Planetary Gearboxes for Robots — What They Are and Where They Are Used
The PG-series planetary gearbox is a compact reducer with an outer diameter from 6 to 16 mm, designed for direct mounting onto ECH micro-actuators and other brushless motors. Unlike standard industrial planetary gearboxes, the PG is engineered for ultra-high input speeds (up to 65,000 rpm on PG13/PG16) with backlash under 1° and a rated service life exceeding 10,000 hours.
Where they are used: wrist and end-effector joints in Veichi industrial robots, kinematics for collaborative robots, rehabilitation and prosthetics, microfluidic systems, drone actuators, and antenna/optical platform pointing mechanisms. For higher-torque joints, see the RB200/RB300 drive modules with integrated harmonic gears.
How to Choose a Planetary Gearbox for a Robot
| Model | OD (mm) | Gear Ratio | Max Torque (N·m) | Input Speed (rpm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG6 | 6 | 4 / 16 / 64 / 256 / 1024 / 4096 | 0.15 | 20,000 |
| PG8 | 8 | 4 / 16 / 64 / 256 / 1024 / 4096 | 0.35 | 30,000 |
| PG10 | 10 | 4 / 16 / 64 / 256 / 1024 / 4096 | 0.8 | 26,000 |
| PG13 | 13 | 5 / 25 / 125 | 1.8 | 60,000 |
| PG16 | 16 | 3.9 / 16 / 35 | 3.3 | 65,000 |
1. Gear ratio. For positioning resolution <0.1°, gear ratios of 64–256 are typically sufficient. For very low output speed while maintaining motor dynamics, choose 1024/4096 (PG6/PG8).
2. Maximum torque. PG6 handles only 0.15 N·m — suited for micro-limbs and sensor modules. PG16 at 3.3 N·m suits end-effectors handling 100–200 g payloads. For heavier joints, consider RB200/RB300 modules.
3. Input speed. PG13 and PG16 handle 60,000–65,000 rpm — enabling direct-drive from coreless BLDC motors without intermediate stages. PG6 (20,000 rpm) pairs directly with ECH6/ECH8.
4. Backlash. PG-series backlash is <1° (≈60 arcmin) — acceptable for grippers but not for precision positioning (<0.05°). Zero-backlash applications: see RB200 with integrated harmonic gearbox.
5. Motor compatibility. PG-series is compatible with Veichi ECH micro-motors. Match by motor OD. All ECH models are listed in the catalogue.
Manufacturers in the Catalogue
Veichi Electric manufactures the PG series. These gearboxes form part of the Veichi Robotics component ecosystem alongside RB-series and FT1 modules, and are the OEM gearbox option for Veichi's own VCR/VCC/VCSH robot arms.
Gearboxes by Specification
- Gear ratio 4
- Gear ratio 64
- Gear ratio 256
- Gear ratio 4096
- RB/FT1/ECH drive modules
- YZ-T6 dexterous hand
Warranty and Support
12-month warranty. Delivery via Nova Poshta nationwide. Free consultation on gearbox selection for your kinematic design. Our background in servo drives and frequency converters means we approach gearbox selection as a full drivetrain problem, not just a catalogue lookup.
