Schaeffler AG has invested in a new production facility of ceramic components in Schweinfurt, Germany. Accordingly, the company put up its own facility in a bid to boost flexibility and optimize the value chain.

Ceramic materials offer a high degree of hardness, low specific weight, low friction, and electrical insulation properties. Primarily, ceramic components’ applications encompass wherever conventional materials cannot provide the necessary performance and stability. Moreover, in areas where there are special requirements for the electrical shielding of components.

The ceramic components produced in Schweinfurt and Livange will be used in many promising growth areas like wind power, railway, aerospace, and medical and electronics machinery. Hence, they will rapidly gain in importance considering the increasing electrification in all industries.

Technology of the Future at Schweinfurt Site

Recently, Schaeffler completed its acquisition of specialty manufacturer CERASPIN, which has been developing and producing premium ceramic products for more than 25 years. Thereafter, Schaeffler will then cover almost the entire supply chain in this strategically important area.

The capacity to grind ceramic balls represents a further step in the consolidation of activities at the Schweinfurt site. Particularly, in the ball bearing center at the headquarters of the company’s Industrial division.

Dr. Michael Pausch, Head of R&D at Schaeffler Industrial, said, “With the opening of the new ball grinding shop in Schweinfurt, Schaeffler is taking a great tradition into the modern age. Through his invention, Friedrich Fischer and his company FAG Kugelfischer had for the first time enabled the mechanical mass production of steel balls as far back as 1883. We are now expanding our capacities for the manufacture and processing of high-value ceramic components, allowing us to optimize our entire supply and value creation chain. The new ball grinding shop will allow a future-oriented use of ceramic products in our strategic growth segments.”

First Ball Grinding Machine

For the Schweinfurt site, the establishment of the grinding shop is not just a step into the future but also sheds light on its origins. In 1883, Friedrich Fischer heralded the age of mass production with his grinding machine. For the first time, his machine made it possible to grind hardened steel balls to be even and perfectly round according to the principle of “centerless grinding” – and in large volumes no less.

Most importantly, Fischer’s workshop gave rise to FAG Kugelfischer, which was taken over by Schaeffler in 2001.