The global megatrends of mobility and "Industrie 4.0" as well as the associated further development of rolling bearings, plain bearings and linear guidance systems in terms of loading, operating life and power density are the main features of Schaeffler Group's Industrial division's presence at the Hannover Messe 2015. In addition to the perennial themes of increasing performance, economy and energy efficiency, the subjects of sensors, actuators and networking as well as continuous condition monitoring and their intelligent use are key focus points in product development.
At the press conference in Hannover, Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, emphasized the importance of Schaeffler's strategy concept "Mobility for tomorrow" with its focal areas eco-friendly drives, urban and inter-urban mobility and the broad subject of energy: "Schaeffler's strength lies in its breadth of knowledge which covers not only the automotive sector but all other types of urban and interurban mobility such as two-wheeled transport, rail and aviation. In the field of energy, Schaeffler is working as a development partner for the generation of conventional and renewable energy as well as the most efficient possible use of applied energy through products with minimum friction." Increasing digitalization is a key trend for the development of new technologies. Intelligent and networked rolling bearing systems as well as mechatronic systems from Schaeffler are key components in machines and equipment and will play a major role on the path towards Industrie 4.0.
"The drive components with integrated sensor technology and smart actuators we are presenting in Hannover are a prerequisite for networking machinery and plant as well as for the control of autonomous processes in our customers' value added chain," according to Robert Schullan, member of the Executive Board at Schaeffler AG and CEO of Schaeffler Industrial. Rolling bearings play a decisive role in this context since they are responsible for guidance and positioning in addition to transferring all of the forces and movements. "Schaeffler is a leader in the expansion of rolling bearings to include sensors, actuators, control elements, and software components. Our aims range from continuous condition monitoring, for example, to independently locating solutions when error messages occur. Or active process control based on data from the bearings," says Mr. Schullan. An example for this is the integrated torque measurement module or the VELOMATIC automatic bicycle gearshift system. Mechanical components such as rolling bearings also offer enormous potential for optimization. Examples are the further development of the X-life range, the new bearing design TORB as well as solutions for preventing bearing damage in wind turbines.
Both stressed the outstanding role of the future market of India, the partner country for Hannover Messe this year. "The Schaeffler Group has been active in India for many years and maintains its own development, production and sales locations. This means we can provide valuable technological support with the investments that are set to be made in the country's mobility, infrastructure and industry," says Mr. Rosenfeld. Schaeffler is already developing and manufacturing products for the Indian market at four locations. In addition to the automotive industry, the most important industrial sectors for Schaeffler in India are agricultural engineering, the steel and textile industries, motorcycles and railways, and also production machinery and wind power. Schaeffler has recently certified its first Schaeffler Technology Center in India at the Vadodara site. Extensive engineering and service know-how can now be accessed quickly and locally to provide optimum customer service. "When it comes to 'Mobility for Tomorrow', energy-efficient, cost-effective, and durable components for engines, transmissions, and chassis play a major role when it comes to India's growing market for two-wheel vehicles, for example. Schaeffler is making a significant contribution to reductions in consumption and emissions as well as to increasing reliability, robustness and economy," says Mr. Rosenfeld.
At the press conference in Hannover, Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, emphasized the importance of Schaeffler's strategy concept "Mobility for tomorrow" with its focal areas eco-friendly drives, urban and inter-urban mobility and the broad subject of energy: "Schaeffler's strength lies in its breadth of knowledge which covers not only the automotive sector but all other types of urban and interurban mobility such as two-wheeled transport, rail and aviation. In the field of energy, Schaeffler is working as a development partner for the generation of conventional and renewable energy as well as the most efficient possible use of applied energy through products with minimum friction." Increasing digitalization is a key trend for the development of new technologies. Intelligent and networked rolling bearing systems as well as mechatronic systems from Schaeffler are key components in machines and equipment and will play a major role on the path towards Industrie 4.0.
"The drive components with integrated sensor technology and smart actuators we are presenting in Hannover are a prerequisite for networking machinery and plant as well as for the control of autonomous processes in our customers' value added chain," according to Robert Schullan, member of the Executive Board at Schaeffler AG and CEO of Schaeffler Industrial. Rolling bearings play a decisive role in this context since they are responsible for guidance and positioning in addition to transferring all of the forces and movements. "Schaeffler is a leader in the expansion of rolling bearings to include sensors, actuators, control elements, and software components. Our aims range from continuous condition monitoring, for example, to independently locating solutions when error messages occur. Or active process control based on data from the bearings," says Mr. Schullan. An example for this is the integrated torque measurement module or the VELOMATIC automatic bicycle gearshift system. Mechanical components such as rolling bearings also offer enormous potential for optimization. Examples are the further development of the X-life range, the new bearing design TORB as well as solutions for preventing bearing damage in wind turbines.
Both stressed the outstanding role of the future market of India, the partner country for Hannover Messe this year. "The Schaeffler Group has been active in India for many years and maintains its own development, production and sales locations. This means we can provide valuable technological support with the investments that are set to be made in the country's mobility, infrastructure and industry," says Mr. Rosenfeld. Schaeffler is already developing and manufacturing products for the Indian market at four locations. In addition to the automotive industry, the most important industrial sectors for Schaeffler in India are agricultural engineering, the steel and textile industries, motorcycles and railways, and also production machinery and wind power. Schaeffler has recently certified its first Schaeffler Technology Center in India at the Vadodara site. Extensive engineering and service know-how can now be accessed quickly and locally to provide optimum customer service. "When it comes to 'Mobility for Tomorrow', energy-efficient, cost-effective, and durable components for engines, transmissions, and chassis play a major role when it comes to India's growing market for two-wheel vehicles, for example. Schaeffler is making a significant contribution to reductions in consumption and emissions as well as to increasing reliability, robustness and economy," says Mr. Rosenfeld.
