Lifetime estimation of harmonic reducer for manufacturing robot using accelerated life test

We present a calibrated accelerated life test to predict the operational lifetime of newly manufactured harmonic reducers for robots. To this end, a framework based on torque as the accelerating stress is proposed, and a step-stress test is performed to determine the highest stress level. Furthermore, the failure mode and corresponding failure mechanisms of the primary components of the harmonic reducer, and the effect of stress due to the applied load are analyzed. Accordingly, the lifetime of the harmonic reducer under its rated condition is estimated by extrapolating the acceleration test data at three stress levels and analyzing the same using statistical methods. The results obtained include such measures of reliability as the shape and scale parameters of the Weibull distribution, acceleration index for torque, and various estimates of the harmonic reducer’s lifetime.