' product technology for strain wave gear reducers, bringing together complementary capabilities for a new generation of compact precision-control components.

Resin Technology Combines Two Specialized Technologies

The development will combine NPR-RIKEN Corporation's manufacturing expertise in super engineering plastics with Harmonic Drive Systems Inc's established product technology for strain wave gear reducers. These reducers are compact, lightweight precision-control reduction gears that are widely used in industrial robots and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. By applying resin to this component technology, the companies are pursuing a design approach centered on reducing weight while also addressing noise. The joint effort is intended to translate the material characteristics of resin into practical reducer products suitable for applications where conventional weight and noise considerations are increasingly important.

Target Applications Include Service Robots and Micromobility

The companies are targeting new application areas that include service robots, wearable devices, and micromobility. These applications can place particular importance on compact and lightweight components because the size and mass of mechanical systems can affect how products are designed and used. The planned Resin Strain Wave Gear Reducer is intended to support further weight reduction while also lowering noise, creating potential benefits for systems that operate in closer proximity to people. The companies are also considering safety during contact with people, with resin-based construction intended to improve safety characteristics in relevant applications while supporting broader efforts to develop new markets.

Weight Reduction Could Also Lower Power Consumption

Beyond reducing component mass, the companies aim to use resin to reduce power consumption through weight reduction. Lower mass can be particularly relevant in applications where mechanical components are repeatedly moved or carried as part of a larger system. The stated development objective therefore connects material selection with both mechanical performance and energy-related considerations. For service robots, wearable devices, and micromobility applications, the combination of lighter weight, lower noise, and improved safety in the event of contact with people could support product concepts that require different characteristics from conventional precision-control reduction gears.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The joint development could broaden the application range of strain wave gear reducers by combining precision reduction technology with resin-based weight reduction. Its relevance is particularly tied to emerging applications such as service robots, wearable devices, and micromobility, where component mass, noise, power consumption, and interaction with people can influence product design. The next important step is development toward commercially viable products, as stated by the companies, with future applications depending on how effectively the resin technology can deliver the targeted characteristics while maintaining the requirements of precision-control reduction gears. The effort also illustrates how material technology can be used to pursue new markets for established mechanical components.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are NPR-RIKEN and Harmonic Drive Systems developing?
The companies are jointly developing a next-generation Resin Strain Wave Gear Reducer designed to deliver lower weight and noise for emerging applications. The project combines NPR-RIKEN's manufacturing technology for super engineering plastics with Harmonic Drive Systems' product technology for strain wave gear reducers. These compact, lightweight precision-control reduction gears are widely used in industrial robots and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The new development is intended for potential use in service robots, wearable devices, and micromobility, while also targeting reduced power consumption through weight reduction and improved safety during contact with people.