Leading globally through innovation, agility, and efficiency
For more than 70 years, the Schaeffler Group, as a leading global automotive and industrial supplier, has been driving forward pioneering inventions and developments in the fields of motion and mobility. Digital innovation is an integral part of the Schaeffler world and has opened opportunities for them and their customers along the entire value-added chain. Schaeffler wanted to optimize their engineering IT environment to create an integrated, agile, and consistent IT landscape for developers. Fully embracing the digital transformation and seeing it as an opportunity has allowed them to exceed expectations in building a digital thread for mechatronic design and software-driven innovation.
Challenges: Becoming an agile organization
Schaeffler has spent decades working in the field of bearing supports for moving machine parts, so they understand the critical factors that impact electronic components in mechatronic systems. However, they needed to develop a more systematic approach and an end-to-end development environment to support new “cross-discipline” innovations. For example, electric axles and drive-by-wire systems (steering without a steering column) are key elements of their electric mobility strategy but require increasing software skills, tools, and processes. Mechanical and hydraulic components are being replaced by electrical and mechatronic parts. Additionally, the IT infrastructure (ERP, PDM, PLM) must transform to bring these systems closer together through digitalization and automation to meet mechatronic needs.
Improving competitiveness through transparency and complexity reduction
Software-driven innovation
Software-driven innovation posed many challenges at Schaeffler as they looked to understand the needs of their customers. This included the need internally for a cultural shift towards software-centric approaches, difficulties with legacy systems, and at times, limited resources. Financial challenges arise as well from the cost of initial investments and integration, while architectural and regulatory issues require improved solutions. Additionally, Schaeffler needed to rethink development and supplier relationships, with a focus on transforming corporate culture.
Regulatory and customer needs
The requirements for Schaeffler’s products are increasing significantly, so they must prioritize compliance, such as cybersecurity and product safety, to prevent manipulation. Ensuring functional safety and meeting automotive and industry standards is crucial. With new alternatives in engine drives and evolving regulations, safety and cybersecurity are key. They cannot release products without addressing these issues comprehensively.
Enterprise collaboration
At Schaeffler, collaboration is a challenge due to thousands of people working on a single product across different global locations. This requires more formal communication and the use of advanced digital collaborative tools. Additionally, as digitalization advances, the need for stronger collaboration between engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams has become increasingly important to ensure smooth operations and efficient product development.
The digital thread—the strategy behind Schaeffler’s digital agenda.
Successful execution of any strategy begins with the workforce and management team relying on transparency, trust, and teamwork. Schaeffler is establishing a digital thread with targeted measures that are changing the perception of IT, reshaping the culture, sharing data, managing change, and more. These include:
- Visibility – Improve traceability, leading to increased efficiency.
- Enablement – Enhance the daily workflow of engineers.
- Measure – Collect feedback from groups.
- Motivation – Reduce time spent on repetitive tasks.
- Trust and Confidence – Ensure high data quality and openness.
Solution spotlight
Model-based definition/Model-based enterprise
MBD/MBE are crucial elements for Schaeffler to ensure continuity from model design and associated data to all downstream processes. By relying on digital models as a single source of truth, Schaeffler eliminates missing or misinterpreted information, promoting clarity and reducing errors. The use of 3D models enhances traceability throughout the product lifecycle, enables better change management and decision-making.
Digital thread
Schaeffler leverages a PLM-based digital thread to enable consistency, collaboration, and alignment across the enterprise by providing a continuous flow of accurate product data. For Schaeffler, the digital thread serves as a foundational enabler of successful digital transformation initiatives by establishing a more integrated approach across design, engineering, and manufacturing.
Enterprise collaboration
Enabling and improving collaboration across a worldwide organization is a key component of Schaeffler’s digital transformation initiatives. By using PLM as the centralized data source, Schaeffler is able to leverage the power of a digital thread to centralize data, making it available to all relevant stakeholders. Schaeffler enables end users with access to the right product information at the right time and in context.
Requirements and change management
For Schaeffler, effective requirements and validation practices are more than just an integral part of developing and engineering complex products and systems. They are vital to mitigating risk and ensuring customer satisfaction and regulatory requirements. Change management plays a crucial role in the support process helping to control the configuration management.
Creo—generative and multibody
With a network of Creo users, generative and multibody design brings speed, agility, and consistency to Schaeffler’s product design. Generative is leveraged to optimize designs early in the concept phase to meet requirements and reduce weight and overall cost. With multibody, more innovative designs are developed faster with existing workflows.
Implementation spotlight: Windchill
Collaborative product development
Engineering change management
Product data management
BOM management
Product variability management
Explore PTC’s Windchill, the product helping Schaeffler achieve their digital innovation initiatives.
Experience the power of the digital thread and enable the seamless flow of information across the enterprise.