Rack and pinion drive Z series

Overview
STOBER's rack-and-pinion Z-series provides a compact, ready-to-install drive system tailored for machine tools, automation and robotics. The family comprises multiple series (ZS, ZV, ZR, ZTR, ZTRS) covering applications from high flexibility to maximum feed force and high power density.

Highlights / Benefits

• Ready-to-install, high-rigidity rack-and-pinion gearboxes in numerous combinations to meet load-capacity and precision requirements.
• Precision gear racks available in lengths of 0.5 m, 1 m and 2 m; optional double bore patterns to increase contact pressure and reduce pinning needs.
• Series variants for different application profiles: ZS (precision racks), ZV (high flexibility), ZR (high feed velocities), ZTR (high performance, compact pinions), ZTRS (high force with supporting bearing holder for maximum power density).
• Backlash-free, positive-locking shaft‑hub connections available (shrink-fit and feather‑key options).
• Multiple mounting and motor-adapter options to suit installation and motor interface requirements.

Series Summary

• ZS (gear racks): Helical, case‑hardened and ground; gearing quality 6; module range 2–8 mm; lengths: 0.5 m, 1 m, 2 m.
• ZV: Helical-toothed series offering high flexibility for automation and robotics; pinion can be mounted flush or at shaft shoulder; backlash-free shaft‑hub connection; combinable with P, PE, K, KS or KL gearboxes.
• ZR: Large helical pinions with bolt‑circle design for high feed velocities; pinions available without additional flange for improved price-performance.
• ZTR: Very precise, high-performance series with small pinion diameters and high linear rigidity; pinions with welded screw flange for simplified mounting; suited to feed axes where supporting bearing holders are interfering contours; combinable with PH and PHV series.
• ZTRS: Bolted supporting bearing holder with internal stiffening ribs enabling use of full gearbox torque; optimizes power density and rigidity; ideal for machine-tool feed axes, laser machines and highly dynamic handling systems; combinable with PH, PHQ and PHV series.

Features (examples)

• Output pinion: helical gearing, case‑hardened and ground; typical gearing quality Q5–Q6 depending on series.
• Bearings: standard, axial or radially reinforced options available.
• Mounting position: any (flexible installation orientation).
• Lubrication & maintenance: rack-and-pinion lubrication is the customer's responsibility; recommended high-quality synthetic-oil-based greases (NLGI class 0). Certain gearbox housings (PH / PE / KL variants) may be lubricated for life with specified synthetic lubricants.
• Paint: standard RAL 9005 (Jet black).
• Motor adapters: multiple adapter solutions (clamp coupling variants, bellows coupling with thermal compensation, plug-in coupling with integrated brake, square motor adapters for right-angle versions).

Applications

• Portal milling
• Horizontal machining units
• Pick-and-place systems
• Laser cutting and laser machines
• Tube bending and sheet-metal bending
• 7th-axis implementations
• Vertical and horizontal turntables

Documentation & Downloads
Relevant technical documentation and catalogs are available (product catalogs, mounting instructions, safety and operating manuals) to support selection, configuration and servicing of rack-and-pinion gearboxes.

Technical specifications

• Gear racks (ZS): module 2–8 mm; gearing quality 6; max. feed force for ZS: approx. 1.3 – 124 kN depending on module and configuration; lengths: 0.5 m, 1 m, 2 m.
• ZV (representative): module 2–4 mm (ZVP/ZVPE/ZVKS variants); number of teeth typically 16–25; acceleration feed force approx. 1.7 – 15 kN (series-dependent); permitted feed velocity approx. 0.14 – 5.3 m/s; linear backlash examples: 8 – 44 µm for some variants.
• ZR (example ZRPH): module 2–4 mm; teeth 30–40; acceleration feed force approx. 3.1 – 16 kN; permitted feed velocity 0.29 – 6.7 m/s; linear backlash approx. 10 – 56 µm.
• ZTR (example ZTRPH): module 2–6 mm; teeth 12–32; acceleration feed force approx. 6.5 – 67 kN; permitted feed velocity 0.11 – 4.7 m/s; linear backlash approx. 4 – 44 µm.
• ZTRS (examples ZTRSPH / ZTRSPHV): module 3–8 mm depending on subseries; teeth typically 15–32; acceleration feed forces approx. 20 – 79 kN (subseries-dependent); permitted feed velocities and backlash depend on configuration (example backlash 8 – 56 µm).
• Highest-power variants (ZR/ZTR/ZTRS examples): acceleration/peak feed forces up to the order of 124 kN for large-module designs (application-dependent).
• Output pinion mounting: flush with shaft end or with shaft shoulder; pinions available with welded screw flange or bolt‑circle designs.