Nidec Drive Technology Corporation, a member of Nidec Corporation’s group companies, announced the Smart-FLEXWAVE, the first precision reducer with built-in sensors. Specifically, Smart-FLEXWAVE combines FLEXWAVE, an existing precision control reducer for robots and machine tools, with built-in torque, temperature, and angle sensors.

FLEXWAVE, the currently available precision reducer with a wave gear mechanism, is used chiefly in joints of industrial robots. It is able to achieve high reduction ratio with a single axis. Aside from that, it also features light weight, compact size, high rotation accuracy, and super-low backlash.

Meanwhile, Smart₋FLEXWAVE is the new reducer that combines torque, temperature, and angle sensors in its mechanism. It detects output torque, temperature inside a reducer, and input axis angle while maintaining an existing reducer’s space. This feature enables Smart₋FLEXWAVE to contribute to making smaller and lighter collaborative robots. Additionally, it helps detect a robot crashing into an obstacle, and monitor screw tightening torque, overheat, stopping place. All these functions are done remotely via a network, thus boosting productivity.

The Company will exhibit the new reducer of the series at the International Robot Exhibition (iREX) 2023 at the Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center) from November 29 to December 02, 2023. The Company’s booth will be E2-27 of Hall East 1-3.

The Company stays committed to providing a variety of fields with its high-efficiency industrial machines based on its reducer and continuously variable transmission-based knowhow to contribute to productivity enhancement and automation.