FAULHABER has launched its new GPT gearhead family, a series of planetary gears engineered for high power density, flexibility, and price-performance. The Schönaich, Germany-based drive specialist designed the series to pair with DC drives from its GXR/SXR family as well as flat brushless BXT motors, letting engineers build matched motor-encoder-gearhead combinations without additional connecting elements.
More Torque in Less Space
The GPT series targets particularly high torques: up to six planets per stage enable a shorter overall length and more power in minimal space. The planetary gears are made of hardened stainless steel with continuously welded connections for reliable transmission of high forces. Available in diameters from 14 to 42 mm (0.5 to 1.6 in.), the gearboxes are significantly shorter than comparable models and tolerate constant, abrupt, or very strong load changes.
The flagship 42 GPT achieves an intermittent torque of up to 25 Nm, with continuous torques between 6 and 18 Nm and speeds up to 24,000 rpm depending on the variant. Reduction ratios span from 3:1 to 1437:1, and gear backlash of 0.8° or 0.6° enables precise, repeatable positioning.
Quiet Variants for Collaborative Applications
For robots working close to people, the low-noise 22 GPT LN and 32 GPT LN use a plastic input gear stage to cut noise levels by up to 10 dB versus the standard version while still transmitting peak torques of 4 and 12 Nm respectively. They operate from -30° to +110°C and maintain efficiency through frequent or sudden load changes — a fit for the growing wave of collaborative deployments like Mantis Robotics' fenceless dual-arm robot.
Rugged HT Models Round Out the Family
HT variants with adapted geometry handle higher loads and improved dynamics for harsh environments, with operating temperatures up to +120°C and three or four gear stages. Component-level innovation like this underpins the sensor and actuation stack driving safer machines, from Sonair's safety-certified 3D ultrasonic sensor to Kawasaki's 8-axis physical AI robot.
Reporting based on coverage from The Robot Report and FAULHABER.