A cycloidal drive is a mechanical speed-reduction gearbox in which an eccentrically mounted cycloidal disc engages a ring of pins to transmit motion at a high reduction ratio. It offers low backlash, high torque density and good shock resistance, making it a favoured actuator component in robot joints and precision positioning systems. Compared with planetary gearing it tolerates impact loads and distributes force across many contact points.
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- Motion is generated by an eccentric input shaft driving a lobed disc whose rotation is transferred through output pins, yielding smooth high reductions in one stage. The many simultaneous contact points give excellent shock tolerance and durability, which is why cycloidal drives are widely used in industrial robot arms.