Schaeffler marks 30 years of camshaft phasers with more than 480 million units built
Schaeffler has produced around 480 million camshaft phasing systems since its first hydraulic unit entered series production in 1996, and the technology still has new plants ahead.
- 480 million
- 1996
- 6
- 2028
What Happened
Schaeffler is marking three decades of camshaft phaser production. Development of the variable valve train control began in 1990, and the hydraulic camshaft phaser entered series production in 1996 at the company's headquarters in Herzogenaurach. Since then the company has produced around 480 million camshaft phasing systems, led today by its lead plant in Hirschaid. The systems adapt valve timing to demand and improve the engine output and torque curve of combustion engines, including in hybrid vehicles.
480 millionunits
Built since the first hydraulic unit went into series production in 1996
Series production of the first hydraulic camshaft phaser generation starts at the Herzogenaurach headquarters for a four-cylinder gasoline engine.
Further series launches follow for various European and North American vehicle and engine manufacturers.
Production of the second generation begins in Hirschaid, which becomes the central site for developing and industrialising camshaft phasers.
Series production of the electric camshaft phaser starts in Hirschaid.
Production is scheduled to start at an additional plant in India.
- Uses the engine's oil pressure to change camshaft position precisely, with robust construction, high performance, low leakage, minimal space requirements and a locking mechanism in the base position for safe engine starts.
- Works independently of engine oil pressure and is designed to make modern engine systems ready for the Euro 7 emissions standard; its core components are a brushless DC motor, a gearbox and a sprocket.
- Improved torque curve, lower idle speed, lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption; the electric version also improves noise, vibration and harshness behaviour and significantly cuts CO2 emissions and fuel use, especially at engine start and in hybrid drives.
- Hirschaid is the lead plant, steering technological development, industrialisation and international knowledge transfer for camshaft phasing systems across the Schaeffler Group.
- Six plants produce the systems, located in Europe, North and South America, China and Asia.
- A further plant is due to start production in India in 2028.
“The success story of our camshaft phasing systems is a prime example of Schaeffler's innovative strength and customer focus. The continuous development of the product group supports our customers in meeting rising demands on consumption, emissions, acoustics and driving comfort in modern combustion engines. Whether hydraulic or electric technologies, Schaeffler delivers solutions for different drive concepts and market requirements.”
“Hirschaid is Schaeffler's lead plant for all worldwide activities in the field of camshaft phasing systems. From here, Schaeffler controls and supports technological development, industrialisation and international knowledge transfer within the Schaeffler Group. Our international network enables short sales channels in the markets, close cooperation with our customers and flexible adaptation to regional requirements.”
Why this matters
Camshaft phasers are a small but very high-volume component that help combustion engines — including hybrids — cut fuel use and emissions, so the milestone shows how much of Schaeffler's business still rests on combustion hardware. Schaeffler says the product helps customers meet rising demands on consumption, emissions, acoustics and driving comfort in modern combustion engines, and its electric version is aimed at the Euro 7 emissions standard.
Terms in This Story
- Camshaft phaser
- A component that adjusts the rotational position of an engine's camshaft, which controls when the valves open and close, so valve timing can vary with operating conditions.
- Variable valve timing
- Engine technology that changes when intake and exhaust valves open and close instead of using a single fixed timing in all conditions.
- Euro 7
- A European emissions standard for vehicles that sets limits on pollutants released in exhaust gas.
- Brushless DC motor
- An electric motor that switches current electronically rather than with carbon brushes, reducing wear on the motor.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.