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The Best Harmonic Drive System Review Site in the UK

UK Harmonic Drives is the company to come to if you are searching for the best harmonic drive system products in the UK. As one of the leading review sites with an enviable reputation in the industry, we are here to help you purchase the right product, whether you need it for robotic, electronic, machinery or any other applications.
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what is a harmonic drive system

Why Choose Us?

The harmonic drive system you choose out of all those available on the market could affect the performance of the machinery you fit it into. If you want to make sure you’re buying a cost-effective product that enhances your operations, you need to find the right company to advise you on the best option for your application; and then supply you with a high-quality product.


Here are some of the reasons why you should use our review site to help you choose a supplier:

how to find a high-quality harmonic drive system

High-Quality Products

Choosing a harmonic drive is not as simple as picking the best speed and torque values. There are numerous designs and other criteria to consider when making your decision. Not least of these is the ease of installation, the speed, the degree of accuracy delivered, and repeatability.

If you opt for a strain wave gearing that doesn’t exactly meet your requirements in all respects, it’s likely you’ll have wasted precious time, not to mention money. And if you choose a product that’s poorly designed or constructed, it won’t deliver the performance you expect. One way to make sure you pick the right product the first time and avoid any of these difficulties is to take the time to read through our reviews. We’ll help you choose a trusted harmonic drive company with products suitable for your requirements.

Our reviews will enable you to find a suitable product that offers quality, precision, and durability. We have compiled and published this review website precisely in order to help our visitors to find innovative products and technologies that not only meet but will also exceed your expectations.

Choosing a harmonic drive is not as simple as picking the best speed and torque values. There are numerous designs and other criteria to consider when making your selection, including the ease of installation, its speed, the degree of accuracy, and repeatability.

If you opt for a strain wave gearing that doesn’t meet your requirements, you will have wasted precious time, not to mention money.
And if you choose a product that’s poorly designed or constructed, it won’t deliver on expected performance. You will encounter none of these difficulties if you choose us as your trusted harmonic drive company.

With our products, you can expect quality, precision and durability. We have built our professional reputation on innovative products and technologies that both meet or exceed expectations and stand the test of time.

Customer Support

It doesn’t matter how fantastic the product is. If you receive poor customer service, you won’t be back to buy more. That’s why we’ve added a customer service section to our comprehensive reviews. Whether you have questions before you buy or after you’ve handed over the money and taken receipt of your goods, the companies we’ve listed here will help you out with any queries or concerns.

Do you want more information about harmonic drive gearbox systems or any other similar products? How about delivery details? Our reviews will tell you everything you need to know about each given harmonic drive supplier.

We understand that not everyone is an expert on the harmonic drive gearbox or related products, so we ensure our website has sufficient information, tips, and guides to help you make an informed choice. Whatever your level of knowledge of a certain product, our experts aim to offer you sufficient advice so you can be more certain you’re getting the best deal in the UK.
when is the best time to upgrade a harmonic drive system
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Safe Payment Gateway

Our simple checkout process makes online shopping as fast and easy as possible too. Our payment gateway is completely secure, so you know your financial details are safe with us.

We have taken all reasonable steps to make sure you’re able to choose the right supplier for your products and then pay through a secure payment gateway to reduce the likelihood of online fraud. This will give you peace of mind that your shopping experience is safe.

You’ll know it’s the best match for you if you find a company that ticks all the boxes on the list above. If you’re looking for harmonic drives in the UK, you’ll find just what you’re looking for here at UK Harmonic Drives, where customer service, quality products, and your safety are our utmost priorities.

Our simple checkout process makes online shopping as simple as possible. Our payment gateway offers security too, so you know your financial details are safe with us.

We have taken all reasonable steps to make sure you can pay for your products through a secure payment gateway to reduce the occurrence and likelihood of online fraud. With this, you have peace of mind knowing your shopping experience is safe.
You’ll know it’s the best match for you if you find a company that checks all the boxes on the list above. If you’re looking for harmonic drives in the UK, you’ll find just what you’re looking for here at UK Harmonic Drives, where customer service and quality products are our utmost priorities.

The Uses of Harmonic Drives

Harmonic drives can be used in various applications within a wide range of industries. Here are some of the most common applications:
Automated Packaging Equipment
The equipment used for automated packing benefits from strain wave gearing that delivers high levels of accuracy and a quick drive. Sealing devices, handling robots, and other machinery need to be coordinated and driven indirectly for the best results.

The harmonic drives offer a higher degree of accuracy and faster processing than other alternative mechanisms, helping your business improve its productivity and efficiency. You can view our harmonic drive price list on our review site if you’re interested in exploring your options.

Industrial Laser Cutting Technology
Industrial Laser Cutting Technology
Industrial laser cutting machines require high-speed and high-precision gearing. Materials being cut need smooth and burr-free surfaces to meet customer expectations. The ABB low harmonic drive offers greater levels of efficiency, low energy consumption, environmentally friendly operation, and safety.

