Machine feet and leveling feet for various applications

Articulated and fixed-base leveling feet are height-adjustable mounting elements consisting of a threaded stud and a base plate. These components ensure that machines and equipment are stable and precisely leveled while compensating for uneven floors, if necessary. A wide range of requirements can be met by selecting the appropriate materials and versions – from high load-bearing capacity and corrosion protection to hygiene and damping properties.

Construction and function of leveling feet

• The threaded stud allows for precise height adjustment: The height can be adjusted precisely by turning.
• The base plate – which can be either fixed or articulated – ensures stable contact with the floor.
• With articulated leveling feet, the base plate adjusts to slopes and uneven surfaces via a ball joint. The load will be evenly supported even on sloped surfaces.

This allows you to set up machines easily, quickly, and safely and to make flexible adjustments during operation. Uneven mounting surfaces or slight slopes are specifically compensated for, which significantly reduces the effort required for alignment, particularly in machine construction.

Different versions and their practical benefits

• Material combinations of steel, stainless steel, plastic, or elastomers allow the leveling feet to be adapted to the specific environment – such as to provide increased corrosion resistance (e.g. GN 343.6 of stainless steel) or for hygienic applications (e.g. GN 19, hygienic design).
• Plastic foot disks (such as those used in GN 344 or GN 343.3) offer slip-resistant and noise-dampening properties, which further enhance stability.
• Models with various mounting options (external or internal threads, fastening holes), such as GN 344.9, make for flexible installation.

For example, articulated leveling feet made of ESD-rated plastic (GN 344.2) are used in electronically sensitive facilities. Stainless steel versions ensure long-term durability in humid environments. Models with fastening holes provide additional stability and resistance to tipping on slippery floors.

Typical applications for articulated and fixed-base leveling feet

• Leveling machines on uneven factory floors
• Safe installation of equipment racks in the food industry (e.g. GN 17, FDA-compliant)
• Vibration Damping Elements for equipment using rubber pads or plastic base plates
• Quick, tool-free leveling of workstations using eccentric adjustment

Leveling feet play a crucial role in ensuring precision and safety when setting up machines and equipment. Thanks to the wide variety of designs and materials, you can adapt flexibly to any installation situation and avoid time-consuming adjustments during alignment.

The main difference between fixed base and articulated leveling feet lies in their range of motion and intended use:

Fixed-base leveling foot

A fixed-base leveling foot is a sturdy, height-adjustable foot.

• Function: Adjust the height to level machines or furniture, for example
• Range of motion: Fixed – cannot be tilted
• Use: On level surfaces
• Example: Workbench, cabinet, machine on a smooth factory floor

Articulated leveling foot

An articulated leveling foot also has a movable joint between the threaded stud and the base plate.

• Function: Adapts to the surface
• Range of motion: Able to tilt / swivel
• Use: Uneven or sloped floors
• Example: Machines on sloped industrial floors

In short:

Fixed-base leveling foot = height-adjustable but rigid
Articulated leveling foot = height-adjustable + flexible (adapts to the floor)

Articulated and fixed-base leveling feet are precisely adjustable components designed for the safe setup and leveling of machines, systems, and equipment. The selection criteria are based on the requirements of the specific application and the environmental conditions. This allows you to select the ideal articulated or fixed-base leveling foot and ensure that your equipment is set up in a stable and level manner.

Key selection criteria for leveling feet

• Design and operating principle: Determine whether rigid (fixed-base) feet or self-leveling (articulated) feet are required. Articulated leveling feet compensate for uneven floors or sloped surfaces, which is especially helpful when dealing with hard-to-reach areas or surfaces that are not perfectly level.
• Adjustment range and thread type: The required adjustment range is determined by the design specifications. A variety of thread sizes and mounting options (external or internal threads, fastening holes) allow for flexible adaptation to machine feet and frame profiles.
• Choice of materials: Steel, stainless steel, or plastic – choose the material based on the environmental conditions. Stainless steel is recommended for applications involving exposure to liquids, moisture, or corrosion, such as in the food or pharmaceutical industries. Plastic and rubber components are used to protect sensitive surfaces and to dampen vibrations and noise.
• Surface properties: Consider models with a slip-resistant rubber pad or special ESD versions. These help prevent electrostatic discharge on sensitive equipment or ensure secure footing on slippery floors.
• Hygienic Design: Specially certified versions are available to meet hygiene and cleanroom requirements. This is crucial in food processing and pharmaceutical applications, where ease of cleaning and the prevention of dirt pockets are essential.
• Installation options: Choose between versions with or without fastening holes. Fastening holes provide additional support, especially under dynamic loads or in high-vibration environments.

Practical technical benefits

The machine can be securely positioned and efficiently leveled by carefully selecting the appropriate articulated or fixed-base leveling feet. This simplifies installation and ensures a smooth commissioning process, even on uneven industrial floors. In day-to-day production, this enhances operational reliability and ensures a durable, stable setup – ideal conditions for trouble-free machine operation.

