1. Home
  2. ⋐⋒⋐ Computer Numeric Control
  3. Squirm Gears What happened to them?

Squirm Gears What happened to them?


Take a look at this old article.
formatting link

I remembered reading that, and then never heard of them again.
Sure they are expensive, but would they be a good idea for example for
a CNC axis? The backlash reduction might be an application where it
would have an advantage.
Any thoughts on this? Just too expensive?
Reply to
Cross-Slide
Loading thread data ...
I think first is like you stated cost. Second, machine builders have come up with what many consider reasonable table position feedback (ex: linear scales) to take up the slack. At least that's what the market bears these days.
-- Bill
Reply to
Bill
formatting link
formatting link
Reply to
Uhh Clem
pretty interesting article, I wonder if the zero backlash claims held up
Reply to
raamman
That was an interesting article. I remembered reading it years ago, but until now it did not show up on a Google search. Now that the old magazines have been scanned in, Google can find all those old articles.
Thanks Sam for those links.
Reply to
Cross-Slide
I wouldn't be surprised to see that design in a four or five axis VMC "Zero Backlash" rotary set up.
Reply to
John R. Carroll
Cross-Slide wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@z7g2000yqb.googlegroups.com:
That brings back some memories. I worked on trying to develop a way to machine the "Squirm" shaft way back in the '80's. We had a machine with the right kinematics, but no way to control the axes of motion to the level of precision required.
The worm form in the shaft is/was a problem to manufacture. The design isn't very scalable and there are other simpler ways to deal with the problem of backlash nowadays. You could just use and integral servo motor and glass scales for example.
Reply to
D Murphy
Yep. Most of the Japanese builders are already doing direct drive rotary axes. Powerful, accurate, reliable, and FAST.
Reply to
Joe788
We used such a "squirm" gear for a prototype product except they called it a "Harmonic Drive". I cannot remember the manufacturer but it was very expensive. Turned out, we did not need the accuracy it gave and a worm drive gave better size of the unit. The Squirm gear had low speed and low load. I still have it somewhere.
Reply to
Frogwatch
I have heard of harmonic drive; I just don't recall if that was in context of a sci fi movie or show though as opposed to mechanical; still I like the link to the pop sci page, it might be something to adapt and play around with
Reply to
raamman
A Harmonic Drive is quite different from a Squirm Gear. Similar in that they can achieve low to zero backlash.
formatting link
Reply to
Cross-Slide

Further Reading

  • What happened to mini-trucks?

  • I was interested in a mini-truck for transportation to and from work but they...

  • What happened to MaxThrust?

  • Anybody know what happened to MaxThrust? I thought it was a goodreference site...

  • What happened to arcm?

  • This used to be a great place to hang around. What happened to the =regulars? ...

  • What happened to the Woodwright's Shop TV show?

  • I used to watch it all the time on broascast PBS TV. Best thing out there....

  • What Ever Happened To Hexapods?

  • A few years ago Hexapod machines were advertised as if they were going to be...

  • What Happened to Robot Wars?

  • In the past, cable would carry various showings of "Robot Wars" and...

  • what ever happened to

  • nix pix locks? I saw a lot of them in the 70's but none now.

  • What happened to MDS?

  • I know that Horizon dropped the MDS line, but I expected it to reappearunder a...

  • what happened to Netmeeting?

  • I notice that the online collaboration tool has gone from SW2005, as has...

  • What happened to "Constrain All"?

  • I can't find the tools-relations-constrain all command in SW 2007. What...

  • What Happened to 220?

  • Sorry 'bout that electrifying mistake.Here is the post again:Hello,Back in...

  • What happened?

  • No squirrels. I went for a drive yesterday up into Canada for ahike up Grouse...

  • What happened to Huw Millington?!?!

  • What ever happened to Huw Millington?!?! I believe thats how he spelledhis first...

  • What really happened to Steam?

  • The Railway Magazine, November Edition , on the news-stands today has launched...

  • Barrel Cam ideas needed.

  • I am building a machine for some factory automation. It will have a cam in the...
  • « previous thread

  • EDGE FINDER Tip of the month

  • Your using a 3/8 - .100 edge finder working off edges of blocks. 1/4"cap drill...
  • next thread »

PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.