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Cycloidal Gearbox ⚙️
This is my cycloidal gearbox I built, and the python script I created to generate it!
Design Process
Version 1
This gearbox was a handcranked gearbox specifically meant to test the validity of the python cycloidal generator. It had a gear ratio of 1:9.
Version 2
This design was a micro cycloidal gearbox with a ratio of 1:9, meant to only take up the same footprint as a NEMA 17. Due to the tight tolerances needed for a small cycloidal drive and the lack of precision offered by 3D printing, this design did not work.
Version 3
This gearbox was the first working version to run on a NEMA 17. It has a larger footprint compared to Version 2 allowing greater tolerances and a fully functional design.
🛠️ The Python Script
This python script was based on the SolidWorks article
Building a Cycloidal Drive with SOLIDWORKS
. The two main parametric equations I used were:
$$x = R \cos(t) – E \cos(N t) – r \cos(t + \psi), \quad y = R \sin(t) – E \sin(N t) – r \sin(t + \psi)$$
$$\psi = \text{atan2}\left(\sin((1 – N) t), \frac{R}{E \cdot N} – \cos((1 – N) t)\right)$$
Reduction ratio:
$1 : (N – 1)$
(rotor rotates opposite to input shaft).
Installation & Execution
Clone the repo
Open Fusion 360 and launch
Scripts and Add-Ins
(
Shift + S
).
Under the
Scripts
tab, click
+
(Plus)
to add a script.
Select the
cycloidal_generator
folder and click
Run
.
Key Parameters
Pins (
$N$
) & Pitch Radius (
$R$
):
Sets outer stationary housing geometry (Rotor has
$N-1$
lobes).
Eccentricity (
$E$
):
Input shaft offset distance.
(Constraint: $R > E \cdot N$)
.
Outer Pin Radius (
$r$
):
Roller pin radius.
(Constraint: validated against undercut limit $r_{\text{max}}$)
.
Precision / Profile Offset:
Angular step size and tolerance offset (
$+$
for 3D print clearance).
Output Pins & Bolt Radius:
Defines concentric output pins and rotor clearance holes (
$r_{\text{pin}} + E$
).
🚀 Version 3 — Detailed Overview & Stats
Note
This section is dedicated to
Version 3
, whose CAD files can be found under
cad_models/version_3
.
Key Specifications & Performance Stats
Metric / Parameter
Value / Detail
Gear Ratio
1:9 (
$N=10$
outer pins, 9 rotor lobes)
Outer Diameter
9.0 cm (90 mm)
Drive Motor
NEMA 17 Stepper Motor (42bygh40-A24dh)
3D Printing Material
PLA
Primary Fasteners / Hardware
4×
M3 × 8 screws
, 2×
6704 Bearings
Tolerance Offset Applied
+0.15 mm (+0.015 cm) all around
Gearbox Torque
1.28 N·m ± 0.0061 N·m
Base NEMA 17 Torque
0.21 N·m ± 0.0061 N·m
Efficiency
66% ± 0.220%
Further room for growth
The housing pins can be replaced with MR128 bearings allowing for less friction and higher efficiency in the gearbox.
The output pins can be replaced with M2 screws with metal coverings to increase rigidity, maximum torque output, and the efficiency of the gearbox.
About
I’m a 15-year-old wannabe engineer, this is a cycloidal gearbox I built!
Topics
cycloidal
cycloidal-drive
gear
gearbox
mechanical-engineering
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