Planetary gearboxes are named for their use of a sun gear at the center, surrounded by multiple planet gears that rotate around it, all held in place by a ring gear. This configuration allows for a high gear reduction ratio and a compact design.

In a low backlash planetary gearbox, the gears are designed with tight manufacturing tolerances and are typically made of high-quality materials such as hardened steel or aluminum. The gearbox is also designed to be rigid and resist any deformation or bending that could introduce play in the gears.

The gearbox may also include preloading mechanisms or anti-backlash devices that apply a small amount of pressure to the gears, reducing any free movement and improving precision.