Pneumatische Hub-Vorrichtung bzw. Wendestation realisiert mit zwei Hubachsen ZH90
Pneumatische Hub-Vorrichtung bzw. Wendestation realisiert mit zwei Hubachsen ZH90
Guide · Product knowledge Zeilhofer
Lifting and rotating device ZH: Lifting and rotating up to 4,000 kg
Pneumatic, electric or individual, objectively compared: The ZH lifting and rotating device brings components into any ergonomic working position at the touch of a button, including component adapter and optionally with insertion and layout via manipulator, ZH90 lifting axis or ZH lifting lift.
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Manually turning, tilting, or positioning components for welding is physically demanding and poses a high risk of back injuries and damage to the workpiece. Once a component exceeds a certain weight, at least two employees are required, and even then the process remains laborious and prone to errors.
The ZH lifting and rotating device takes over this task completely: The component is inserted once, then lifted to the appropriate working height and rotated into any desired position at the touch of a button. Unlike many manufacturers on the market, ZHHT supplies not only the lifting technology itself, but also the appropriate component adapter and, upon request, complete loading and unloading via manipulator, ZH90 lifting axis, or ZH lifting lift – all from a single source. Our guide, "What is a Lifting Axis?", provides further information on how this compares to our other lifting aids.
CHAPTER 2
What is a lifting and rotating device?
A lifting and rotating device is a two-column turning station that holds a component between two lifting columns, lifts it, and rotates it reversibly up to 360 degrees. It serves for ergonomic positioning during assembly, welding, or testing processes and is also referred to in practice as a turning station, rotary device, workpiece positioner, or welding positioner, depending on the manufacturer and industry.
Unlike a manipulator, which moves a load freely through space, the component in the lifting and rotating device remains firmly fixed in the component adapter and is only lifted and rotated. Our guide "What is a Manipulator?" explains more about the functionality of our other lifting aids.
CHAPTER 3
Overview of the ZH lifting and rotating device
All standard versions are based on our proven, already certified ZH90 lifting axis as a modular component. This reduces delivery time and design effort compared to a completely new development, as is common with manufacturers of turntables.
ZH-P Pneumatic
up to 350 kg
For applications with an existing compressed air supply.
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Based on the ZH90 lifting axis
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Robust and low-maintenance
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Simple control
ZH-E Electric
up to 4,000 kg
Spindle drive with high positioning accuracy.
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Spindle drive based on ZH90
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High repeatability
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For assembly and welding
ZH-Individual
Special solution
For requirements exceeding 4,000 kg.
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Fully custom design
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For special geometries
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Without being tied to the ZH90 size
CHAPTER 4
Pneumatic, electric or individual in comparison
Choosing the right design depends on load-bearing capacity, accuracy requirements, and existing infrastructure. The following overview objectively classifies all three variants.
ZH-P Pneumatic
Load capacity
Up to 350 kg
drive
compressed air
Positioning accuracy
Basically
investment
Least of the three variants
Typical use
Workshop, easy assembly
ZH-E Electric
Load capacity
Up to 4,000 kg
drive
Electric spindle drive
Positioning accuracy
High, repeatable accuracy
investment
Medium
Typical use
Precision assembly, welding processes
ZH-Individual
Load capacity
Over 4,000 kg, as required
drive
Project-specific
Positioning accuracy
According to the specifications
investment
Project-dependent
Typical use
Special geometries, large components
CHAPTER 5
When is which version worthwhile?
Pneumatic: simple applications using compressed air
If a compressed air supply is already available and robust, low-maintenance technology is more important than positioning accuracy, for example in harsh workshop environments, the pneumatic version up to 350 kg is usually the most economical choice.
Electrical: Precision in assembly and welding
As soon as tight tolerances, high repeatability or fixed cycle times are required, the electric version with spindle drive shows its strengths, for example in weld seams that must be exactly in a trough position.
Individual: when standard sizes aren't enough
For components weighing over 4,000 kg or with unusual geometry, we manufacture the ZH lifting and rotating device as a complete special construction, as is typical for our special machine construction.
CHAPTER 6
Component adapters and insertion/removal technology: the complete solution
The component adapter is the interface between your component and the ZH lifting and rotating device. It must reliably transmit load and torque without deforming under load. Unlike suppliers who simply provide customers with a rotary table drawing and drilling pattern for their own implementation, we handle the complete design and manufacturing of the adapter, tailored to the geometry, weight, and load application point of your component. Our page " Devices, Grippers, Suction Cups & Magnets" demonstrates how we develop gripping, suction, magnetic, and special devices for lifting aids.
For loading and unloading components into the ZH lifting and rotating device, our own lifting aids up to 1,200 kg are available:
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Joint manipulator, for components up to 800 kg
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Lifting axle ZH90 , for components up to 1,200 kg
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Lifting platform ZH , for components up to 100 kg
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Which lifting aid is suitable in a given case depends on the component weight, geometry, and cycle time. An overview of the differences can be found in our article " Lifting Column, Lifting Axis, or Manipulator: What's the Difference?"
CHAPTER 7
Why ZHHT
For context: Traditional suppliers on the market deliver the lifting and rotating device as a pure lifting technology. ZHHT, on the other hand, provides the complete solution from a single source, whether as a standalone unit or in combination with its own handling technology.
Component adapter included
We design and manufacture the appropriate component adapter directly, instead of leaving it to the customer like many competitors.