Applications of articulated and fixed-base leveling feet

• Industrial and manufacturing machinery
• Laboratory equipment and systems in sensitive environments
• Material handling equipment, conveyor systems, and equipment that is moved between locations
• Equipment enclosures with specific requirements for hygiene, sound attenuation, or ESD protection

This allows you to tailor your setup to the specific requirements of your application, make precise adjustments, and at the same time enhance both safety and efficiency.

Both articulated and fixed-base leveling feet come in your choice of steel, stainless steel, and plastic. Each material offers specific advantages that make it easier to adapt to different environments as needed and ensure greater safety, longer service life, and easier maintenance.

Overview of material options

• Steel: Steel is used in many leveling feet, such as GN 343.1, GN 343.2, GN 6311.4, GN 339, and GN 40.
• Stainless steel: Stainless steel is used for demanding applications with high hygiene or corrosion resistance requirements, such as in GN 343.5, GN 343.6, GN 6311.6, GN 344.5, GN 345.5, GN 41, GN 44, GN 17, GN 18, and GN 19.
• Plastic: Plastic can be used for the base material or for the complete assembly, for example in GN 343.3, GN 343.4, GN 343.9, GN 344, GN 345, GN 445, and corresponding variants with internal threads and fastening holes.

Advantages of steel versions

• High stability and rigidity for medium- to heavy-duty machine structures
• Cost-effective for standard applications
• Ideal for dry, non-corrosive environments

This makes it possible to perform robust installations quickly and cost-effectively – for applications such as machine tools or indoor equipment.

Advantages of stainless steel versions

• Excellent corrosion resistance for humid or corrosive environments
• Hygienic design variants (GN 19, GN 20) for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cleanroom industries
• Low-maintenance and easy to clean

This allows you to ensure a permanently secure machine setup and hygienic cleaning even under demanding conditions. Stainless steel leveling feet are ideal for processing equipment in food production facilities or washrooms.

Advantages of plastic versions

• Lightweight
• No corrosion, resistant to many substances
• Cost advantage for lightweight machinery and equipment

Choosing the right material makes it easier for you to adapt efficiently to specific requirements and enhances the operational reliability of your machines. This way, you can always choose the best solution for your application.

Vibration Damping Elements reliably reduce the transmission of vibrations between machines and the ground beneath them. This improves smoothness of operation and prevents vibrations from being transmitted to the hall floor or adjacent equipment. This allows you to operate even sensitive measuring instruments or machine components with greater precision and specifically protect individual components from unwanted motion.

Benefits of leveling feet with vibration damping

• Reduction of vibration transmission: Cushioning elements in the foot help absorb vibrations. This reduces noise levels and improves the machine’s stability.
• Protection of electronics and precision components: Bearings, sensors, and control systems benefit from reduced vibration loads. This allows you to achieve higher-quality machining results on measuring stations or CNC machines.
• Preventing damage to floor coverings: The cushioning protects the machine as well as the surface it stands on and any sensitive coatings.
• Improving workplace safety: Reduced vibration ensures that mounting screws cannot come loose on their own. This enhances operational reliability in the midst of everyday industrial operations.

In most cases, the leveling feet from the Ganter product range can be easily combined with existing machine feet. For this purpose, Ganter offers a wide selection of different connection threads, threaded bushings, threaded studs, and base plate dimensions. This usually allows you to select the right connecting element for your preferred solution and use it right away. For compatibility, it is essential that the mounting thread and the size of the base match your existing machine foot mounting.

Compatibility tests for leveling feet

• Check the thread format: Ganter offers metric and, in some cases, inch threads to flexibly accommodate different connection types.
• Note the dimensions of the fastening holes: Many models (e.g., GN 344.9, GN 345.9, GN 445.9, or GN 245, GN 247) feature Fastening holes or fixing lugs, which allow for secure attachment to existing panels or frames.
• Select the material and design that best suit your needs. The product family offers stainless steel, plastic, and specialty versions for hygienic environments, ESD applications, or corrosion protection.

Practical benefits and handling

Virtually any machine setup can be achieved thanks to the wide range of sizes, mounting options, and material combinations. This makes it easier to install your machines so that they are level and stable, even if existing mounting brackets are already in place or are being refurbished.

Ganter’s leveling feet are ideal for use in retrofit projects, upgrades, or the replacement of worn machine feet, as compatibility with standard industrial dimensions is generally ensured.

You should take a systematic approach to selecting the correct size and type of leveling foot. First, consider the conditions at the installation site, the requirements for the machine or device, and any specific criteria for your application. This will help you find the right product quickly and reliably and avoid making the wrong choice.

