Rolling out high-precision technology SLF

ROLLING OUT HIGH-

PRECISION TECHNOLOGY

SLF is a market leader in the development and manufacture of high-quality precision bearings. Philip Yorke reports on its latest innovative bearings and major investments in new plant and technology.

SLF was founded in Fraureuth, Germany, in 1993 and has grown steadily to become a recognised global technology market leader in its sector. The company manufactures ball and roller bearings with outer diameters that range from 40mm to 1600mm. The company also produces special, customised bearings according to its customers’ specifications. In addition, SLF manufactures high-quality spindles which offer quiet running and long lifecycles, combined with very low maintenance. SLF spindles are carefully calculated and designed according to the performance and working speed required by its customers and can be designed to operate at speeds of more than 120,000 rpm.

Today, the company offers a range of exceptional quality products and design capabilities. The company’s dedicated service portfolio includes the repair of spindles regardless of their brand, as well as a reconditioning service for bearings of any make. Currently SLF (Spindel-und Lagerungstechnik Fraureuth GmbH) employs more than 390 people and in 2012 recorded sales of over €50 million.

Superior precision and customer service

SLF has built its enviable global reputation on an uncompromising commitment to quality, innovation and customer service. The company’s extensive service portfolio

includes a wide range of service options, such as technical consulting, which is supported by CAD construction services and lifetime performance calculations. This in turn enables the company to produce special designs in the shortest and most practical timescales. SLF’s integrated quality assurance system also ensures that the necessary tests are conducted at each individual stage of production from prototype to the final finished product.

In order to maintain its unrivalled reputation for quality and reliability, SLF continues to invest heavily in new plant and technology. During the last 15 years the company has invested more than €17 million in a purpose-built, state-of-the-art production hall that comprises the latest advanced, automated production technology, as well as a modern complex of administrative offices.

Dr Frank Schlegel, the company’s managing director, said, “In order to guarantee the highest levels of quality and reliability, every single one of our products is designed, tested and manufactured under our strict quality controls here in Fraureuth, Germany. What is more, each individual bearing and spindle is subjected to a programme of comprehensive bench and final test procedures. Our continuous quality management system is verified by certification in compliance with ISO 9001:2008. Our production facilities meet the highest international standards which clearly endorse the reputation of our brand, which is proud to confirm that it is ‘Made in Germany’.

Mr Schlegel added, “Our high quality roller bearings and spindle units are providing unparalleled performance in machines throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and North and South America, as well as in over 40 countries worldwide. Currently we are consolidating our production capabilities and have just entered an interesting new market, which is the alternative energy market. We believe that wind-driven power plants are a future-proof and environmen-

tally friendly renewable source of energy. We have therefore taken advantage of this by expanding our product range to meet the specific requirements of this important growth sector of industry. These same products are also capable of meeting the diverse requirements of a variety of mechanical engineering applications, both on land and at sea. Today we are supplying our products to customers all over the world and our main goal is to expand our activities in each of our key international markets.”

Maximum quality and care

More than 80 per cent of all the raw materials used by SLF for its high quality products are sourced in Germany or other member states of the European Union. The company meets the challenging demands of its customers with regard to quality and reliability through an optimal combination of the latest production technology and the in-depth expertise of its engineers and other highly skilled SLF personnel.

The company is happy to accept any challenge when it comes to providing the most efficient and cost-effective solutions for its clients, whether this includes roller bearings that are designed for special lubrication, special heat treatment, special radial clearance or superior precision. The company can also produce high-precision angular contact ball bearings up to P2S (ABEC9) in both standard and high-speed designs as well as sealed configurations and DLR versions. The latest product innovation launched by SLF recently is its ceramic cylindrical rollers, which are not only produced for SLF bearings but are also sold to external clients.

When it comes to precision spindles, SLF rigorously tests both new and repaired spindles and verifies final inspection with a test report which contains a complete breakdown of the spindles’ relevant performance data, such as vibration, radial run-out, temperature and rigidity. SLF’s spindle units are utilised for drilling, milling and turning and with belt-driven grinding spindles up to 1000mm in length and with integrated motors capable of more than 120,000rpm. In addition, very large spindle dimensions are also available upon request. n

For further information about SLF’s highquality roller bearings and spindles visit: www.slf-fraureuth.de