Over the past two decades, robotics in manufacturing has evolved into a strategic tool. In that relatively short span, the components that serve and drive robotics technology have evolved as well. Nidec Drive Technology Corporation knows a thing or two about that evolutionary process. From its legacy days as Nidec-Shimpo, the company has seen its product engineering and development emerge as a primary driver of robotics on the manufacturing floor.
“There is a growing need not just for motion itself, but for energy-efficient and smart functionality,” said Tomokazu Otsuka, Engineering Director for Nidec Drive Technology. “This evolution influenced our product development approach in two major ways. One is developing a system solution. Rather than just offering gear reducers, for example, we have more than 300 group companies that offer key components for this market. We are accelerating value-added system proposals, depending on the demand or requirement from the customer.”
Nidec‘s other approach is rapid market-driven product development. It combines Nidec’s broad portfolio with the team’s engineering expertise to deliver tailored product solutions for specific customer needs. “We tend to be very nimble and quick to react to the fast-paced market of robotics,” said Scott Ascher, national sales and marketing director for Nidec Drive Technology.
The Customer-Centric Approach
That product development skill was on display at the recent Automate show in Chicago in June. Nidec rolled out three significant product lines to service the robotics industry and continue to deliver on customer-centric needs.
The FLEXWAVE strain gear reducers feature a unique tooth profile to deliver high-precision motion control. “It’s a lightweight and compact design with zero backlash, creating high positioning accuracy,” said Otsuka. “This is made possible by our proprietary tooth profile and the precision machining technology. It's highly regarded in fields where absolute pressure is non-negotiable, such as medical robotics, aerospace, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.”
Also on display at Automate were the KINEX cycloidal reducers, which combine high-torque density and durability. “We utilize a cycloidal tooth profile where multiple teeth engage at the same time, allowing it to withstand sudden overload in demanding applications requiring heavy load and high duty cycles.”
“KINEX picks up where FLEXWAVE leaves off,” added Ascher. “FLEXWAVE is smaller and lighter because of where it’s used in the typical robotics arm. KINEX will tend to be at the base of the robot, where weight is not a factor, but where high lifecycle and low maintenance are important.”
Gearboxes Go Modular
Nidec’s tradition in planetary gear solutions has also taken a new direction in automation. Nidec’s approach combines inline and 90-degree angle gearboxes with a modular design while retaining the high-torque transmission that engineers require.
“One important area is the adaptability of the gearboxes,” Otsuka said. “For space-constrained machine tools, we have expanded our right-angle line applications while maintaining the higher-pressure applications for our inline models. This enhances design flexibility for our customers.”
Nidec also developed a unique mounting system for the motors driving planetary gearboxes. “The motors look the same, but the actual mounting dimensions are different by brand or by country market,” Otsuka said. “This mounting system can significantly reduce engineering time for our customers.”
“Rarely do we come across a motor that we can't meet the bolt circle diameter, the pilot diameter, the pilot depth, the bolt pattern, and other considerations,” Ascher said. “That allows for horizontal or vertical orientation and mounting while you're putting it together. Because it is a pilot fit, when you put it together, it is exactly centered where it needs to be. So when you clamp it all together, it's perfectly aligned.”
Connecting With Engineers
Equipment alignment is crucial, but so is alignment between Nidec’s product development team and the engineers they serve. Trade events such as Automate take product development off the printed page or the video screen and put it in the hands of the manufacturing engineers who will turn it into a more productive system. That’s why Nidec focused on Automate 2026 to bring these product innovations to the engineering audience.
“When a customer comes to the Nidec booth, the first thing they like to do is pick up our gearboxes. They like to play with it and analyze it. And then they start asking questions,” Ascher said. “A lot of times, the information you get from them isn't in a catalog. They'll tell you what they need and what is missing from your product. And that's great, great feedback to get. We turn that information over to Tomo and his team, and to the engineering and R&D teams in Japan.”
“The show provides value through hands-on experience, and a direct dialogue between real-world challenges and our engineers,” Otsuka said. “Products such as FLEXWAVE and KINEX cannot be fully captured on the catalog or website specification sheet. The demo on the show floor at Automate allowed the customers to experience these innovations first-hand. That builds trust right on the spot.”
Nidec Drive Technology Top
FLEXWAVE / Strain Wave Technology
https://www.nidec-dtc.com/product-category/strain-wave/
KINEX / Cycloidal Technology
https://www.nidec-dtc.com/product-category/cycloidal/
