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Re: Actuator noise - is it mostly gear whine or bearing related?
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2026 4:43 pm
by ethan.lewis5
@barbara.jones Slight correction, though the overall point stands:
Harmonic drives use high reduction ratios (often around 100:1), which gives excellent force density, stiffness, and thermal endurance for continuous-duty lifting - the tradeoff is low backdrivability and some backlash.
Makes me wonder how this looks in another five years.
Re: Actuator noise - is it mostly gear whine or bearing related?
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2026 5:19 pm
by yuki71
Still learning the space, so correct me if wrong -
Boston Dynamics' commercial electric Atlas switched fully from hydraulic to QDD-style electric actuation, ending up quieter and lighter with comparable or better dynamic performance than the old hydraulic platform.
Re: Actuator noise - is it mostly gear whine or bearing related?
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2026 8:51 am
by brenda52
Can I ask a dumb follow-up -
Motor cogging torque (the 'notchy' feel from magnet-to-slot interactions) shows up as small periodic torque ripple that can translate into visible joint jitter at low speeds - it's usually mitigated with skewed magnets, better current control, or software compensation tables.