TROY, Mich., April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As automakers work to differentiate their vehicles to meet industry and customer requirements, all aspects of vehicle design are being optimized. To bring industry experts together and foster valuable dialogue to further promote transmission optimization efforts, the International Car Training Institute (CTi) is hosting the 8^th Automotive Transmissions, HEV and EV Drives symposium and exhibition at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Mich. from May 12 to 15. As a leader in drive train optimization technologies, Schaeffler is playing a key role in this event with presentations, an exhibit and concept vehicle.

Schaeffler's Patrick Lindemann, vice president product development transmission technology; Alexander Pabst, application and project management; and Dr. Octavio Vargas-Cuadros, North American eMobility program manager, will discuss the company's latest transmission optimization at the event. Schaeffler, an event sponsor for the fourth year, will also exhibit at this year's event. The company will showcase key technologies related to the three presentations, its torque converter with centrifugal pendulum absorber that recently won a 2014 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award, as well as its Efficient Future Mobility North America Demonstration Vehicle that improves fuel economy by 15 percent.

"Each year, we participate in the CTi Symposium to present and discuss the topics and trends that will help move our industry forward," said Jeff Hemphill, chief technical officer, Schaeffler North America. "The event provides a forum to share ideas and an environment that generates the in-depth discussions with the automakers, transmission manufacturers and suppliers that have the ability to make great strides in transmission optimization."

At the conference, Lindemann will discuss the effects of engine cylinder deactivation on Wednesday, May 14 at 5:10 p.m. during the Engine/Powertrain/Vehicle Integration session. During his "Transmissions in Trouble? Engine Cylinder Deactivation and the Effect on the Drive Train" presentation, Lindemann will provide an overview of cylinder deactivation, the measurement of current production powertrains and what's next for the technology.

Presenting "Application in Automatic Transmissions for Optimization of the NVH Behavior" at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 15 in the NVH session, Pabst will discuss: the use of system interfaces in automatic transmissions to prevent noise excitation; rolling bearings with guiding function, high load carrying capacity and elastic characteristics for radial preloading of the shaft; and application-oriented design of the polygon shape with high tolerance requirements.

As part of the HEV session, Vargas-Cuadros will provide an overview of a customer survey on start/stop, details on an enhanced start/stop-related NVH behavior based on a pinion starter; and key insight on transmission technology. His "Transmission Technology for Comfortable and Efficient Micro and Mini Hybrid Vehicles" presentation is slated for 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15.

Created and organized by CTi, the 8^th International Automotive Transmissions, HEV and EV Drives symposium and exhibition (http://www.transmission-symposium.com/usa/) offers an international exchange of experiences and opinions between key automotive representatives. Participants, including automakers, transmission manufacturers and suppliers from the United States, Europe and Asia, will discuss the latest in technical developments and applications for conventional and alternative drives.

About Schaeffler
Schaeffler with its product brands INA, LuK and FAG is a leading provider of rolling bearing and plain bearing solutions and of linear and direct drive technology, as well as a renowned supplier to the automotive industry of high-precision products and systems for engines, transmissions, and chassis applications. The globally active group of companies generated sales of approximately 11.2 billion euros in 2013. With approximately 79,000 employees worldwide, Schaeffler is one of the largest German and European industrial companies in family ownership. With 170 locations in over 49 countries, Schaeffler has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, sales companies, engineering offices, and training centers.

To serve the North American automotive market, Schaeffler operates development centers in: Troy, Mich.; Fort Mill, S.C.; Wooster, Ohio; and Puebla, Mexico. The company's 400 North American engineers and technicians, who are supported by a team of more than 5,500 global engineers, drive development in the region utilizing state-of-the-art test and measurement equipment, computational tools and CAD systems. Schaeffler Automotive has headquarters in Fort Mill and manufacturing facilities in: South Carolina; Missouri; Ohio; Ontario, Canada; Puebla and Irapuato, Mexico. For more information, please visit www.schaeffler.us.

SOURCE Schaeffler