The Future of Automotive Drivetrains: The Schaeffler Group Hosts Symposium to Discuss Transmission Trends and Engine Challenges

DETROIT, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- To discuss the latest trends and share advancements in powertrains with its automotive customers, the Schaeffler Group is hosting its 9th Schaeffler Symposium today at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The full-day event will focus on the latest developments in transmissions, with a special focus surrounding the challenges of engine developments, through expert presentations, technical sessions and product demonstrations.

Reflecting the importance of system development and partnership, the 2010 Symposium has been expanded to include products for all aspects of the drivetrain from the entire Schaeffler Group via two parallel sessions – engine and transmission. The technical sessions are combined with a multi-faceted product demonstration that will showcase current and future Schaeffler components and technologies.

"With the motto 'Driven by the Next Generations' our 2010 event offers a glimpse into our vision of future trends, challenges and designs of automotive drivetrains," said Marc McGrath, President LuK North America and Director of Product Line Torque Converter, Schaeffler Group. "The industry as a whole is currently facing a number of challenges, such as stringent CAFE regulations and emission reduction targets, and these issues will only be overcome through partnership. We feel the Schaeffler Symposium will provide the platform to develop and foster key collaborations for successfully managing these obstacles."

Among the engine and transmission trends being discussed at the Symposium are: friction reduction through optimizing bearing performance for improved fuel economy; challenges in torque converters and vibration dampers; advanced variable valve timing technology; thermal management for faster engine warm-up; future innovations in dry double clutches; and a variety of other solutions for fuel efficient cars and future powertrains.

"Our goal is to demonstrate how a series of small changes can have a big impact," said Jeff Hemphill, Region Director, Technical Product Development, Schaeffler Group. "For example, some of the advancements we're discussing today can add up to a 20 percent increase in fuel economy without major reinvestment or development effort."

Among the product innovations that will be showcased at the event will be new concepts for dry and wet double clutches, the first production fully variable electro-hydraulic valvetrain, the first production automotive pendulum absorber, a new turbine tilger damper, a new crankshaft pulley decoupler, a variable water pump concept, a novel differential which reduces space and weight and increases torque power, and more.

"The Schaeffler team is diligently working to develop the technological advancements that address the industry challenges that our customers face daily," said Bruce Warmbold, president and CEO, Schaeffler Group North America. "We will continue hosting discussion forums – like today's Symposium – as a platform to collaborate with our customer partners and to gain insight on the critical needs of our industry."

The Schaeffler Symposium has its roots in the decades old LuK tradition of sharing advancements and technology at the LuK Symposium held every four years in Germany, the U.S. and Asia. This is the sixth time that the event has been held in North America and the first time that it included products and technologies from all three of the Schaeffler brands.

With its brands INA, LuK and FAG, the Schaeffler Group is a renowned supplier to the automotive industry as well as a leading manufacturer of rolling bearings worldwide. The company is among the innovation leaders in the world with more than 1,100 patent applications annually. Serving as a development partner with system expertise for the entire drivetrain, the Schaeffler Group manufactures precision products for engines, transmissions and chassis applications that ensure reduced energy consumption and lower emissions as well as increased driving comfort and safety.

To serve the North American automotive market, the Schaeffler Group operates development centers in Troy, Mich.; Fort Mill, S.C.; Wooster, Ohio; and Puebla, Mexico. Nearly 400 engineers and technicians support development in the region utilizing state-of-the-art test and measurement equipment, computational tools and CAD systems. Schaeffler Group 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 Group USA Inc.