This Chain-Driven Orbital Gearbox Is Terrifying

Almost nothing in modern life would be possible with mechanical advantage. Fortunately, there are many ways to implement mechanical advantage, from simple levers to fancy dual-clutch transmissions. One popular choice for smaller electric motor applications is the planetary gearbox, which offers fantastic reduction in a compact package. But if you turn that inside out, you get this terrifying chain-driven orbital gearbox.

Superficially, this may not look like a planetary gearbox. But on a mechanical level, the principles are pretty much the same. It just replaces the gears with chains and sprockets. It puts all of that on the outside surrounding the motor where it can do maximum damage.

Tylon built this using a laser cutter to fabricate the sprockets and a Makera Carvera Air to make the motor mount. That holds the large brushless DC motor body and also the two axles onto which the sprockets mount. The mount lets the axles spin, but keeps them from moving in any other way relative to the motor body. The chains are just chains, like you’d use on a bicycle. Belts would probably be better, as getting the chain tension right was pretty much impossible.

The result is completely unnerving, to the point where Tylon wisely hid behind a polycarbonate sheet while testing. This is the stuff of horrific industrial accidents and I personally wouldn’t want to get anywhere near it—and I’m no stranger to machines that can easily disassemble people.

But does it have potential in practical applications? No, not really. A planetary gearbox will do the same job, but more efficiently and with less peril. However, it is really cool to see in action, since we’re watching safely through our screens.