Technical Data 　Linear actuator 　Zip Chain Actuator Selection

Selection Chart

The chart to the right presents the relationship between stroke and basic capacity.

Select a suitable model by confirming the required thrust per ZCA and stroke in the chart.

If more detailed examination is necessary, check if the selection suits the application using the calculations shown below.

Zip Chain Actuator Selection Chart

Selection Method

Machine to be used ..... Machine structure, number of ZCAs to be used, operating environment, etc.

Load ..... Load characteristics, load/workpiece mass, drive source, drive system, etc.

Mounting style ..... Mounting direction (lifting, horizontal, suspending), linear guide system

Operating speed ..... Speed required for ZCA operation

Stroke ..... Actual stroke used

1. Calculate the adjusted load Fs

Consider the characteristics of the load, refer to the service factor (Table 1), and then calculate the adjusted load (Fs).

Adjusted Load Fs N{kgf} = Required thrust P N{kgf}×Service factor Sf

Table 1 Service factor

Load characteristics Usage examples Service factor Sf
Smooth operation without impact
Small load inertia 		Switching a conveyor direction 1.0 to 1.3
Operation with light impact
Medium load inertia 		Transfer equipment
Raising and lowering lifters 		1.3 to 1.5

2. Calculate the thrust required per unit Fs1

Obtain the thrust required per unit (Fs1) from the adjusted load (Fs).
If multiple units are operated simultaneously, calculate Fs1 by referring to the multiple factor (Table 2).

Thrust per ZCA Fs1 N{kgf} = Adjusted Load Fs N{kgf} ÷(Number of multiple units ×Multiple factor Fg)

Table 2 Multiple factor

Number of multiple units ( units ) 1 units 2 cylinders 4 cylinders
Multiple factor Fg 1.0 0.83 0.69

3.Select model either with no drive section or with hypoid motor or with TERVO

4. Provisionally select the model

Consult the model list to confirm that the thrust per unit Fs1 is below the basic capacity of ZCA. When deciding the stroke, ensure some allowance with the actual stroke to be used.

[When model without drive section is selected ]

Consult the model list and provisionally select a model according to the thrust per unit and allowable stroke. Proceed to item 5 and subsequent items.

[When model with hypoid motor or with TERVO is selected ]

Consult the model list and provisionally select a model that satisfies the requirements for the thrust per unit, the operating speed of chain, and allowable stroke.

Proceed to item 9 and subsequent items. Refer to the lineup with a hypoid motor (click here) and with a TERVO (click here).

5. Maximum speed

Confirm that the operating speed does not exceed the predetermined maximum speed.

6. Confirming Required Input speed

Calculate the required input speed from the operating speed.

N = V×60/K　N：Input speed r/min　V：Operating speed mm/s　K：Zip Chain travel distance per input shaft rotation mm (Table 3)

7. Verifying Required Input Torque

Calculate required input torque.

T = Fs1×Dp 2×1000×η + To

T：Necessary input torque N・m{kgf･m}

Fs1：Required thrust per unit N{kgf}

Dp：Sprocket pitch circle diameter mm (Table 3)

η：ZCA overall efficiency (Table 3)

To：Mean unloaded operating torque N・m{kgf･m} (Table 3)

Table 3 Performance sheet

Model ZCA25 ZCA35 ZCA45
Total Efficiency η 90% 90% 90%
※Mean unloaded operating torque To N・m{kgf・m} 0.62{0.063} 1.63{0.17} 5.85{0.6}
Zip Chain travel distance per input shaft rotation K mm 95.3 142.9 240
Sprocket pitch circle diameter Dp mm Φ30.92 Φ46.48 Φ78.0

※Mean value of torque required to continuously rotate input shaft while the unit is unloaded.
Torque varies pitch by pitch, at each chain engagement.

8. Allowable Overhang Load

If the input shaft is driven by a chain, gear, tooth belt, V-belt, etc., make sure that the overhang load is lower than the allowable value shown below.