Selection criteria for leveling feet

• Load capacity and machine weight: Specify the total weight that needs to be supported. Then choose the size and version so that the load capacity per foot is sufficient.
• Floor conditions: Check for uneven surfaces, slopes, or sensitive flooring. Articulated leveling feet flexibly compensate for uneven surfaces and ensure stability.
• Material requirements: Select the material based on the application environment: Steel for standard applications, stainless steel for high corrosion resistance or hygiene, plastic feet for lighter equipment or where chemical resistance is required
• Height adjustment / adjustment range: Make sure to check the required adjustment range.
• Installation: Do you need a fastening hole to anchor the foot in place and prevent sliding, or is it sufficient to simply install the foot on the machine?
• Hygienic Design: For environments with heightened hygiene requirements, opt for specially designed stainless steel leveling feet, such as GN 19 or GN 20, to ensure easy cleaning.

The leveling feet in the Ganter product range can be optimally configured for environments with high vibration levels or dynamic loads by specifically selecting models with vibration damping components or suitable material combinations. Choosing the right one improves stability and protects both the machinery and the surface. This ensures stable operation even under heavy load fluctuations and vibrations.

Key selection criteria for leveling feet subject to vibrations

• Rubber pads or elastomer components on the base plate effectively reduce vibrations and noise transmission.
• Models with anti-vibration or anti-slip bases ensure that equipment and machinery remain stable even under dynamic loads.
• The design should incorporate durable material combinations, such as plastic base plates with metal threaded studs or all-stainless steel versions for added strength and corrosion resistance.
• Fastening holes help secure the leveling feet to the floor and reliably prevent them from shifting due to vibrations.
• The generous adjustment range of the threaded stud allows for flexible leveling, even when the installation area requires room for movement.

What does this mean in practice?

By carefully selecting suitable leveling feet with vibration dampers – such as those featuring an integrated rubber pad, vibration damping, and fastening holes – you can prevent unwanted machine vibrations, reduce noise levels, and protect load-bearing components from material fatigue. This allows you to operate your equipment comfortably and safely, even in harsh, high-vibration environments

Depending on the version, Ganter’s articulated and fixed-base leveling feet comply with various standards and specifications, which specifically address requirements for hygiene, material properties, and certifications. For many products in the leveling feet family, you will find special versions designed for applications that comply with industry standards.

Key standards and certifications for Ganter leveling feet

• Hygiene standards: For industries with strict hygiene requirements (e.g., the food industry and medical technology), Ganter offers leveling feet such as GN 17, GN 18, GN 19, GN 20, and GN 24. These products comply with the principles of hygienic design and are certified according to the 3-A Sanitary Standard and DGUV Test and are FDA-compliant (suitable for food contact according to U.S. standards). This allows you to install machines in sensitive environments safely and in compliance with standards.
• Material standards: Stainless steel versions – such as GN 17, GN 18, GN 19, GN 20, GN 24, GN 21, GN 23, GN 44, GN 45, GN 41, and GN 43 – are made of high-quality alloys such as AISI 304 or AISI 316L. As a result, these components ensure corrosion resistance and reliability in harsh environments.
• Special requirements: Models such as GN 344.2 and GN 344.7 are available in antistatic ESD versions designed for use in potentially explosive or electrosensitive areas. They meet standard requirements for protection against electrostatic discharge.

What does this mean in practice?

By adhering to these norms and standards, you can select articulated or fixed-base leveling feet from Ganter that specifically meet your industry-specific requirements. This ensures that your systems are operated safely and in compliance with regulations – such as in food production, cleanrooms, or medical applications.

Overview of suitable products and their benefits

• GN 19, GN 20, GN 24: Hygienic design, 3-A certified, DGUV Test certified, FDA-compliant. Ideal for areas with strict hygiene requirements.
• GN 17, GN 18, GN 21, GN 23, GN 41, GN 44, GN 45: Stainless steel, high corrosion resistance, for harsh and humid environments.
• GN 344.2, GN 344.7: ESD-rated version, for protection against electrostatic discharge.

Recommendation

Be sure to take into account the relevant standards and material requirements for your industry when selecting your leveling feet. Use the product filter on the Ganter website to search specifically for certified or hygienic leveling feet. This allows you to install or retrofit systems and equipment conveniently, safely, and efficiently.

Ganter can also provide custom stud lengths, alternative threads, or specific base plate geometries for many of its articulated and fixed-base leveling feet upon request. Please contact Ganter Service directly with your requirements.

Yes – such leveling feet do exist, and they are even offered as standard products in a hygienic design

Leveling feet with EHEDG + 3-A + DGUV certification

A very typical example is the GN 20 series

• Stainless steel leveling feet, hygienic design
• Certified in accordance with:
  • EHEDG
  • 3-A Sanitary Standards
  • DGUV-Test

This combination is actually available – especially for versions with fastening holes (type B).
Important technical note:

• With fastening hole → EHEDG + 3-A + DGUV
• Without fastening hole → 3-A + DGUV

The reason: EHEDG requires a defined, leak-tight installation to prevent dead spaces.