“This year’s CES exhibit is a significant milestone for Schaeffler as we show our expanded portfolio of products and how we are in a unique position to not only enable but accelerate the pace of change in our evolving industries,” said Marc McGrath, Regional CEO Americas. “From humanoid robots to automotive and industrial innovations, if it needs to move in any fashion, we are showing how Schaeffler is leading the way to bring motion to life.”

The merger with Vitesco Technologies, completed on 1 October, 2024, expands Schaeffler’s presence globally, adding new manufacturing plants and boosting the company’s research and development capabilities. Schaeffler’s solutions now cover the entire spectrum of motion, from power transmission to energy generation and sustainability, allowing for a seamless integration of technologies. Especially in the field of electromobility Schaeffler can now offer a comprehensive product range and can therefore support its customers in the growing e-mobility market in the best possible way.

Schaeffler highlights its commitment to innovation in motion technologies by showcasing the Humanoid Technology Exhibit, which offers interactive insights into the company’s key role in advancing robotics that simulate human movement. Schaeffler’s production technology capabilities, powered by advanced Artificial Intelligence and a core strength in vertical integration, drive greater automation and efficiency across operations, exemplified by the mobile cobot EMMA, which enhances flexibility and precision in dynamic production environments.

Additionally, the Motion Hub illustrates how Schaeffler’s eight motion technology product families integrate seamlessly to foster cross-industry innovation, demonstrating how the design of a single component can impact the functionality of other systems.

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DEX was designed to reimagine the dexterity and intelligence of autonomous mobile robot (AMR) platforms and their collaboration with shopfloor employees. Featuring bi-directional leg extensions, WLAN and middleware integration, 2D/3D SLAM-based precise localisation, as well as speech and gesture recognition capabilities, DEX serves as a research testbed to infuse functionality with smart social behaviours to support and boost productivity in industrial settings for a wide range of tasks.

Commenting on the award, Han Boon Siew, director at the Schaeffler Hub for Advanced Research (SHARE), said: “Being awarded the Best of the Best award for DEX from one of the most prestigious awards is testament to our continuous passion and commitment in developing cutting edge solutions to drive new possibilities for mobility and motion – both with our customers and for our production operations.”

The research project is part of Schaeffler’s SHARE programme that comprises a global research network with leading universities worldwide via its company-on-campus concept. The concept enables particularly intensive exchange and close cooperation between Schaeffler employees, scientists and academics through applied research to expand the current state of technology and transfer research insights into product development activities.

DEX was also designed in collaboration with Orcadesign Consultants, who worked closely with the SHARE at NTU technology team to visualise the concept and vision of DEX while integrating their insights and expertise in defining the user experience that included the robot’s form and touchpoints.

“At Schaeffler, we see collaboration as key to the strategic development of components and technologies in meeting the demands of future-oriented trends in the automotive and industrial sectors. With the SHARE programme, we look to bridge our components and system expertise with the technology competence of academic institutes and industry experts to enhance our technological and methodical capabilities,” Han added.

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Ewellix’s sales and R&D teams and its six production and customizing sites – which together have a combined workforce of around 1,200 – constitute a strong business unit and will work closely with the Schaeffler Industrial team to realize synergies.

“By acquiring Ewellix, we are further strengthening our industrial business and are continuing to follow through on our strategy despite these volatile times,” said Schaeffler chief executive officer Klaus Rosenfeld. “This acquisition represents a further step in the diversification of our business as a global automotive and industrial supplier and will put us in an even stronger position to invest in attractive growth markets. The deal is another key milestone that will make the Schaeffler Group even better prepared for the future.”

Linear technology promises to be a major driver of growth within the global industrial technology business over the coming years. The shared focus in this area is on high-growth sectors of the market, such as industrial automation, robotics, medical technology, the food and drinks industry, and mobile machinery.

Ewellix is a global company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Formerly the linear technology arm of SKF, it was acquired by the investment firm Triton in 2018 and repositioned as a stand-alone company under the Ewellix brand. Its core products include actuators, lifting columns, robot range extenders, ball and roller screws, and linear guides (monorail guidance systems and linear ball bearings). These products are used in a wide range of applications and equipment types, including medical technology, mobile machinery, assembly automation, robotics, and various other areas of industry.

“By acquiring the Ewellix Group, we are significantly expanding our industrial division’s linear technology footprint, particularly in areas of strategic importance for the future,” said Dr Stefan Spindler, CEO for the industrial business at Schaeffler. “I am familiar with Ewellix and know it to be a very well-run business unit with a strong customer and sales focus backed by solid product development. Consequently, the company has a rich pipeline of highly innovative solutions and customer projects.

“We will support the Ewellix team in the implementation of their bold growth plans. We will leverage synergies at every step of the way and partner with them to further develop the manufacturing systems at their production units.”

The purchase price for the acquisition, which will take the form of a share deal, is approximately EUR 582 million. This amount does not include the net debt of Ewellix of approximately 120 Million Euro which will be assumed by Schaeffler, nor does it include transaction costs. The purchase price will be paid from existing internal and external financing sources. The deal is expected to lead to an improvement in Schaeffler’s earnings per share in the mid-single digit percentages by as early as 2024.

