Scissor Lift Table Adjustment Moving Steel Coils Reliably

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NEFF Gewindetriebe GmbH

FAULHABER Drive Systems

Positioning strip steel coils requires enormous force and precision. In an adjustable lift table, linear actuators from Neff screw drives contribute to this. 3,900 Nm of torque get the system moving. Find out what matters when designing for these high loads.

In industrial production plants, drive systems must function reliably even under demanding conditions. Especially when adjusting heavy components, high force transmission, a robust design, and precise, repeatable motion are crucial. This was also demonstrated in a project at a cold rolling mill where linear actuators from Neff Gewindetriebe were installed: For height adjustment of lifting systems, a user employed the A-series linear actuators. In doing so, he uses the A100, the largest size. The manufacturer has had these actuators in its product range since 2023. They were developed for applications with forces of up to 1,000 kN – equivalent to 100 tons.

Drive Technology for Heavy Loads

The lift tables perform important tasks in the cold rolling mill: during the production process, they position and lift the heavy steel coils. Use in the cold rolling mill places high demands on power transmission and the reliable height adjustment of the lifting systems. Accordingly, the drive technology must be highly capable: it transmits large mechanical forces while simultaneously enabling controlled linear movement. 

In addition to normal operating mode, the start-up process is particularly relevant, since an increased torque is required when motion begins. Application-specific defined operating parameters are also taken into account in the design: in this case, a maximum duty cycle of 20 percent per hour was specified for operation, with the operating times evenly distributed. The application is located in a hall environment at 20 °C (approx. 68 °F). The required system power is 49 kW at 150 rpm.

Linear Actuator and Spindle for the Adjustment Task in the Cold Rolling Mill

In the lift tables, the user employs the A100 linear actuator from the Neff A series with a ball screw spindle KGS_R 160x30-RH. The ball screw design has a higher efficiency compared to the version with a trapezoidal screw spindle; however, it does not provide self-locking. The spindle has a lead of 30 millimeters (approx. 1.2 inches) per revolution of the drive shaft. At a speed of 150 revolutions per minute, this results in a lifting speed of 4.5 meters (approx. 15 ft) per minute. 

There is one direct drive per lifting unit. It is designed for a lifting force of 580 kN. The required operating torque is 3,120 Nm. For start-up, 3,900 Nm is available. This meets the requirements for the drive: high power transmission, a controlled lifting movement, and sufficient torque even during start-up. Since its installation in 2024, the solution has proven itself in the cold rolling mill.

Design Linear Motion Technology for Industrial Use

This use case shows: What is decisive is not solely the maximum performance capability of a drive. Only the coordinated combination of drive, screw drive, and the machine’s mechanical as well as operational conditions creates a reliable overall solution. 

The operating parameters—from lifting force and speed to lifting velocity as well as operating and starting torque—form the basis for the design. From selecting the suitable screw drive to the custom design of the drive system, the specific application is the central focus.

The A series offers various options for this purpose and can be adapted to the respective requirements of the machine. This results in drive solutions that operate reliably even under high forces and in difficult conditions.