The most prevalent equipment used in the industry includes laser welding machines and laser cutting machines. These machines need a harmonic drive that is highly precise, compact, and provides plenty of torque.

If you offer cutting services and are looking to improve your production and performance, let us know, and we can recommend the right drive for your business.

Industrial laser cutting machines require high-speed and high-precision gearing. Materials being cut need smooth and burr-free surfaces to meet customer expectations. Our ABB low harmonic drive offers greater levels of efficiency, low energy consumption, environmentally friendly operation, and safety.
The most prevalent equipment used in the industry includes laser welding machines and laser cutting machines. These machines need a harmonic drive that is highly precise, small and provides plenty of torque.

If you offer cutting services and wish to improve your production and performance, let us know, and we will recommend the right drive for your business.

Analysis, Measurement and Test Equipment
With endless developments in manufacturing, production, and production, the demands for inspection and analysis of products have risen, as has the demand for precise measurement, analysis, and test equipment.

Accurate and trusted analysis and measurement can only be carried out with expertise and the right precision of components, powered by strain wave gearing, rotary actuators, harmonic reducers, and drive motors.
Media and Communication Equipment
Media and communication kits, including antennas, microphones, and cameras, often include precision gearing mechanisms such as harmonic drive reducers. These drives are increasingly utilised to enable precise positioning, while their compact size won’t add significantly to the weight or detract from the portability of the item.

Metal Machining Tools, Woodworking and Plastic

In the manufacturing sector, woodworking, metal processing, plastic and machine tools are extensively utilised in the production processes of many items.
The size, high precision, and lightness of strain-wave gear and harmonic reducers will improve processing technologies and outcomes. What’s more, the reliability and durability of harmonic drives ensure cost-efficiency, delivering outstanding results for far longer than alternative solutions with less need for maintenance.

Metal Machining Tools Woodworking and Plastic

Reach out to UK Harmonic Drives and let us know your requirements. We’re always delighted to discuss the right products for your needs, no matter what industry you work in. We offer detailed, accurate, and up-to-date information to ensure you end up with the best, most cost-effective system to improve your productivity and sales. Whether you are looking for a harmonic drive for the first time or as a replacement for an existing one, our in-depth reviews are sure to help.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Call us on 01202985321 today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions ? Here are answers to some of the frequently asked ones.

What does a harmonic drive do?

The harmonic drive, also known as a harmonic drive gear, mechanical speed-altering tool or strain wave gearing, was invented in the 1950s to decrease the gear ratio of a rotary machine in order to produce more torque with little to no backlash. It works on an entirely different principle to that of traditional speed changers.

Where are harmonic drives used?

Harmonic drives are used in a wide variety of industries, from aerospace to manufacturing, medicine to media. They are increasingly used in robotics in many of these industries. If you’re interested in learning how these products can benefit your business, speak to one of our experts today.

What are the benefits of harmonic drives?

The main benefits of gearing systems like the NEMA 17 harmonic drive include excellent precision positioning, a compact design, accuracy and repeatability, zero backlash, high single-stage decrease ratios, and high torsion strength. Harmonic drives outperform traditional toothed gears in all these areas.

What are the main components of a harmonic drive gear?

A flex spline, a circular spline and a wave generator are the three main sections of a typical harmonic drive.

This simple construction with an exceptional operating principle allows for high decline ratios in a lightweight and compact package. The gear’s size or weight does not change depending on the reduction ratio.

How does a harmonic drive work?

In response to rotational motion supplied by an input shaft, the elliptical wave generator engages with the flex spline, which, as the name suggests, is made of a flexible material. The flex spline has teeth on its outer edge, which, as the wave generator rotates, are brought into contact with teeth on the inner edge of the fixed circular spline.

What are gear drives?

A gear drive is a unit that transmits power from a driver (e.g., an engine) to a driven piece of machinery and can also vary the speed, either increasing or decreasing it. A low harmonic drive reduces the potential damage caused by harmonics while the unit is in operation, such as wasted energy, overheating, and so on.

Who invented the harmonic drive?

The harmonic drive was the brainchild of Clarence Walton Musser, an American inventor, in 1957. Musser was a skilled inventor with over 1,500 patents to his name, covering a wide range of disciplines beyond his technical expertise in mechanical engineering, including chemistry, physics, and biology.

Is gear drive better than timing chain?

A strain driver gearing will be more stable, last far longer and be more accurate than a timing chain. The drawbacks are that they are more expensive, generally noisier and tend to need more lubrication than other types of mechanical speed-changing system.

How are harmonic drives made?

In strain wave transmission, a thin, flexible ring (a flex spline) bends elastically as it rotates inside a slightly larger rigid circular ring (a circular spline), driven by an elliptical unit (wave generator) connected to an input shaft. The circular spline contains internal teeth that mesh where they meet with the external teeth on the flex spline.

Can you back drive a harmonic drive?

