What motor and control options are available?

From simple drives to intelligent motion systems – the right solution for every requirement.

The choice of motor and control system largely determines the functionality, convenience and integrability of a screw jack system. The range extends from simple on/off applications through to complex, synchronised systems with precise position and speed control – both for screw jacks and for electromechanical actuators in the ZIMM modular system.

Motors: The power source of the system

The choice of motor depends on the application, the required power and the available power supply.

• Three-phase asynchronous motors (AC): The standard drive for most industrial screw jack systems. They are robust, cost-effective and low-maintenance. In combination with a frequency inverter they allow variable speed control and functions such as soft start and soft stop.
• Direct current motors (DC): Often in 12 V or 24 V versions. They are used in mobile applications or systems with lower voltage, such as ergonomic workstations or medical and OEM solutions with their own power supply.
• Servo or stepper motors: For highly dynamic applications with stringent requirements for positioning accuracy and controllability – e.g. in automation or on axes that must be synchronised exactly with other motions in the process.

Controls: The brain of the system

The controller is the intelligence that drives the motor and manages the system functions.

• Simple contactor control: For simple up/down movements at a fixed speed. The motor is switched on and off directly via pushbuttons – a robust solution for many basic applications.
• Frequency inverter: Enables stepless speed control of AC motors. Modern inverters additionally provide soft start, soft stop and various ramps, which protects the mechanics and improves positioning quality.
• Integrated system controllers: Special control boxes optimised for operating lifting systems. Typical functions: Synchronisation control: In systems with multiple motors, the controller monitors the position of each individual drive (e.g. via encoders) and actively corrects to ensure smooth synchronised motion.
• Multiple motor channels: One control box can drive two, four or more motors in parallel and in synchronism.
• Gentle approach to end positions: Motion is deliberately slowed down before the end position is reached to avoid hard stops.
• Connection for operator controls: Standardised interfaces for hand switches, memory keypads or external signals (e.g. from a PLC).
• Safety functions: Inputs for safety edges, limit switches or overload signals that stop the system in the event of a fault.

Operator controls: The interface to the user

The type of operation is tailored to the application:

• Simple up/down pushbutton: The most basic form of operation for manual adjustments at a fixed speed.
• Memory control: Allows several predefined positions to be stored and approached at the touch of a button – often combined with a digital height or position display, e.g. at ergonomic workstations.
• Integration into higher-level control (PLC): In automated systems, the lifting system is controlled directly by the central machine control via digital or analogue signals; feedback such as position, status or faults can be integrated into the control logic.

The combination of a suitable motor, an appropriate control system and an application-specific operator interface turns a screw jack system into a user-friendly, precise and easily integrable motion system – matched to the respective requirements and expandable at any time via the ZIMM modular system.