Schaeffler AG

The strategic direction and long-term growth perspectives, were presented and explained by global automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler, at this year’s Capital Markets Day which took place in Bühl with some 40 analysts and investors in attendance. Starting point was the strategy ‘Mobility for tomorrow’ announced last year and the proven model of an integrated automotive and industrial supplier with strong manufacturing expertise and systems know-how.

Schaeffler has appointed Dietmar Heinrich (53) to its Board of Managing Directors. On August 1, Heinrich will take up his role as Chief Financial Officer of Schaeffler, replacing Dr. Ulrich Hauck, who will not have his contract extended, and will be resigning on good terms. Heinrich has been with the Schaeffler Group for more than 22 years, having first joined in 1995, and has many years of experience in controlling and finance.

A strategic partnership has been signed by Oliver Jung, Chief Operating Officer of Schaeffler, and Qian Gang, CEO of the steel manufacturer CPS. The two companies want to strengthen their business relationship both economically and technologically. CPS has been a Schaeffler supplier for 13 years. The company primarily supplies the Chinese market, including the 13 Schaeffler production plants in China and the Asia Pacific region, but also locations in the USA and Europe. In addition, CPS supplies more than 50 Schaeffler suppliers with increasing annual growth rates.

A purchase contract has been agreed between Schaeffler and SEMIKRON International for the acquisition of 51% of the shares of Compact Dynamics. At the same time, Schaeffler and SEMIKRON have agreed on a cooperation for the development of power electronics systems and the integration of power electronics components.

More than 1,300 axlebox bearings and gearbox bearing sets have been successfully delivered to Hitachi Rail Europe’s flagship train maintenance centre in Ashford, by Schaeffler (UK). As part of an on-going bogie overhaul programme of Hitachi Rail Europe’s Class 395 ‘Javelin’ high speed trains further deliveries are planned this year.

Schaeffler has taken intelligent machine monitoring to a new level with its FAG SmartCheck monitoring system. This detects early signs of potential damage to rotating machines and instantly alerts the operators and/or control system so that appropriate actions can be taken. 

Schaeffler Pursues Holistic Approach with Regard to Electric Mobility

By introducing a new regime of condition monitoring from scratch, a steel rolling mill has not only avoided a number of costly breakdowns but also gained a greater understanding of its plant and improved the perception of condition monitoring across the site.

More than 300 FAG spherical roller bearings from Schaeffler (UK) Ltd are providing support for a new retractable roof at Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

A new range of miniature linear guidance sets has been specially developed to suit the latest generation of industrial machinery, which requires machine components that are compact and provide high performance and rigidity.

At this year’s Machine Building, Drives & Automation exhibition at the NEC (25-26 March 2009), Schaeffler (UK) Ltd (stand 808) will showcase a number of innovative linear motion products, including linear actuators, miniature linear guidance sets and a unique lubricant metering valve that cuts lubricant consumption by up to 25 per cent on linear guides.

Schaeffler’s innovative twin tandem wheel bearings and lightweight balancer shaft systems were both selected for preview presentations to an audience of automotive technical experts at this year’s Network of Automotive Excellence in Germany.

Hydraulic drives and pumps require precision bearings and seals that are reliable, efficient and able to withstand the most demanding operating conditions, says Dr Steve Lacey of Schaeffler UK.

A new overview guide to the complete range of linear bearings and guidance systems is now available from precision bearings manufacturer Schaeffler UK.

Schaeffler’s handheld vibration monitoring and balancing device, FAG Detector III, has been updated with a host of new features, making condition monitoring easier and more accessible to engineers of all skill levels.

The latest EU Directive 2002/44/EC stipulates the maximum permissible vibration thresholds for operators of electrical power tools. Schaeffler’s new Autobalancer for angle grinders cuts vibration by 50 per cent, improving operator handling and safety, whilst reducing grinding disc wear.

Schaeffler UK has just published a free reference guide to its range of monorail guidance systems and accessories, including linear recirculating roller bearing type and ball bearing type guideway assemblies, as well as complete linear guidance systems with linear recirculating ball bearing units.

The JK0S range of integral tapered roller bearings from Schaeffler are ideally suited to applications in which loads are very high but speeds comparatively low, such as pulleys, crane wheels and cable rollers.

In order to speed up delivery of linear guides and machined shafts, Schaeffler (UK) Ltd has opened a Linear Quick-Centre at its manufacturing plant in South Wales, offering UK customers significantly shorter lead times.

By introducing new digital functionality to its belt alignment and tensioning instruments, FAG Industrial Services has made its SMARTY2 and TRUMMY2 devices even more accurate and easier to use.