YOUR REQUIREMENTS – OUR SOLUTIONS
ZIMM screw jacks | Lifting forces from 2.5 to 1,000 kN for lifting, positioning and adjusting
| Movement tasks: | Lifting · Lowering · Positioning · Adjusting · Supporting · Clamping |
| Product group: | Screw jacks · Worm gear screw jacks |
| Lifting force ranges: | 2.5 to 1,000 kN per screw jack | ZE-Series – 5 to 1,000 kN · ZE-H-Series – 35 to 350 kN · GSZ-Series – 2.5 to 150 kN |
| Sizes: | 14 |
| Screw versions: | Trapezoidal screw drive · Ball screw drive |
| Areas of use: | Machinery and plant engineering · Automation · Cable, wire and tube industry · Automated guided vehicles · Steel hydraulic engineering · Ropeway systems · Wind energy · Maritime logistics · Stage technology · Inclined lifts · Aerospace · Urban security and protection technology · Timber industry · Architecture · Intralogistics · Rail technology · Defence |
| Quality management: | ISO 9001:2015 · Open to further standards, assessed project-specifically |
ZIMM screw jacks convert an input rotary motion into a linear lifting or positioning movement. They lift, lower, position and adjust components or loads reproducibly – as a single screw jack or as a mechanically coupled multi-spindle system with several lifting points. 14 sizes in three series are available, with lifting forces from 2.5 to 1,000 kN per screw jack.
Within the ZIMM modular system, screw jacks and electromechanical actuators can be combined with matching screws, motors, connecting shafts, couplings and add-on parts. This creates coordinated drive systems for a wide range of vehicle, workshop and transport applications. The sizing depends on the lifting force, stroke, speed, duty cycle, number of drive points, installation situation, ambient conditions and the safety concept of the overall system.
ZIMM GmbH develops and manufactures screw jacks, bevel gearboxes, electromechanical actuators and matching add-on parts for industrial lifting, positioning and drive tasks at Millenniumpark 3, 6890 Lustenau, Austria.
General technical information
Electromechanics vs. Hydraulics
In a direct technology comparison, electromechanical screw jacks are increasingly replacing classic hydraulic solutions in modern industrial plants. The following comparison shows the clear advantages of ZIMM screw jacks in the areas of cost-effectiveness, precision, and operational reliability:
| Criterion | ZIMM Electromechanics | Hydraulics |
| Energy Efficiency | High – energy only on demand | Continuously running pump |
| Positioning Accuracy | Micron-precise, repeatable | Leakage affects precision |
| Maintenance Effort | Minimal, no fluid management | High – oil, filters, seals |
| Environmental Compatibility | No leakage damage, leak-free | Risk of oil contamination |
| Installation Effort | Compact, easy integration | Complex piping & seals |
| Operational Reliability | No fire hazard from oil | Fire hazard in case of leaks |
| Synchronization | Multiple axes precisely synchronizable | Complex, vulnerable to pressure drops |
| Operating Noise | Quiet, no hydraulic pump | Loud due to pump aggregates |
| Controllability / Digitalization | Simple PLC integration, Industry 4.0 | More complex, analog character |
| Cleanliness / Hygiene | Ideal for cleanrooms & food industry | Oil residues are problematic |
Functionality | Rotating and translating spindle
R-Screw | rotating
The spindle is fixed to the worm wheel and rotates with it. The nut therefore moves up and down.
S-Screw | translating
The worm wheel has an internal thread and transforms rotary motion into linear movements as long as the spindle is prevented from rotating.
R-Screw | rotating The spindle is fixed to the worm wheel and rotates with it. The nut therefore moves up and down. S-Screw | translating The worm wheel has an internal thread and transforms rotary motion into linear movements as long as the spindle is prevented from rotating.
Possible combinations | ZIMM modular system
The ZIMM modular system complements screw jacks with suitable accessories for rotating R-screws and translating S-screws. Depending on the version and application, the selection includes mechanical fixing, joint, protection, safety and monitoring elements.
Areas of use and applications
ZIMM screw jacks are used for the precise lifting, lowering, positioning, and adjusting of components or loads. They are suitable for applications where reproducible linear motion, robust mechanics, and controlled integration into machines or systems are required.
Whether stage technology, automation or the cable-wire-tube industry – when loads need to be moved safely, precisely and efficiently, our worm gear screw jacks are the ideal solution. ✅ Reliable & durable – ideal for demanding applications ✅ Safe, precise positioning even with high loads ✅ Low maintenance & efficient – for maximum cost-effectiveness
Adjusting the reflector calls for high actuating forces at low speeds, with long periods in a held position. The mechanical ratio of a ZIMM screw jack suits this profile.
In a wheelset changing system for railcars, a two-part fork design separates the vehicle lift from the handling of the wheelset. One fork tine lifts the vehicle and secures it in the working position, the second lowers the old wheelset and positions the new one at the installation height. ZIMM screw jacks generate the linear movements within the lifting and handling device.
Frequently asked questions about ZIMM screw jacks
Our screw jack range
Depending on the area of use and application, 14 sizes in different series with a lifting force of 2kN to 1000kN are available.
5kN-1000kN
35kN-350kN
2,5kN-150kN
Submit your inquiry for a lifting or positioning task now
Are you planning a lifting, positioning, adjusting, or clamping task and require a quotation or technical support for ZIMM screw jacks? Describe your application and attach a drawing, sketch, or specification sheet. Our application engineers will support you in selecting the correct series, size, and matching screw, motor, connection, and attachment technology from the ZIMM modular system – including project-specific custom applications.