In this Phase I SBIR program, Amorphology proposes to develop, characterize and test an unlubricated (and also dry lubricated) two-stage planetary gearbox (22 mm, two-stage, 19:1 reduction ratio) fabricated using bulk metallic glass (BMG) planet gears, pinon gears, and sun gear. The gearbox will be characterized without liquid lubrication compared to a steel and plastic version and then life-tested at -50C under a variety of torques, speeds and operating conditions. Amorphology currently develops BMG gear technology for various applications, where unlubricated operations, low-cost manufacturing through injection-molding technology, and high-precision gears offer new actuator capabilities in the aerospace industry, the medical device industry, the food service industry, and various robotic applications. Anticipated
Benefits: Potential NASA applications include any mission identified in NASA's newly released Planetary Decadal Survey, for example, those to comets, asteroids, Enceladus, Titan, Mars and EarthÂ’s moon where there is a combination of cryogenic temperature, high-vacuum conditions, dust, and extreme environmental conditions that require the development of new technology for mobility, manipulation, and sampling. Potential non-NASA applications include any precision gearing application that could benefit from not requiring lubrication/grease, for example, certain applications for robotics, medical devices, food manufacturing/service, drones/UAVs, aerospace, and automotive.
