NIDEC-SHIMPO has segmented our technologies into three separate categories in order to better align our product development, applications support, and global distribution with our customers. This allows SHIMPO to better serve the evolving needs of machine builders as they compete on a global level in their respective markets.
For our traditional core gearing and powertrain technologies, we make a distinction between High Precision gearboxes and Heavy Industrial power transmission products. Our High Precision gearboxes would generally be applied to servo grade applications and utilize either helical planetary and worm gear technologies. Our Heavy Industrial products would be more relevant within more extreme manufacturing environments where durability is more critical than fine control and movement.
NIDEC-SHIMPO also has the resources and scale to support OEM Gearing Solutions. These custom gearboxes or assemblies fall outside of our traditional product portfolio, but they remain an important part of our business today.
VR Series variants, ABLE® product family
NIDEC-SHIMPO expanded from its early roots in mechanical powertrains into higher precision gearing as the motion control market and servo motor technology started to rapidly evolve. Our initial planetary gearbox series were developed to specifically serve the needs of our major robotics customers in Japan and other areas of southeast Asia. During this product expansion, NIDEC-SHIMPO was able to leverage our production engineering expertise and high volume manufacturing capabilities to become the dominant precision planetary gearbox supplier within the robotics segment and throughout the Asia-Pacific.
NIDEC-SHIMPO followed this early development with the introduction of a high-precision planetary series variety that was more suited to compete throughout the global marketplace. The base design platform for each of these series incorporated a modularity of subassemblies and standardization of components that facilitated high volume, efficient production. These series have been branded as our ABLE® planetary gearbox family of series, which have become the highest performance, highest quality, and most cost effective gearbox in its competitive class.
With our ABLE® planetary series, our customers have access to a wide variety of frames sizes, ratios, and input bore options that are unmatched across the industry. The performance specifications match-up or exceed our competitors’ most equivalent series, while offering drop-in dimensions for easy form, fit, and function.
VR Series, Summary Level Table
| Product Series | Frame Size | Backlash Rating | Reduction Ratios | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VRSF Planetary Inline Configuration Economy class |
 |
Smallest: B (60mm) Largest: E (170mm) Variety: 4 |
Different levels ≤ 3 arc-min ≤ 5 arc-min ≤ 15 arc-min |
Minimum: 3 Maximum: 81 Variety: 9 |
| VRL Planetary Inline Configuration General purpose |
 |
Smallest: 050 Largest: 235 Variety: 7 |
≤ 5 arc-min | Minimum 3 Maximum 100 Variety 22 |
| VRB Planetary Inline Configuration General purpose, simple mount |
 |
Smallest: 042 Largest: 220 Variety: 7 |
≤ 3 arc-min | Minimum: 3 Maximum: 100 Variety: 22 |
| VRS Planetary Inline Configuration Highest radial, axial load capacity |
 |
Smallest: 042 Largest: 240 Variety: 8 |
≤ 3 arc-min | Minimum: 3 Maximum: 100 Variety: 22 |
| VRT Planetary Inline ConfigurationCompact, ISO flange mount |
 |
Smallest: 064 Largest: 285 Variety: 7 |
≤ 3 arc-min | Minimum: 4 Maximum: 100 Variety: 19 |
| Food/Washdown Duty Optional features for food or washdown environments |
 |
VRL: 070, 090, 120 VRB: 060, 090, 115 Others available upon request |
≤ 3 arc-min | Minimum: 3 Maximum: 100 Variety: 12 |