Strain Wave Gears: Key Concepts & Technical Insights

April 7, 2025
What is a strain wave gear? What are the design and performance characteristics? How do you calculate gear ratio? Harmonic Drive’s Eugene Niselson explains the basics.

Rehana Begg, editor-in-chief of Machine Design, hosts a discussion on strain wave gear technology with Eugene Niselson, director of sales, U.S. Eastern Region, at Harmonic Drive. With over two decades of experience in high-precision motion control, Niselson explains the fundamentals of harmonic drive gears, a market-leading solution known for its zero-backlash and high reduction ratio capabilities.

Strain wave gears, also called harmonic drive gears, consist of three key components: the wave generator, flexspline, and circular spline. This unique design allows for highly accurate and repeatable motion, making them essential for applications requiring precision. Niselson highlights the benefits of this technology, including unlimited fatigue life and high efficiency in a single-stage reduction system.

The conversation also covers design considerations, such as load support and material durability, ensuring optimal performance in advanced industrial and medical applications. With Harmonic Drive’s expertise and more than 60 years of innovation, strain wave gearing continues to set the standard in precision motion solutions.

For a better understanding of how this technology works and its real-world applications, watch the full video. 

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