Many customer projects provide confirmation of the successful cooperation in Schaeffler's Global Technology Network and therefore of the great benefit it brings Schaeffler's customers worldwide. Since July 2012, Schaeffler has combined the existing local expertise in the different regions and countries with the knowledge and innovative strength of its experts who work globally in the Global Technology Network. Schaeffler is strengthening its local expertise and bringing engineering and service knowledge even closer to its customers through the introduction of 21 certified Schaeffler Technology Centers worldwide and collaboration in global expert networks.

Plant manufacturers and operators therefore receive the optimum rolling bearing solution, which integrates the combined expertise of the network, from their Schaeffler sales engineer in next to no time. The premium solutions developed by Schaeffler are documented as Global Technology Solutions. In addition to the technical approach, the benefit to the customer – which in many cases can be expressed in figures as a definite saving – is also recorded. The projects that are documented show in detail how optimum solutions are created based on customers' requirements and how the Global Technology Network plays a part in doing this. An overview of all Global Technology Solutions is available at this link: Global Technology Solutions

Global Technology Solution: Increased performance for a copper mine
A complex conveyor system that transports 150,000 tons of ore per hour over a distance of eight kilometers is at the heart of a large copper mine in the USA. The customer's plan was to increase the speed of this system by 50 percent without altering the foundation or the base surface. The challenge for Schaeffler was to supply bearings that were suitable and that fitted into the existing housings, as well as withstanding the extreme conditions. After making thorough calculations, an engineer from the Schaeffler Technology Center in Danbury determined that the customer's requirements could be fulfilled by upgrading to bearings in the new X-life version. The planned start of production for the new version was moved forward by more than a year in collaboration with the department responsible in Germany. This made it possible for the delivery date set by the customer to be met. In addition, a specialist from Schaeffler Canada developed a new special housing, which allowed a weak point in the system that had previously led to frequent unplanned downtimes to be improved. The Schaeffler sales engineer presented the customer with this comprehensive solution with rolling bearings and housings, which was specially designed to suit his requirements and led to a saving of several million dollars, within a very short period of time. The customer was able to achieve the desired performance increase without having to make expensive major alterations to the system.

Global Technology Solution: Professional bearing mounting saves money
Grupo Cementos Portland Valderrivas is Spain's largest cement manufacturer and a world market leader in this area. The customer contacted the Schaeffler sales engineer because the four bearings in the roller press had reached the end of their maximum operating life and had to be replaced. This press performs a key function in the cement manufacturing process, so correct mounting of the bearings is one of the decisive factors in terms of machine availability and the quality of the end product. Experts from the Schaeffler Technology Center in Barcelona, who have extensive experience in the relevant production processes and in mounting rolling bearings, trained the customer's fitting personnel on site. The four new bearings were mounted using the hydraulic method. The process was explained step by step to enable the fitting personnel to carry out the work independently in the future. The overall cost of the four FAG spherical roller bearings, including professional bearing mounting, were approximately #8364; 140,000. Because the customer was able to avoid an unplanned downtime of two days thanks to the professional support from Schaeffler, these costs are offset by a saving of #8364; 240,000 euros, however.

Global Technology Solution: Reliable diagnosis on vibrating screens at Spaleck GmbH & Co. KG
Spaleck is a medium-sized mechanical engineering company whose products include vibrating screens and screening machines. Since vibrating screens are often positioned at the start of long production processes, unplanned downtimes and associated production stoppages result in considerable costs. Spaleck looked for a reliable online monitoring system to increase the availability of its own vibrating screens and thus the machine availability of its customers. The special challenge is to filter out the right information for diagnosing damage because vibrating screens generate a high level of vibration. The Schaeffler sales engineer was able to offer this customer the perfect solution: The FAG SmartCheck. However, the innovative and cost-effective device not only offers precise and reliable monitoring, but also simple start-up and operation. Factors contributing to this include more than 20 parameter templates with which the measuring device is equipped as standard and which have ensured problem-free operation at Spaleck. The FAG SmartCheck has proven itself and made a totally convincing case under the rough conditions that exist in the field of vibrating screens. Thanks to this intelligent measuring system, the machine manufacturer can reliably monitor the most important vibrating screen conditions and improve machine availability.

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