Your requirements - our solutions | ZIMM

ZIMM drive technology for intralogistics | Lifting, positioning and adjusting

Movement tasks:Lifting · Positioning · Adjusting · Rotating · Redirecting
Product groups:Screw jacks · Electromechanical actuators · ZK Bevel gearboxes
Lifting force ranges:Screw jacks: 2.5 to 1,000 kN per jack · Electromechanical actuators: 25 to 200 kN
Application examples:Conveyor belt adjustment · AGV top modules · Turntables in carton conveyor lines
Areas of useConveyor systems · Transfer stations · AGV modules · Sorting and diverting systems · Packaging lines
Project types:New OEM design · Retrofit

Material flows in intralogistics must be continuously monitored, adjusted and kept efficient. Stable transfers, repeatable positions and robust mechanics are crucial – so cycle processes run reliably and coordination effort remains low.

ZIMM provides a modular system kit for this: electromechanical actuators and screw jacks generate precise linear motion – including matching parts – for lifting, positioning and adjusting loads in conveyor systems and system modules. ZK bevel gearboxes handle power transmission and 90° redirection when drives need to be arranged compactly and integrated cleanly. Within the ZIMM modular system, screw jacks, electromechanical actuators and ZK bevel gearboxes can be combined with matching spindles, motors, connecting shafts, couplings and add-on parts. This creates coordinated drive systems for conveyor systems, transfer stations and system modules. The sizing depends on the load, stroke or adjustment travel, speed, duty cycle, number of drive points, installation situation, ambient conditions and the safety concept of the overall system.

ZIMM develops and manufactures screw jacks, electromechanical actuators, bevel gearboxes and matching add-on parts for industrial lifting and adjusting tasks at its site in Lustenau, Austria.

Electromechanical actuators | Intralogistics | ZIMM
Spindle with trapezoidal or ball thread
High performance gearing
Standardised flanges and matching parts
Corrosion protection ex works
Integrated sliding swivel bearings
Sealed gear
Lubrication without downtimes
Ready for all installation positions

Electromechanical actuators

Excellent energy efficiency and low maintenance compared to hydraulic solutions: our electromechanical actuators move and position loads from 2.5 t to 20 t precisely (depending on version and system design). The ZIMM modular system provides perfectly matching parts.

Screw Jacks | Intralogistics | ZIMM
Spindle with trapezoidal or ball thread
High performance gearing
Standardised flanges and matching parts
Corrosion protection ex works
Integrated sliding swivel bearings
Sealed gear
Lubrication without downtimes
Ready for all installation positions

Screw jacks

Optimize your machines and systems with ZIMM screw jacks. We offer tested and proven solutions for efficient load movement from 250 kg to 100 t (depending on series and system design; per gearbox or within the system).

Screw jacks

Optimize your machines and systems with ZIMM screw jacks. We offer tested and proven solutions for efficient load movement from 250 kg to 100 t (depending on series and system design; per gearbox or within the system).

ZK Bevel gearboxes | Intralogistics | ZIMM
Mounting threads on all sides
Shaft sealing by Form-A radial shaft seals
Grey cast-iron housing, machined on all faces
Robust tapered-roller bearing arrangement
Bevel gears made of hardened steel with optimized flank geometry
Shafts made of high-grade quenched-and-tempered steel
Low backlash

ZK Bevel gearboxes

Benefit from long-lasting performance and minimal maintenance: the ZK Series impresses with a robust grey cast-iron housing, ratios from 1:1 to 3:1 and proven lubrication – for reliable operation even under the toughest conditions.

Extract from our industry expertise

Adjust conveyor belts | Stabilise transfers reliably

In intralogistics, conveyor belts often need to be readjusted – for clean transfers and stable belt tracking. ZIMM provides electromechanical actuators as a robust basis: precise adjustment and positioning in a compact installation space. This allows belt height, side guides and angle of inclination to be set repeatably – even with changing loads and cycle times.

Benefits

  • Repeatable settings for stable transfers and belt tracking
  • High stiffness and positioning accuracy under load
  • Compact integration with clear interfaces to the control system

Operating principle

  • Rotary motion -> linear motion via electromechanical actuators
  • Synchronisation of multiple actuators possible to prevent jamming
  • Design based on stroke, load and duty cycle (ED) for stable cycle processes

Application scenarios

  • Height adjustment of conveyor belts at transfer stations
  • Readjustment of side guides for stable product guidance
  • Positioning of transfer and diverter modules within the conveyor layout

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This video shows how conveyor belts in intralogistics can be precisely adjusted and positioned. With electromechanical actuators from ZIMM, belt height, side guides and the angle of inclination can be set repeatably.

AGV top modules | Automate transfers reliably

AGVs (automated guided vehicles) enable flexible material flows – the critical point is the transfer at stations. ZIMM supplies screw jack systems as a robust basis for top modules: precise lifting and positioning in a compact installation space. This enables repeatable load pick-up, centring and locking at transfer stations.