Loading and unloading from a single source
The manipulator, ZH90 lifting axis or ZH lifting lift handle the loading; everything is planned and manufactured by one supplier.
Also available as a stand-alone unit
Those who only need the turning station can also get it separately, just as is common with other manufacturers in this market segment.
ISO 9001 and TISAX Level 2
Standards-compliant processes and tested product quality, TISAX with prototype protection for sensitive development projects.
CHAPTER 8
Technical data
Pneumatic load capacity = up to 350 kg
Load capacity (electric, spindle drive) = up to 4,000 kg
Special version = Higher load capacities and individual geometries available on request
Rotational movement = 360 degrees, reversible left/right
Component adapter = Design and manufacturing included in the scope of delivery
Installation/Design = Optional via manipulator, ZH90 lifting axis or ZH lifting lift
Safety devices = emergency stop, visual/acoustic warning device, synchronization control
Certification = ISO 9001, TISAX Level 2 with prototype protection
Manufacturing = Made in Germany, Holzkirchen
CHAPTER 9
Deployment in 18 industries
The ZH lifting and rotating device is used across industries for assembly, welding and maintenance work, especially where heavy or bulky components need to be repeatedly rotated and machined at different working heights:
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Automotive industry : Assembly and welding processes
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Cockpit module assembly : ergonomic positioning
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Chassis technology : Assembly stations for shock absorbers and springs
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Metalworking : safe handling of heavy components
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Defense industry : Scaling up production volumes
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Mass production : reproducible production lines
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Mechanical engineering: Assembly and maintenance of components
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Further details of the 18 industries served by ZHHT are available upon request.
FAQ / Q&A
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
01 What is a lifting and rotating device ZH?
The ZH lifting and rotating device is a two-column rotary station that lifts components and rotates them 360 degrees. It provides ergonomic positioning for assembly, welding, or testing processes and is available with either pneumatic or electric spindle drive. Unlike a simple manipulator, it is designed as a stationary or mobile unit into which the component is placed and then freely rotated without needing to be held during processing.
02 For which load capacities is the ZH lifting and rotating device designed?
The pneumatic version is designed for components up to 350 kg, the electric version with spindle drive for components up to 4,000 kg. For higher load capacities or different geometries, we manufacture customized solutions, as is typical for our special-purpose machine construction.
03 What is the difference between the pneumatic and the electric versions?
The pneumatic version is suitable for simple applications with an existing compressed air supply and lower load capacities up to 350 kg. The electric version with spindle drive offers higher positioning accuracy and load capacities up to 4,000 kg, ideal for precise assembly and welding processes with tight tolerances.
04 Is the ZH lifting and rotating device also available for load capacities higher than 4,000 kg?
Yes. In addition to the standard versions, we also manufacture the ZH lifting and rotating device as an individual special solution for higher load capacities and different component geometries, adapted to your specific application and your component.
05 Does ZHHT also supply the component adapter for the turning station?
Yes. Unlike many competitors, we design and manufacture the matching component adapter directly, so you receive the ZH lifting and rotating device as a complete, ready-to-use solution, instead of having to design and provide the adapter yourself.
06 How are components inserted and laid out in the lifting-rotating device ZH?
Loading and unloading can be performed using our manipulators, the ZH90 lifting axis, or the ZH lifting lift. This provides you with a turnkey solution comprising a turning station, component adapter, and handling technology from a single source, instead of having to coordinate components from multiple suppliers.
07 Can the ZH lifting and rotating device also be ordered as a standalone unit without a manipulator?
Yes. The ZH lifting and rotating device is also available as a standalone unit without additional handling technology, similar to the offerings of other manufacturers in this market segment. Combining it with a manipulator, lifting axis, or hoist is an option, not a requirement.
08 Which industries use the ZH lifting and rotating device?
The ZH lifting and rotating device is used, among other things, in the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, metal processing, the defense industry and in other of the 18 industries served by ZHHT for assembly, welding and maintenance work.
09 What certifications does ZHHT have for the manufacture of the ZH lifting and rotating device?
ZHHT manufactures according to ISO 9001 and is certified according to TISAX Level 2 with prototype protection. This ensures the production of sensitive component adapters for our customers' development projects.
10. How does the rotary motion of the ZH lifting-rotating device work technically?
The component is fixed between the two lifting columns via the component adapter and rotated reversibly up to 360 degrees by a motor-driven rotary ring. In the two-column version, the drive is located on one column, and the second column rotates along with it, similar to the operating principle of conventional lifting and rotating devices.
11. What safety devices are installed in the ZH lifting and rotating device?
Depending on the design, the safety concept includes a safe control system with emergency stop function, optical and acoustic warning devices before movement begins, and an electronically monitored synchronization control between the lifting columns, so that work can also be carried out below the raised component.
12. How much does a ZH lifting and rotating device cost?
The price depends on the chosen design, the load-bearing capacity, and the individually designed component adapter. Since each system is tailored to the specific component, we will prepare a customized offer after receiving your inquiry.
13. How long is the delivery time for a ZH lifting and rotating device?
The delivery time depends on the design, load-bearing capacity, and engineering complexity of the component adapter. We will provide you with a specific delivery date after clarifying your requirements during the quotation process.
14. How does the ZH lifting and rotating device differ from a classic turning device without a lifting function?
A simple turning device typically only rotates a component around a fixed axis. The ZH lifting and turning device combines lifting and rotating in a single system, allowing the component to be raised to the ergonomically appropriate working height instead of just being turned.