Mithilfe von sieben neuen Maschinen von GF Machining Solutions will Sanco Dies and Moulds aus Pune (Indien) eine Spielzeuglinie auf den Markt bringen.
New technologies for electric vehicles
GF is developing unique solutions for customers to help them make more environmentally friendly vehicle components. For the Schaeffler Group plant in Höchstadt (Germany), GF Machining Solutions supplied machines as well as the integration and automation solution. This is one of the largest orders for the division in recent years.
The sci-fi movie “Back to the Future” came out almost 40 years ago, but has by no means lost its cult status. The final scene in particular is now legendary. “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads,” says Doc Brown as he and Marty McFly lift off. With a bang and a flash, the two time travelers find themselves in the future. It’s 2015 and the skyscape is full of flying cars.
GF focuses on electromobility
GF recognized early on that mobility is one of the most important drivers of social change, and that it is in great need of fresh ideas. GF has therefore focused its research and development activities on giving customers the right solutions for their environmentally friendly vehicles and associated components.
Pure fiction? Not quite.
The reality today has little to do with what we once thought the future would look like. While our cars remain on the ground rather than up in the sky, the world is looking for ways to replace fossil fuels and make mobility more environmentally friendly. However, what the film showed back then and what we now know for sure is that internal combustion engines have had their day. The future is electric, among other alternative forms of propulsion, and low CO2.
GF has been working towards this future for many years. It develops and produces innovative and sustainable solutions such as lightweight cast components to reduce the weight of vehicles or machine tools for making automotive components – for mobility that’s fit for the future. All around the world, companies in the automotive and supplier sectors count on GF’s expertise.
© Anna SchrollOne of these companies is Schaeffler, a global supplier to the automotive and industrial sectors, which is developing mobility solutions for the future in accordance with its Roadmap 2025. The family company headquartered in Herzogenaurach (Germany), about 200 kilometers north of Munich, employs some 84’000 people worldwide. With its technologies and services for CO2-efficient drives, electromobility, Industry 4.0,digitalization, and renewable energies, Schaeffler is working to make mobility more efficient, more intelligent, and more sustainable. GF and Schaeffler have a rich history and a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, underscored by GF’s Strategy 2025 and Schaeffler’s Roadmap 2025.
Cyriaque Steffen
Position: Head of the Tool Technology Center
Division: Schaeffler
Location: Höchstadt (Germany)
Joined Schaeffler in: 1999
“We experience GF as a reliable partner that looks for and finds solutions.”
Cyriaque Steffen Head of the Tool Technology Center at Schaeffler in Höchstadt (Germany)
Schaeffler is already operating more than 80 production machines and twelve automated systems from GF Machining Solutions across nine locations. Last year, GF provided Schaeffler Group with ten Milling machines, twelve wire EDM machines and three linear automation cells, as well as System 3R Tooling packages, among others. Schaeffler will use these in the manufacture of tools for automotive components, including electric motors.
“At the new location in Höchstadt, we are utilizing modern development and production technologies that make optimal use of digital processes and significantly increase our efficiency,” says Cyriaque Steffen, who is in charge of construction and management for Schaeffler’s Tool Technology Center in Höchstadt (Germany). “That’s where GF Machining Solutions is helping us. We get a package of solutions from a single source.“
An unprecedented contract
For GF Machining Solutions, this solution package is one of the largest contracts in recent years. Schaeffler ordered the new Milling machines due to their very good experience with similar machines. “We see this as a very strong sign of trust,” says Stephan Eckert, Head of Automation & Product Support at GF Machining Solutions in Schorndorf (Germany) and project manager for Schaeffler. “All this reflects a strong customer relationship and reliable, partnership-based project work.” Moritz Matthes, Technical Project Manager at GF Machining Solutions, is part of this team and values the solution-oriented interaction. “From the very beginning, I had the feeling that everyone had the same goal and that they were all pulling together,” says Matthes.
Stephan Eckert
Position: Head of Automation & Product Support
Division: GF Machining Solutions
Standort: Schorndorf (Germany)
Joined GF in: 2018
Cooperation between Schaeffler and GF stretches back an impressive 40 years. If difficulties ever arose during that time, they were overcome together. For example, in 2018 the team went through an exemplary learning process. In cooperation with Schaeffler, GF planned and implemented measures for improvement. Regular meetings and service calls ensured that machines and automated systems functioned properly again. “In the end, this phase really helped us to move forward together,” says Eckert. “It is also why we have the privilege of continuing to support Schaeffler with our expertise and new machines.”
© Anna Schroll
© Anna SchrollFor Cyriaque Steffen, this mutual openness is the foundation for success. “During our regular meetings, we experience GF as a reliable partner that looks for and finds solutions.” In the spirit of Going Forward, both partners are now working together with a view to the future. GF Machining Solutions will continue to innovate for Schaeffler.
Partner in future-oriented technology
An interview with Stephan Eckert from GF Machining Solutions and Cyriaque Steffen from Schaeffler.
Against the backdrop of the transformation in the automotive industry, what are the challenges faced by suppliers?
Cyriaque Steffen: With the changes in the automotive industry, suppliers have to develop completely new products that can be manufactured. Today, that might be parts for an electric vehicle’s drive train. But tomorrow, entirely different innovative products could be in demand. We’re also expected to be agile and to respond with new solutions as toolmakers.
Can you give an example?
Cyriaque Steffen: The requirements have changed. The primary focus is materials and surfaces, as well as general manufacturability. GF Machining Solutions has a good package of total solutions.
What does that look like?
Stephan Eckert: GF Machining Solutions has many different high-precision manufacturing technologies in its portfolio, and with System 3R, it also covers Automation/Tooling. The digital solutions are from Symmedia, among others. This combination enables us to cover a broad scope of customer requirements with our own technologies and expertise, even for complex projects. Since we can count on proven partnerships for advanced technologies, as a general contractor, we can offer customer-specific solutions from a single source.
© Anna Schroll