Benefits

  • Repeatable transfers thanks to defined lifting positions
  • High stiffness and load capacity for stable processes
  • System design as a multi-screw solution possible (e.g. 4-screw systems)

Operating principle

  • Rotary motion -> linear motion via screw jacks
  • Synchronous lifting in multi-screw systems to prevent jamming
  • Designed for accuracy and efficiency (with DC motors as required)

Application scenarios

  • Transfer stations to conveyor systems & transfer modules
  • Lifting/positioning units for load carriers
  • Centring & locking in the top module

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How can transfers at stations in AGV applications be implemented repeatably and stably? This video shows how ZIMM screw jack systems in the top module enable precise lifting, positioning and centring. For compact, high-load-capacity solutions at transfer stations and transfer modules.

Turntables | Redirect cartons reliably

In carton conveyor lines, a change of direction is a cycle-critical point: only when the turntable reaches its position repeatably do transfer and onward transport remain stable. ZIMM supports turntable modules with ZK bevel gearboxes as a compact drive stage for torque transmission and 90° redirection. This aligns cartons in a defined way at line transitions and transfers them safely to the next conveyor section.

Benefits

  • Repeatable rotary positions for clean carton transfers
  • Compact drive thanks to integrated 90° redirection
  • Robust torque transmission for stable cycle processes

Operating principle

  • Motor -> ZK: transmit torque, redirect the drive direction by 90°
  • Ratio matched to cycle time and carton weight (speed/torque)
  • End positions define the transfer to the downstream conveyor line

Application scenarios

  • 90° direction changes in carton conveyor lines
  • Transfers to sorting/diverting modules with defined alignment
  • Alignment upstream of scanner, scale or labelling

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In carton conveyor lines, a change of direction is a sensitive cycle point. This video shows how ZIMM supports turntable modules with ZK bevel gearboxes: for defined rotary positions, compact 90° redirection and stable transfers to the next conveyor section.

ZIMM screw jacks, electromechanical actuators and ZK bevel gearboxes can be used when components, modules or load carriers have to be lifted, positioned, adjusted or rotated in a controlled manner, or when drive torque has to be redirected. ZIMM supplies the drive components as well as matching motor technology, connection technology and add-on parts from the modular system and supports the selection and sizing. Support structure, guidance, control system and the higher-level safety concept are defined within the respective overall system.

Screw jacks are particularly suitable for lifting and adjusting systems with higher loads, longer strokes, several drive points or mechanically coupled drive axes. Electromechanical actuators are suitable for compact linear drive axes that are integrated directly into the adjusting or lifting function of a module. ZK bevel gearboxes transmit torque and redirect the drive direction by 90° – as an independent drive stage, for example on a turntable, or as a distribution gearbox within a multi-spindle system. The final selection depends on load, stroke, speed, duty cycle, installation situation and ambient conditions.

With mechanical coupling, one motor drives several spindles via connecting shafts, couplings and bevel gearboxes, so that they necessarily run in step – the usual solution for lifting tables and top modules with four drive points. With separate control, several drives are synchronised via the control system, which allows independent positions but requires position feedback and a concept for synchronisation monitoring. Which solution is suitable depends on installation space, the required synchronisation accuracy, the number of drive points and the control architecture.

Depending on thread pitch, friction, lubrication and version, trapezoidal screw drives can be statically self-locking and hold the load in the de-energised state. Ball screw drives are not self-locking and require a holding function, usually a motor brake. Which version is suitable depends on the load case, the required holding time and the behaviour the system is to adopt in the event of a fault.

The gearboxes are designed for all installation positions; the selection of lubrication and protective elements depends on the actual position. For confined installation spaces, compact sizes, extending or retracting spindle versions and motor connections redirected via bevel gearboxes are available. The available installation length in the retracted and extended state as well as the position of the connection points are required for the assessment.

The ZIMM drive components are integrated into the safety concept of the overall system. Depending on the application and risk assessment, mechanical interlocks, brakes, safety nuts, end position monitoring, position monitoring, overload protection or redundant measures may be required. A possible self-locking effect of a trapezoidal screw drive does not automatically replace the required safety devices of the overall system.

The following information in particular is required for the technical designing:

  • Movement task
  • Required lifting or adjusting force
  • Stroke or adjustment travel and speed
  • Duty cycle and number of drive points
  • Installation situation and ambient conditions

In addition, details of the load distribution, control system, sensors and safety requirements are required. A drawing or sketch of the installation situation supports the technical assessment.

Enquire now

Are you planning an intralogistics module or want to stabilise transfers? Send us a short description of the application, load, stroke/adjustment travel, cycle time or duty cycle (ED), and the installation situation – we will support you in selecting electromechanical actuators, screw jacks or ZK bevel gearboxes.

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