SKF to showcase innovative solutions at the Tech and Innovation summit

At the Tech and Innovation Summit, SKF will unveil a broad range of products and solutions to continue serving customers with more efficient, reliable, and sustainable technologies. You are welcome to join the webcast on December 11 – 12. The one-hour virtual event, themed "Turning motion into meaning", puts the spotlight on innovations essential for addressing urgent global issues like climate change and resource scarcity.

Innovation and technology development is core at SKF. The Group’s strategy is designed to create significant customer value in targeted markets through sustained innovation leadership and increased efficiency. With a focus on empowering customers to transform their operations and drive greater sustainability, SKF has during the last years transformed its R&D portfolio so that more than 90% of the projects are focused on high-growth segments.

The Tech and Innovation summit focuses on tailored solutions aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and reducing emissions for customers in industries like railways, machine tools, metals, mining, industrial electrical systems, and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning).

Products and solutions showcased at the Tech & Innovation summit

SKF Infinium - the next generation of bearings
SKF is transforming the manufacturing and use of bearings with a revolutionary model that maximizes material use through a circular approach. This model enables SKF Infinium – the next generation of bearings, where products have multiple lifecycles with significantly less energy consumption and raw materials compared to new manufacturing, reducing CO2 emissions through a circularity-focused design. Not only is this approach feasible, but it is also profitable for customers, as evidenced by SKF Infinium performing in some of the toughest operating environments.

Innovative HVAC solutions to address climate change
Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making energy-efficient HVAC solutions crucial for reducing environmental impact. High speed electric motors on Magnetic bearings have emerged as a leading technology in addressing the energy efficiency and environmental challenges of the HVAC industry. Magnetic bearings eliminate friction and wear, needing no oil lubrication and ensuring a clean, pollution-free operating environment. Already used in energy, semiconductor, and machine tool industries, this technology can boost energy efficiency by over 95%, far exceeding standard motors. Magnetic bearings provide a reliable, efficient, and sustainable solution in response to concerns about climate change and energy use.

Improved reliability in railways
SKF's new range of tapered roller bearings, developed in close collaboration with the customer, enhances performance and durability for demanding track conditions. They can handle up to 1.5 times higher dynamic loads and reduce friction by up to 20% in output shaft bearings, leading to lower energy consumption and improved sustainability.

Performance-enabling solution for industrial electrical systems
With global businesses aiming for net zero, the need for electric solutions is increasing. At the summit, a key highlight is SKF Hybrid ceramic bearings designed for the evolving needs in electrification and automation. SKF Hybrid ceramic bearings, which integrate steel rings with engineered ceramic rolling elements, can reduce friction by up to 50% with an optimized machine design and boost operating speeds by up to 25% compared to all steel bearings. The bearings' longevity, reduced energy use, and minimal maintenance requirements make them an efficient and sustainable choice for superior performance in many applications.

Advancing innovation with real-time load sensing in the mining sector
Mining companies need reliable data to optimize operations and meet growing demand for minerals. One of the most remarkable innovations introduced for the rapidly evolving mining industry is SKF Insight sensor-bearing system, providing real-time load data to the machine’s control system. This helps customers to increase output, efficiency, and productivity, thereby maintaining their competitiveness.

Innovative solutions for increased machine tool productivity
As precision, automation and miniaturization evolve, the demands on machine tools keep growing. Productivity is boosted by speed, so SKF has developed the innovative UltraFast series of Super-precision bearings, delivering a perfect balance between speed and stiffness for faster machine performance. These bearings also offer significantly reduced frictional torque and other features to support the drive towards reduced energy use.