Allowable overhang load

O.H.L.：Overhang load N{kgf}

f：Transmission element factor (Table 4)

Lf：Factor by load acting position (Table 5)

T：Necessary input torque N・m{kgf・m}

D：Pitch circle diameter of sprocket, gear, pulley, etc. m

Allowable O. H. L. ≧ 2×T×f×Lf D

Table 4 Transmission element factor (f)

Chain Gears 　Toothed belt V-Belt
1.0 1.25 1.5

Table 5 Factor by load acting position (Lf)

X/A 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0
Lf 0.9 1.0 1.15 1.25

Table 6 Allowable overhang load

Model ZCA25 ZCA35 ZCA45
Allowable overhang load N{kgf} 638{65.0} 946{96.4} 2065{210.5}

9.Select optional accessories

Select options that best suit your needs.

  • ・Mounting Base
  • ・Cap
  • ・Bellows
  • ・Grease plate

10.Determination of model No.

11.Calculate required input capacity (Without motor )

Required input capacity P kW = T×N/9550

Notes ：
When the mean unloaded operating torque makes up 25% or more of the required input torque, the torque fluctuation caused by the chains engaging becomes larger. For smooth operation of the unit, select a model by increasing the mean unloaded operating torque (Table 3) as 1.5 times.

Be careful when selecting required input torque

When ZCA units are arranged in tandem as shown below, confirm that the required torque of the drive source is less than the allowable input shaft torque.

Be careful when selecting required input torque

Two units’ worth of required input torque is being transmitted to the input shaft on ZCA (1) on the drive source side.

Confirm that the combined torque of the two units falls below the allowable input shaft torque.

Required input torque on ZCA (1) T1

Required input torque on ZCA (2) T2

Required torque at the motor TM = T1 + T2 < Allowable Torque on Input Shaft

Selection example

Machine to be used ..... Lifter using two ZCA units, indoor use (factory) (Ambient temperatures, no dust )

Required thrust ..... Light impact, 1200 N {122 kgf}/2 units, geared motor with brake installed separately and connected by couplings

Mounting style ..... Four guide poles (lifting installation )

Operating speed ..... 250mm/s((Rated speed ：Acceleration/deceleration not determined )

Stroke ..... 450mm

Power Supply ..... 200V/60Hz

Selection example
SI Unit

ZCA

  • 1. Adjusted load Fs is (with service factor Sf = 1.3 )

    Fs = 1200×1.3 = 1560N

  • 2. There are two units operating (Fg = 0.83), so thrust Fs1 per unit is

    Fs1 = 1560÷(2×0.83) = 939.8N

  • 3. A gear motor with brake is installed separately, so there is no motor on the ZCA.
  • 4. Based on thrust and stroke per unit,

    ZCA35N050 is provisionally selected.
    939.8N < 1000N(ZCA35N050 allowable thrust )

  • 5. The operating speed is 250 mm/sec < 1000 mm/sec, so the speed falls below the allowable speed.
  • 6. Required input rotation speed is N = 250 × 60 ÷ 142.9 ＝ 105 r/min
  • 7. Required input torque per ZCA unit is

    T = 939.8×46.48÷(2×1000×0.9)+1.63 = 25.9N・m < 34.7N・m
    (Allowable Torque on Input Shaft )
    Required input capacity is P = 25.9 × 2 × 105 ÷ 9550 = 0.57 kW

  • 8. The units are connected by couplings, so there is no need to confirm overhang load.
  • 9. Selecting options
    Due to the layout, one ZCA has the input shaft on the opposite side.
  • 10. From the above, ZCA35N050EL and ZCA35N050ER are selected.

