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Completed TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 5)
Harmonic drives are a highly efficient and compact gearing technology that is widely used in robotics and aerospace applications (e.g. Mars Science Lab) due to their excellent torque-to-mass ratio, low backlash, and high positional accuracy. The KSC team will incorporate a harmonic component set made from a BMG alloy (Bulk Metallic Glasses), provided by JPL, into a test stand for characterization and accelerated life testing. The harmonic components will be tested for positional accuracy, torque capacity (ratcheting torque), and lifetime wear.
BMGs used in harmonic drives (especially the flex spline) could lead to longer system lifetimes, lower mass, and increased performance.
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