Calculate drive torque requirements for your mobile robot first, then use the engineering checklist below to qualify cycloidal gearbox suppliers for in-wheel AGV and AMR drive modules.
AGV drive wheels are not selected by continuous torque alone. Starts, stops, floor joints, caster scrub, payload shift, ramps, and protective stops all create short load cases that can exceed the smooth-running calculation. Cycloidal and RV-style reducers are often shortlisted because they can combine high reduction ratio, compact axial packaging, rigidity, and published shock-load or output-support data in a single drive module.
Treat every numeric performance claim as model-specific. Before releasing an AGV wheel-module drawing, confirm momentary torque, allowable moment, backlash or lost motion, input speed, thermal rise, lubricant orientation, and endurance acceptance criteria against the current supplier datasheet and your duty cycle.
| Decision Area | Cycloidal / RV Check | Planetary Check | RFQ Evidence to Request |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock and E-stop torque | Cycloidal families are commonly selected where momentary overload is important; some Sumitomo Cyclo models publish a 500% shock-load rating. | Varies by precision grade and frame size; tooth stress concentration can make impact load the limiting check. | Momentary maximum torque, allowable acceleration/deceleration torque, brake holding torque, and permitted frequency of E-stop events. |
| Wheel hub loads | RV-style precision reducers often publish allowable moment, thrust/radial load, and moment rigidity data for output support. | May need a separate wheel bearing or hub support if the reducer cannot carry the wheel offset load. | Allowable moment diagram, bearing life calculation, mounting offset, and preload instructions. |
| Backlash / lost motion | Sub-arcminute classes exist in precision RV-style reducers, but the exact value is size, ratio, and test-condition dependent. | Precision planetary gearheads can be acceptable when backlash growth, radial load, and shock margin are controlled. | Backlash and lost-motion report at the selected ratio, plus endurance-test acceptance limits. |
| Envelope and ratio | Short axial length and high single-stage reduction can help in compact drive wheels, usually with a larger reducer diameter. | Often easier for narrow diameters, but high ratios may require multiple stages and more axial length. | 2D mounting drawing, STEP model, input speed limit, lubrication orientation, and thermal rise data. |
Last reviewed: July 29, 2026. Screening references support terminology and comparison factors, not a universal substitute for selected-model datasheets.
In-wheel / compact drive architecture: output support may carry wheel loads only when selected-model ratings match the AGV duty cycle.
If the reducer family includes cross-roller or angular contact output support, request the allowable radial, thrust, and overturning-moment limits for your wheel offset instead of assuming the gearbox can carry the vehicle mass.
Low backlash is useful only when it is tied to the robot's docking, steering, and navigation error budget. Ask for the test method and endurance target, not just a headline arcminute number.
A useful AGV cycloidal gearbox manufacturer page should help the buyer turn a torque estimate into a qualified supplier question. ISO 3691-4:2023 provides the safety context for driverless industrial trucks, but reducer selection still requires mechanical evidence from the selected gearbox and the complete drive wheel module.
| RFQ Item | Evidence to Request | Decision Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Torque and E-stop margin | Rated torque, allowable acceleration/deceleration torque, momentary torque, and brake holding torque for the chosen frame. | Prevents undersizing when payload, ramps, or emergency stops create short high-torque events. |
| Output bearing support | Radial/thrust load curves, allowable moment, mounting offset, and expected bearing life at the AGV duty cycle. | Determines whether the wheel can mount directly to the reducer flange or needs an external support bearing. |
| Lost motion and rigidity | Backlash/lost-motion test method, torsional rigidity curve, and acceptance values before and after endurance testing. | Protects path tracking, docking repeatability, and steering-module control stability. |
| Noise, efficiency, and heat | Test setup with load, speed, lubricant, ambient temperature, duty cycle, dB location, and temperature-rise limit. | Turns broad claims like quiet or efficient into comparable data for battery-life and warehouse-noise decisions. |
| Custom flange and production control | STEP/2D drawings, pilot diameters, bolt patterns, tolerance stack, CMM report, material certs, and heat-treatment records. | Reduces rework risk when moving from prototype wheel modules to repeatable production builds. |
Safety context for driverless industrial trucks and AGV/AMR systems; current standard status should be checked at purchase or audit date.
Reference for precision reducer data fields such as rated torque, allowable acceleration/deceleration torque, backlash, lost motion, and allowable moment.
Reference for AGV drive units and RV-style reducer categories used when comparing in-wheel integration approaches.
Reference example for published Cyclo shock-load positioning; do not transfer the 500% figure to every cycloidal reducer model.
This page intentionally avoids treating competitor catalog numbers as a universal specification. Use the calculator to frame the load case, then request current drawings, test reports, and supplier confirmation for the chosen reducer size.
Cycloidal reducers can be strong in shock and rigidity checks while still being constrained by input speed, lubrication, and heat rise. If your AGV runs at high speed for long shifts, ask for thermal capacity at the exact duty cycle instead of relying on intermittent torque ratings.
A sub-arcminute target can raise cost and lead time if the wheel control loop, floor tolerance, tire compliance, and localization stack do not require it. Define the positioning error budget first, then set the reducer backlash or lost-motion acceptance value.
Treat alternative RV reducers as candidates, not automatic drop-in replacements. Confirm pilot diameters, bolt circles, flange thickness, shaft interface, lubrication access, torque margin, and test data before changing a released AGV wheel module.
Send the torque result, wheel offset, duty cycle, motor data, and target ratio for a gearbox frame-size check and quotation.
Inquiry Email
Include target torque/speed, quantity, and delivery location.
Only if the selected reducer has output bearing ratings for the wheel's radial load, thrust load, and overturning moment. Ask the supplier to calculate bearing life with your wheel offset and payload case; otherwise add external wheel support.
Include the calculator result, total mass, payload, number of drive wheels, wheel diameter, maximum speed, acceleration, ramp grade, wheel offset, motor model, target ratio, brake details, and expected duty cycle.
They can be evaluated as alternatives only after drawing, interface, load, backlash, life, and validation-test comparison. Do not assume a drop-in replacement from the product category name alone.
STEP files should be requested during the design-in phase along with 2D tolerances, pilot diameters, bolt patterns, lubrication position, and motor-adapter stack-up.
Battery impact depends on ratio, motor operating point, lubricant, load, temperature, and duty cycle. Ask for an efficiency or temperature-rise curve at your speed and torque points instead of relying on a single catalog efficiency number.
A precision planetary gearhead can be the better fit when the wheel load is externally supported, the shock requirement is modest, the diameter envelope is tight, and a multi-stage axial package is acceptable.
Share the calculator output with wheel offset, duty cycle, motor data, target ratio, annual volume, and destination so the engineering team can check frame size, bearing loads, and prototype availability.
Inquiry Email
Include target torque/speed, quantity, and delivery location.
