Staff at Schaeffler's manufacturing base in Taicang celebrate the launch of the fourth production line of its third-generation wheel bearing and the production of 40 million units. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_5d51cb296177]

The manufacturing base of Schaeffler in Taicang, Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province recently achieved a significant milestone, producing the 40 millionth unit of its third-generation wheel bearing and saw the series' fourth production line officially put into operation.

Wheel bearings play a critical role in vehicle construction, supporting the weight by connecting the wheel end and the drive shaft, thereby influencing the stability, comfort, and safety of high-speed driving experiences.

Since 2015, Schaeffler, the world's second-largest manufacturer of rolling bearings, has been producing face spline wheel bearings in Taicang.

"The wheel bearings featuring face spline technology boast great advantages in areas such as friction, torque, and lightweight design. They can contribute to a 0.6 percent reduction in overall vehicle energy consumption, making them a sought-after choice among customers of new energy vehicles," said Lyu Xia, a plant manager of Schaeffler's Taicang manufacturing base.

The newly introduced production line stands out for its efficiency and automation. It seamlessly integrates dozens of processes, from raw material processing to finished product assembly. Remarkably, the production line can churn out a wheel bearing product every 10 seconds, with key dimensions subject to 100 percent automatic inspection to ensure unwavering product quality.

"With the commencement of the fourth production line, the overall production capacity of face spline wheel bearings is set to increase by 30 percent," Lyu added.

Schaeffler's premium wheel bearing products have garnered widespread application in vehicles from esteemed manufacturers, such as BMW, Volkswagen, Geely, Huawei, and Xiaomi.

A third-generation wheel bearing produced by Schaeffler at its manufacturing base in Taicang. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_5d51cb296177]