---
title: "Which applications is the ZA-I suitable for, and what data is required for designing?"
url: "https://zimm.com/wiki/which-applications-is-the-za-i-suitable-for-and-what-data-is-required-for-designing/"
datePublished: "2026-10-13T06:20:21+00:00"
dateModified: "2026-10-14T13:21:42+00:00"
author: "jonathan-mildner"
lang: en
canonical: "https://zimm.com/wiki/which-applications-is-the-za-i-suitable-for-and-what-data-is-required-for-designing/"
markdown: "https://zimm.com/ai/wiki/which-applications-is-the-za-i-suitable-for-and-what-data-is-required-for-designing.md"
categories: "Questions and answers about our products, Electromechanical actuators, Questions and answers about applications and use cases"
---

The ZIMM ZA-I inline actuator is suitable for lifting tasks involving locking, positioning and adjusting where the drive is to be located on the movement axis. Three questions about the installation situation indicate whether it is suitable for a machine; two typical applications illustrate the two strengths of the design.

### How can you tell whether the ZA-I is suitable for an application?

The first consideration is the installation situation. Is there little space laterally around the actuator? Should the motor be located on the same axis as the lifting movement? Is a fast linear movement required? If one of these questions applies, the ZA-I is the suitable design. If none applies and a drive arrangement at right angles suits the application, the ZA industrial actuator remains the right choice.

### Which application examples illustrate the inline principle?

- Extendable sensor or camera mast – installation space:  On a compact inspection vehicle, a camera, scanner or sensor package extends upwards out of a slim tube. The ZA-I is positioned along the mast axis within the structure; no drive protrudes laterally, the mast remains slim on the outside, and the sensor package extends and retracts in a straight line.
- Testing system with retracting test head – Dynamics: A test or sensor head operates just above components on a roller conveyor. If a part is incorrectly positioned or higher than intended, the head moves quickly upwards out of the danger zone and then returns to the test position. For this movement, the ZA-I with direct drive DA and ball screw drive is the suitable combination: no reduction, high efficiency, high feed rates.

### What data is required for designing?

| Area | Required information |
| --- | --- |
| Load | Compression and tension force per actuator, static and dynamic |
| Stroke | Maximum stroke and effective working stroke |
| Movement | Lifting speed, cycle time, strokes per hour or day, duty cycle |
| Installation space | Available space laterally and in the axial direction – decisive for the choice between ZA and ZA-I |
| Installation | Vertical, horizontal or pivoting installation position; type of guidance |
| Drive | Motor concept (IEC standard motor, servo motor or geared motor), motor brake, frequency converter |
| Environment | Temperature, humidity, dust, chips, corrosive exposure |

### How does the designing process work?

A scale installation sketch or CAD illustration showing the stroke and available installation space supplements the movement data. On this basis, ZIMM compares ZA and ZA-I together with the customer, as well as the drive variants direct drive DA, single-stage planetary gear P1 and two-stage planetary gear P2, and determines the suitable version.