Yes, harmonic drive rotary actuator gears can be back driven and are reversible. The wave generator can be braked when the servo system is not operational if required.

If you would like to learn more about the harmonic drive gearbox and how it can be used, feel free to get in touch with us today.

About Harmonic Drive Systems

The harmonic drive system is also known as strain wave gearing, a harmonic gear, or a mechanical speed-changing machine and was developed in the 1950s to increase torque by reducing the gear ratio of a rotary engine.

It works on a completely different principle to that of traditional speed changers. The device is made up of a thin, flexible ring that bends as it rotates within a larger rigid ring.

This strain wave gearing system is made up of three components: a flex spline, a circular spline, and a wave generator. The internal teeth of the circular spline connect with the outer teeth on the flex spline.

The flex spline has fewer teeth than the circular spline. Therefore, it operates at a smaller diameter. The wave generator is elliptical and serves as a connection between two rollers that spin within the flex spline, meshing with the circular spline at diametrically opposed points as the wave generator rotates.

While the wave generator (the input) spins clockwise and the circular spline is fixed, the flex spline (the output) rotates within the circular spline in a counter-clockwise direction and at a slower rate.

The difference in the number of teeth between the circular spline and the flex spline is what determines the input- to output-speed ratio. Single-reduction strain wave gearing generates speed ratios of up to 320:1, which are lighter, efficient and smaller than high-ratio drives.

The flex spline has fewer teeth than the circular spline, therefore, it operates at a smaller diameter. The wave generator is elliptical and serves as a connection between two rollers that spin within the flex spline, meshing with the circular spline at diametrically opposed points as the wave generator rotates.
About Harmonic Drive Systems
While the wave generator (the input) spins clockwise and the circular spline is fixed, the flex spline (the output) rotates within the circular spline in a counter-clockwise direction and at a slower rate.

The difference in the number of teeth between the circular spline and the flex spline is what determines the input- to output-speed ratio. Single-reduction strain wave gearing generates speed ratios of up to 320:1, which are lighter, efficient and smaller than high-ratio drives.

How Harmonic Drives Work

One of the most significant design benefits of strain wave gearing is the lack of backlash. Other key advantages include the fact that they can be very small and lightweight and suffer less wear and tear than traditional gearing mechanisms do, which means they’re therefore longer lasting. What’s more, these mechanical speed-changing modes offer gear reduction ratios of as high as 30 times those produced by traditional gear systems in the same sized unit.

The harmonic drive refers to a kind of gear design that’s known as a strain wave because of how it works. It’s a type of reduction gear system that has three main parts as a minimum. The way in which these three parts interact means that much higher precision reduction ratios are possible than can be achieved by much larger and more complicated mechanisms.

American engineer Clarence Walton Musser developed the harmonic drive in 1957, and its advantages soon became widely recognised, taking the market by storm. Early on, Mosser recognised the huge potential of his invention and began selling licences to manufacturers to use his patented technology.

The rotational movement comes from an input shaft, such as a servo motor axis. The wave generator lies at the heart of the mechanism. Elliptical in shape, it’s encircled by ball bearings which gives the appearance of creating a motion wave as it spins.

How Harmonic Drive Works
The generator sits within a torsionally stiff yet flexible belt called a flex spline which flexes in response to the input shaft’s revolution, forming an elliptical shape. The outer edge of this flex spline has gear teeth that are able to transfer even very heavy loads without difficulty.

The two parts sit within a fixed circular spline with teeth on their inner side. As a result of this, rather than adopting the elliptical form, the circular spline merely interconnects its inner teeth with the outer flex spline side, resulting in a rotation of the flexible spindle.

Finding the right micro harmonic drive products and more for almost any known application is easy with us. UK Harmonic Drives can help you with all your enquiries and requirements. Visit our homepage for more information.

The generator sits within a torsionally stiff yet flexible belt called a flex spline which flexes in response to the input shaft’s revolution, forming an elliptical shape. The outer edge of this flex spline has gear teeth that are able to transfer even very heavy loads without difficulty.

The two parts sit within a fixed circular spline with teeth on their inner side.
As a result of this, rather than adopting the elliptical form, the circular spline merely interconnects its inner teeth with the outer flex spline side, resulting in a rotation of the flexible spindle.

Finding the right micro harmonic drive products and more for almost any known application is easy with us. UK Harmonic Drives can help you with all your enquiries and requirements. Visit our homepage for more information.

Interested in finding out more?

Get in touch today and one of our experienced team will talk through your requirements to recommend the right product for your needs.
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UK Harmonic Drives is the premier supplier of strain wave gear systems in the UK. Our exclusive combination of engineering experience, knowledge, and attention to customer service enables us to empower our customers with high-quality products that serve their purpose and stand the test of time.
Harmonic Drive White
UK Harmonic Drives is the premier supplier of strain wave gear systems in the UK. Our exclusive combination of engineering experience, knowledge, and attention to customer service enables us to empower our customers with high-quality products that serve their purpose and stand the test of time.

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