Nabtesco is advancing the evolution of drive technology. The vision: Machines that independently tap potentials for efficiency and continuously optimise their performance – for smart, self-financed production. Serving their industry as a driving force, the precision gear specialist is making a decisive contribution to the implementation of Physical AI in modern production processes with the first volume-neutral digital strain wave gearbox.
Credit: Nabtesco Precision Europe GmbH
The digital gear from Nabtesco is an essential component in Physical AI
Physical AI designates the combination of artificial intelligence with real physical systems. The goal is to continuously record conditions, detect deviations, and adjust behaviour in real time. Unlike purely digital AI applications, Physical AI is required to deal with a dynamic world that is often prone to errors. Machines, robots, and plants operate under changing conditions that may include different loads, temperatures, friction, vibrations, and wear. Consequently, they require systems that can react to these changes in a flexible manner, promptly interpret new conditions, and adapt their movement and load profiles accordingly. In short: Solutions that think along with your challenges instead of merely executing tasks.
Prime mover and driving force of Physical AI in drive technology
As the leading specialist for precision gears, global market leader in robotic gears, and as the industry’s leading innovator, Nabtesco is intimately familiar with the industry’s challenges and knows the way to a successful future in drive technology. Serving the industry as a driving force for progress, the company advances the development of smart, self-optimising systems. “Our objective is to be a part of an industrial ecosystem, one that becomes ever more capable at self-optimising, detecting errors early on, making maintenance plannable, and using data to improve continuously. The goal is to shape production operations that are resilient, intelligent, and efficient enough to virtually finance themselves – through minimised downtime costs, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced, more predictable productivity,” declares Daniel Obladen, Director Sales & Marketing at Nabtesco Precision Europe GmbH.
Digital strain wave gearbox with full installation space compatibility
One key component of this vision is Nabtesco’s digital strain wave gear. This space-neutral solution – developed and produced in Limburg an der Lahn (site of Ovalo GmbH, owned 100 % by the Nabtesco Group) – allows for precise status assessment during ongoing operation. The gearbox records measured variables such as torque and temperature and analyses them directly on board, thus paving the way for adaptive optimisation of the drive. This approach makes it possible to improve system performance in a targeted manner, calculate the actual life of the gearbox in real time and detect faults at an early stage. It also allows for the identification of overload, unsuitable operating points and instances of misuse. This helps reduce downtimes, avoid damage, and extend life time.
No Physical AI without reliable data
Large amounts of data are required to model physical processes and optimise behaviour under real-world conditions. The decisive factor here is, above all, quality. High-quality data springs from experience, expertise, and an understanding of the system. Nabtesco has acquired this know-how through decades of real-world experience. “We know exactly how our gearboxes behave under load, under wear, or under the influence of temperature and lubricants. This knowledge puts us in a position to classify the measured values correctly from a technical standpoint and translate them into usable information,” explains Daniel Obladen. This wealth of experience is complemented by the mechatronics expertise of adcos, who serves the group of companies (Nabtesco share 60%) as a specialised development partner for embedded systems and mechatronic system solutions.
The future has begun
The development of Physical AI is set on a clear course – supported by valid data, robust system models, and closely interlinked components. One thing is certain: Physical AI will not emerge as a single leap in technology, but will grow into real-life applications one step at a time. Nabtesco is making a substantial contribution to driving these innovations forward.