The patented Archimedes Drive is a new standard in high-performance gearbox technology. Traditional systems use imprecise gear teeth; the Archimedes Drive uses tractive contact to transmit torque. Greater responsiveness, efficiency, and precision render the drive a key enabler for growing robotics, medical and energy sectors. The CORE project addresses key challenges in drive optimization and will deliver the new knowledge and expertise required to enable further performance gains.

Why? CORE Goal

The objective of this collaborative project is to develop and evaluate a specialized solution for substituting thrust bearings in the Archimedes Drive through optimized design, materials, and surface engineering. The solution must support high thrust loads, sustain high angular velocities, and function effectively in a traction fluid environment, setting it apart from available market products. The project aims at providing understanding and practical solutions applicable across IMSystems’ product range to enable compact, highly responsive, accurate and robust mechanical reducers.

How? CORE Partnership

CORE is a collaboration between IMSystems and the Functional Surface Engineering and Design group at the University of Twente. IMSystems brings in-depth knowledge of the Archimedes Drive, its design principles and application requirements. The FUSED group at the University of Twente contributes specialized expertise in materials, surface design, and metrology, ensuring a comprehensive investigation and system-tailored solution. Taking a stepwise approach, linking lab-scale understanding with industrial performance, together IMSystems and FUSED focus on developing and validating new knowledge and directly applicable technical skills to enable significant improvements for IMSystems Archimedes Drive.

What? CORE Deliverables

The partners will establish a robust design methodology and integrate advancements in Archimedes Drive design based on 5 key activities: 1) Develop a test method bridging lab-scale friction performance and industrial reality (UT) 2) Develop a test setup to evaluate thrust forces in the drive core subassembly (IMS) 3) Understand limitations of current solutions (mechano-material-based tribological performance) by mimicking real-life contacts on dedicated test apparatus (UT) 4) Translate knowledge into solutions, combining mechanical, materials and surface engineering and design (UT/IMS) 5) Validate the proposed solutions integrated in reducer assembly (IMS/UT). Results will be disseminated through journals, fairs, IP and social media.