Kanematsu and Nissei conclude sublicense agreement for commercialization of spherical gear mechanisms

Kanematsu Corporation (hereinafter “Kanematsu”) and Nissei Corporation (hereinafter “Nissei”) have concluded a sublicense agreement for a spherical gear mechanism in June 2025. Following this agreement, we have entered the full-scale marketing phase in preparation for mass production of the spherical gear mechanism.

A spherical gear mechanism is a 3-DoF mechanism that is capable of rotating completely freely around the X, Y, and Z axes (up/down, left/right, forward/backward). Applicable to robot joints and so forth, the mechanism is expected to enhance productivity and efficiency in a broad range of industries, such as nursing care, healthcare, restaurants, and space. The mechanism was invented by the Tadakuma Laboratory at the Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yamagata University (hereinafter “Yamagata University”), with research still ongoing. Since launching a joint research project with Yamagata University in 2022, we have advanced development efforts to create an industrial product capable of operating under high-load conditions.

Under this sublicense agreement, Kanematsu will grant Nissei the non-exclusive license for the spherical gear mechanism that it acquired from Yamagata University. By leveraging Nissei’s product development track record and mass production processing technologies in the area of gears, we aim to achieve early market launch of a metallic spherical gear mechanism more durable than its resin counterparts.

Kanematsu sets “Expansion of Value Proposition—Exploring and Implementing Innovation” as one of its key initiatives under its medium-term management plan, “integration 1.0.” We will continue to provide solutions that help address social issues through implementing the spherical gear mechanism for various industrial applications.

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【Contact】

Public Relations Section, Kanematsu Corporation TEL: +81-3-6747-5000 https://www.kanematsu.co.jp/en/inquiry/