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

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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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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