Motor (60Hz)

  • 1. Reduction ratio
    According to the table of hypoid motor characteristics, the output RPM closest to 60 Hz and 105 rpm would be 120 rpm with a reduction ratio of 1/15.
  • 2. Motor size selection
    P = 51.8×105÷9550 = 0.57(Select 0.6 kW or larger motor )
    From the above, select HMTR075-38L15TB, a 0.75 kW hypoid motor with foot mount type, and with brake.
    For details, please refer to "Tsubaki Compact Gearmotor 40W to 5.5kW".

Coupling

  • 1. Coupling speed 105r/min
  • 2. Torque on coupling 25.9N・m
    25.9×2.5(coupling service factor ) = 64.8N・m
    64.8N・m < 98N・m(NEF10W-J allowable torque )
    ECHT-FLEX Coupling NEF10W-J would be ideal.
{Gravity unit }

ZCA

  • 1. Adjusted load Fs is (with service factor Sf = 1.3 )

    Fs = 122×1.3 = 158.6kgf

  • 2. There are two units operating (Fg = 0.83), so thrust Fs1 per unit is

    Fs1 = 158.6÷(2×0.83) = 95.6kgf

  • 3. A gear motor with brake is installed separately, so there is no motor on the ZCA.
  • 4. Based on thrust and stroke per unit,

    ZCA35N050 is provisionally selected.
    95.6kgf < 102kgf(ZCA35N050 allowable thrust )

  • 5. The operating speed is 250 mm/sec < 1000 mm/sec, so the speed falls below the allowable speed.
  • 6. Required input rotation speed is N = 250 × 60 ÷ 142.9 ＝ 105 r/min
  • 7. Required input torque per ZCA unit is

    T = 95.6×46.48÷(2×1000×0.9) + 0.17 = 2.64kgf・m < 3.53kgf・m
    (Allowable Torque on Input Shaft )
    Required input capacity is P = 2.64 × 2 × 105 ÷ 974 = 0.57 kW

  • 8. The units are connected by couplings, so there is no need to confirm overhang load.
  • 9. Selecting options
    Due to the layout, one ZCA has the input shaft on the opposite side.
  • 10. From the above, ZCA35N050EL and ZCA35N050ER are selected.

Motor (60Hz)

  • 1. Reduction ratio
    According to the table of hypoid motor characteristics, the output RPM closest to 60 Hz and 105 rpm would be 120 rpm with a reduction ratio of 1/15.
  • 2. Motor size selection
    P = 5.28×105÷974 = 0.57(Select 0.6 kW or larger motor )
    From the above, select HMTR075-38L15TB, a 0.75 kW hypoid motor with foot mount type, and with brake.
    For details, please refer to "Tsubaki Compact Gearmotor 40W to 5.5kW".

Coupling

  • 1. Coupling speed 105r/min
  • 2. Torque on coupling 2.64kgf・m
    2.64×2.5(coupling service factor ) = 6.6kgf・m
    6.6kgf・m < 10kgf・m(NEF10W-J allowable torque )
    ECHT-FLEX Coupling NEF10W-J would be ideal.

When position control is needed, use a motor with an encoder or a servo motor.
(Contact a Tsubaki representative about using a motor with an encoder. )

The selection example above is just an example. Refer to the appropriate catalog when selecting the coupling, miter gear box, and motor.

Drive section

Hypoid Motor TA/TR Series

Hypoid Motor
  • ・Using a high-efficiency hypoid gear, TA/TR Series are a compact geared motor with minimal height.
  • ・Easy to use design with Tsubaki unique grease leak prevention feature and also available with multi stop positioning control with encoder type option.

Miter Gear Box

Miter Gear Box
  • ・The miter gear box ensures synchronized operation of multiple Zip Chain Actuators.
  • ・A wide variety of options for standard models, including size, shaft arrangement, speed ratio, and material.

ECHT-FLEX Coupling

ECHT-FLEX Coupling
  • ・Lubrication-free high-precision coupling is also available for servo motor drive options.
  • ・A wide variety of shaft coupling methods—including keyways, clamps, and taper locks—and detailed shaft bore machining at 1 mm increments.
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