Tribology of Cycloidal Reducers: Enhancing Efficiency, Durability and Reliability through Experimental and Numerical Methods

A special issue of Lubricants (ISSN 2075-4442).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 1034

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
Interests: machine elements; power trains; cycloidal speed reducers; tribology

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering, Free University of Bozen/Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Interests: machine elements; cycloidal drive; tribology; CFD

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to highlight the cutting-edge research and developments in the field of cycloidal reducers, a critical component widely utilized in robotics and increasingly in power transmission systems. Recognized for their high transmission ratios, high power density, minimal backlash, and robust overload resistance, cycloidal reducers have become the cornerstone for several industrial applications such as aerospace, precision machinery, and automated manufacturing, among others.

However, the longevity and reliability of cycloidal reducers are often compromised by wear and overheating, which remain the primary causes of system failure. Addressing these challenges, this Special Issue focuses on the tribological aspects of cycloidal reducers, seeking to foster advancements that will lead to more compact, efficient, durable, and reliable designs.

We invite original research articles that introduce innovative methods for studying lubrication, efficiency, friction, and wear in cycloidal drives. Contributions that utilize numerical approaches, including multibody simulations, the Finite Element Method (FEM), and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), are especially welcome. These studies should aim to meet the pressing industrial needs and scientific research questions in the design and optimization of cycloidal reducer lubrication.

Moreover, this issue seeks to gather experimental findings on wear patterns, failure modes, and their identification, as well as load-dependent and independent power loss estimation. Investigations into lubricant behavior, along with novel solutions for enhancing lubrication and cooling in cycloidal devices, are of particular interest. We also encourage submissions on tribological tests conducted on materials for cycloidal reducers, aiming to push the boundaries of current knowledge and application possibilities.  

By bringing together a diverse array of studies, this Special Issue aims to propel the field of cycloidal reducers into new realms of innovation and application, ensuring their continued relevance and evolution in the face of modern industrial demands.

Prof. Dr. Mirko Blagojević
Dr. Lorenzo Maccioni
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • cycloidal speed reducers
  • efficiency
  • wear
  • durability
  • reliability
  • thermal stability
  • numerical analysis
  • FEM
  • CFD
  • experimental investigation

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

21 pages, 8879 KiB  
Article
Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Thermal Stability of a Cycloid Speed Reducer
by Milan Vasić, Mirko Blagojević, Milan Banić, Lorenzo Maccioni and Franco Concli
Lubricants 2025, 13(2), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13020070 - 6 Feb 2025
Viewed by 610
Abstract
High-precision drives are essential for ensuring accuracy and repeatability in positioning systems within robotics and industrial automation. Among these, cycloidal reducers are widely utilized due to their ability to deliver a high transmission ratio alongside high power density. However, compact designs often face [...] Read more.
High-precision drives are essential for ensuring accuracy and repeatability in positioning systems within robotics and industrial automation. Among these, cycloidal reducers are widely utilized due to their ability to deliver a high transmission ratio alongside high power density. However, compact designs often face challenges such as elevated operating temperatures caused by limited heat dissipation areas, making it crucial to assess thermal stability within the design process. While engineering practice typically determines the thermal stability of gear drives using ISO/TR 14179-2:2001, no specific methodologies have yet been developed for cycloidal reducers. To address this gap, this paper presents a novel mathematical model fine-tuned to quantify power dissipation and predict lubricant stabilization temperatures under varying operating conditions. The model employs a global energy balance approach, correlating total power losses with the heat dissipated from the reducer to the environment. Moreover, in this study, an experimental campaign was carried out to monitor the thermal behaviour of a cycloidal reducer under various operating conditions in terms of speed and transmitted torque. This was achieved through the analysis of images collected with an infrared thermal camera, both during the transient phase and under steady-state thermal conditions. The results demonstrate good alignment with experimental findings, although further refinements are required to develop specialized tools for cycloidal drives. Additional contributions of the present paper include the understanding of the time required to achieve thermal stability, as well as insights into heat generation and propagation. Beyond advancing scientific knowledge, this work also provides valuable practical guidance for engineering applications. Full article
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