The automotive industry is evolving. The trend toward more electromobility is also changing the way cars are being manufactured. In some cases, this has a serious impact, not only on automakers themselves, but also on suppliers. Jürgen Hechler, Global Application Engineering Leader at 3M, is nevertheless confident: "We expect the demand for high-precision abrasives to continue to grow, despite the discussion about electromobility." Among other things, 3M supplies the automotive industry with abrasives for machining gears and shafts.
Every so often manufacturing is jolted out of its inertia by a transformative technology – one that fundamentally changes not only the way products are made, but also the economics of the business.
Whether you spent time at Gear Expo in Indianapolis or EMO in Hannover, there was certainly new technology
attracting attention. Machine tools are faster, more efficient and can integrate numerous functions in a single setup. Grinding technology is turning science upside down and inside out with high-speed removal rates and increased throughput.