Sankyo Automation at IMTS 2026: See RollerDrive® Zero-Backlash Technology in Action

Sankyo Automation is heading to IMTS 2026 with a lineup of rotary motion technology designed to help manufacturers machine faster, position parts more accurately, and maintain that precision over time.

Visitors will be able to see four different Sankyo solutions in person: the RTG500 RollerDrive® Trunnion Table, the RCD105 CNC Rotary Table, the new RPS330 RollerDrive® Precision Spin Table, and a hands-on demonstration of the RollerDrive® zero-backlash technology behind many of these products.

Together, the displays show how the same core motion technology can be used for everything from compact CNC machining to high-precision grinding.

What Is RollerDrive® Zero-Backlash Technology?

Before getting into the products, it helps to understand what “zero backlash” actually means.

In traditional geared systems, there can be a tiny amount of space—or play—between mechanical components. When the system changes direction, that play can create a slight delay before the driven component begins moving.

That movement may be small, but in precision machining and automation, small differences matter.

Sankyo’s RollerDrive® technology uses a preloaded rolling-contact mechanism designed to eliminate that mechanical play. The result is motion that responds immediately and consistently when commanded.

For manufacturers, that can mean:

• More accurate positioning

• Better repeatability from cycle to cycle

• Faster settling after movement

• High torque transmission

• Less wear through rolling contact

Sankyo’s RollerDrive® design also provides strong resistance to sudden impacts such as emergency stops.

At IMTS 2026, visitors will be able to see the mechanism itself and get a closer look at how zero-backlash motion works.

RTG500 RollerDrive® Trunnion Table for 30-Taper Machining Centers

Smaller machining centers come with an obvious challenge: space.

The RTG500 RollerDrive® Trunnion Table is part of Sankyo's compact trunnion table lineup and is designed to bring multi-axis rotary capability to 30-taper machining centers without requiring a large machine footprint.

Despite its compact design, the RTG500 provides a workpiece area of Ø500 mm × H270 mm, giving manufacturers room to handle substantial parts within a smaller machining environment.

The unit can also accommodate an up to 12+1-port rotary joint, which helps support automated applications where air, hydraulics, or other utilities may need to pass through the rotary system.

In simpler terms: manufacturers can add more sophisticated rotary machining and automation capabilities without necessarily moving to a larger machine.

RTG500 Highlights

• Designed for 30-taper machining centers

• Compact, space-saving construction

• Ø500 mm × H270 mm workpiece area

• Zero-backlash RollerDrive® technology

• Up to 12+1-port rotary joint for automation applications

RCD105: High-Speed CNC Rotary Positioning

The RCD105 represents Sankyo's RCD Series of heavy-duty rotary tables.

For CNC machining, the job of a rotary table is straightforward: move the workpiece to exactly the right angle and do it quickly enough that positioning doesn't become a bottleneck.

The RCD Series uses Sankyo's zero-backlash RollerDrive® technology, meaning there is no need to periodically compensate for backlash as components wear.

It also eliminates the separate clamping and unclamping step required by many conventional rotary systems. Removing that extra step can help shorten the overall machining cycle.

The RCD Series provides rotational accuracy of less than ±10 arc seconds and repeatability of less than ±4 arc seconds. For context, an arc second is an extremely small angular measurement—the important takeaway is that the table is designed to return to the commanded position very consistently.

The system is also capable of rotating 90 degrees in 0.3 seconds, making it a strong option for applications where both precision and cycle time matter.

RCD Series Highlights

• Zero-backlash rotary positioning

• No backlash adjustments required

• No separate clamp/unclamp operation

• 90° indexing in 0.3 seconds

• Less than ±10 arc-second rotational accuracy

• Less than ±4 arc-second repeatability

• Rolling-contact design for reduced wear and long-term accuracy

See the NEW RPS330 RollerDrive® Precision Spin Table

IMTS attendees will also get a look at one of Sankyo's newest products: the RPS330 RollerDrive® Precision Spin Table.

The RPS Series was developed for high-precision, high-efficiency grinding of brittle materials, including materials such as quartz glass and ceramics.

Grinding applications present a different motion challenge than standard indexing. Instead of simply moving to an angle and stopping, the table may need to rotate continuously for long periods while maintaining stable, precise motion.

The RPS330 is capable of continuous rotation at speeds up to 300 rpm and is designed for continuous operation of 24 hours or more.

It also maintains thermal displacement of 5 μm or less. In everyday terms, that means the table is designed to minimize the dimensional changes that naturally occur as equipment heats up during extended operation—an important consideration when extremely precise grinding is required.

The RPS Series also features IP66 protection and a specialized sealing structure designed for grinding environments.

Four Displays. One Motion Technology.

The products Sankyo is bringing to IMTS may serve very different applications, but they share the same basic goal: control rotary motion as accurately and efficiently as possible.

The RTG500 brings compact rotary capability to 30-taper machining centers.

The RCD105 demonstrates how zero-backlash technology can support fast, precise CNC indexing.

The new RPS330 takes RollerDrive® technology into continuous high-precision grinding applications.

And the RollerDrive® demonstration lets visitors see the mechanical technology behind those capabilities firsthand.

Rather than simply reading about zero backlash, IMTS attendees can see what it looks like, understand how the mechanism works, and talk directly with Sankyo's team about where the technology could fit into their own machines and processes.

Visit Sankyo Automation at IMTS 2026

If you're attending IMTS 2026, stop by Sankyo Automation to explore the technology in person.

IMTS 2026

September 14–19, 2026

McCormick Place | Chicago, Illinois

Sankyo Automation – Booth #432226

Whether you're looking to add rotary capability to a compact machining center, reduce indexing time, improve positioning accuracy, or explore new precision grinding technology, the Sankyo Automation team will be available to discuss your application.

Come see what zero-backlash motion looks like in action.