The closing of the purchase agreement is subject to market customary closing conditions with regard to merger control and foreign direct investment clearances. Closing is expected to occur by the end of 2022.

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Schaeffler offers its customers linear actuators as customised turnkey solutions. The compact, ready-to-install linear axis solution developed by Schaeffler consists of a MDKUVE tandem actuator, a corresponding adapter plate for the cobot, an appropriate motor/gearbox unit, prefabricated motor cables, a drag chain for all of the cobot’s supply lines/cables, and a motor controller. The solution comes complete with Profibus, Profinet, and EtherCAT interfaces for connection to the customer’s control system. The linear axis solutions have various options for connecting to the motor/gearbox units. Customers also have the option of using their drive technology instead of the Schaeffler drive solution if they so wish.

Depending on customer requirements, the linear axis can be supplied in various lengths and can be driven by a MDKUVE-KGT ball screw drive, a MDKUVE-3ZR toothed belt drive, or a linear motor.

In the tandem actuator, which forms the basis of the linear axis, the guide carriage runs along two parallel KUVE-type monorail guidance systems (four-row linear recirculating ball bearing and guideway assemblies). Due to its compact design envelope, the tandem actuator is ideally suited for use in applications involving high carrying and moment loads – such as collaborative robots. Tandem actuators offer maximum reliability in these applications when used in conjunction with triple toothed belt drives.

For applications that require extremely high carrying and moment-load capacities, customers have the option of running the guide carriage on a KUSE-XL six-row linear recirculating ball bearing and guideway assembly in premium X-life quality.

The linear axes are available in a range of lengths, depending on the drive being used. They can even be implemented as multi-part axes for added range in applications that involve longer travel paths. This flexibility means the compact linear axes be can easily integrated into new and existing automation solutions. As a further option, Schaeffler also offers an assembly and installation service.

Tandem actuators driven by ball screw drives are available in a range of lengths up to a maximum of 5.9 metres and offer repeat accuracy of 0.025 mm and a maximum linear speed of 1.7 m/s. Tandem actuators driven by toothed belt drives, on the other hand, can be implemented as multi-part axes with lengths of up to 18 metres for applications where especially long travel paths are required. These longer implementations support very high linear speeds of up to 5 m/s and offer a repeat accuracy of ±0.1 mm.

Due to their compact, high-performance design, these plug-and-play linear axes also have applications in areas other than collaborative robots, most notably in the periphery of handling and assembly equipment and in factory automation.

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An intelligent mix of customisable, high performance linear system components from Schaeffler, as well as mechanical and electrical drive elements from well-known suppliers and partners, form the basis of ready-to-use, cost-effective linear systems and solutions.

Schaeffler engineers can integrate a wide range of components and systems such as linear guidance systems, toothed belt drives, ball screw drives, planetary screw drives, measuring systems, rotary encoders, carriages, lubrication systems, end switches and covers into Schaeffler’s in-house developed extruded aluminium profiles. In addition to standard components, Schaeffler also develops and manufactures customised linear systems that are optimised for the specific load scenarios using finite element methods.

These linear systems are manufactured as plug-and-play electrical systems using a range of direct drives, servomotors, controls and sensors. Combined with Schaeffler’s comprehensive range of rolling and linear bearings, as well as rolling bearing expertise, the result is a range of innovative solutions with a high degree of integration.

Telescopic actuators

The MTKUSE series of telescopic actuators from Schaeffler is designed specifically for secondary axes such as pick-and-place applications or for tool transfer. Three precision linear ball bearing and guideway assemblies are arranged on top of each other such that the possible travel distance is more than twice that of the basic actuator. The linear unit can extend in both directions.

A geared servomotor is mounted on the outside of the aluminium profile and drives the actuator via a rack-and-pinion drive. On request by the customer, servomotors from different suppliers and suitably prepared, low backlash precision planetary gearboxes can be fitted. End switches and distance measuring systems can be integrated on request.

An indirect evaluation of the frictional torque and therefore the condition of the bearing is also possible via the servo controller using current detection and position error monitoring.

High precision linear table

The LTP series of high precision linear tables from Schaeffler are specified when tools need to be moved precisely and with high repeat accuracy during machining or inspection. The linear slide is supported by a high precision-machined aluminium plate on high accuracy linear recirculating ball bearing and guideway assemblies.

These assemblies ensure smooth, quiet running and a low displacement resistance. The LTP table is driven by a servomotor and a ball screw drive (a direct drive version is also available). Distance measuring systems and position switches can be included.

The LTP high precision linear table is available in three sizes with a grey cast iron, vibration-damping option. The tables can be fitted with bellows or a telescopic metal cover for protection from foreign objects and liquids. A coupling housing (KGEH) is available for use as a universal, open interface to accommodate different servomotor suppliers. An indirect evaluation of the condition of the frictional torque and therefore the condition of the bearing (or spindle) is also possible with linear tables via the servo controller.

High precision linear tables are also used as secondary axes in machine tools for transferring tools or to drive laser guidance systems for marking or coding of tools.

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