Schaeffler Showcases Rail Innovations for Efficiency, Sustainability at InnoTrans 2026
Schaeffler will present an expanded rail portfolio including friction-optimized bearings, linear motion systems and remanufacturing services at InnoTrans 2026 (Hall 21, Booth 430).
- 95%
- 1996
- 430
What Happened
Schaeffler will present an expanded rail portfolio at InnoTrans 2026, Hall 21, Booth 430. The motion technology company has been an exhibitor at InnoTrans since 1996 and says modern rail vehicles must be operated more reliably, efficiently and sustainably. Its portfolio spans bearings for high-speed and freight trains, linear guides, electromechanical actuators, digital services, maintenance services and automation solutions. The company aims to reduce maintenance effort and total cost of ownership (TCO) while using resources more efficiently.
“As a rolling bearing manufacturer with decades of experience in the development and production of wheelset bearings, we have the required application expertise and understand our customers' needs. Our products and solutions are technologically leading and offer real added value for our customers.”
Schaeffler is advancing friction-optimized TAROL wheelset bearings for rail vehicles to meet increasing demands for energy efficiency, longer maintenance intervals and high availability. Development relies on computer-aided design and optimization tools such as Bearinx OptiKit and experimental verification on test rigs worldwide. A newly developed friction balance for grease-lubricated wheelset bearings under realistic operating conditions helps precisely quantify friction losses, refine bearing designs and validate calculation models with real measurement data.
- Electromechanical drives
- Ball and roller screws
- Linear guides
- Wheelset generators based on direct drive technology
These systems are used in passenger rail for door opening systems and pantograph actuation. EWELLIX CAHB linear drives enable quick and safe raising, lowering and locking of current collectors. In freight transport, the drive and system solutions support automated locking and coupling systems as well as tarpaulin, flap and unloading door openings. Electromechanical actuators replace pneumatics and hydraulics, providing reliable, energy-efficient and fully networked drives for modern freight wagons.
Schaeffler's remanufacturing service covers wheelset, gearbox and traction motor bearings as well as slewing rings and cam rollers. The company is expanding its local on-site refurbishment concept worldwide with partners. Smart Maintenance Tools, including self-centering mechanical and hydraulic pullers and thermal tools, are designed to make maintenance safer, more efficient and material-friendly. These tools help workshops shorten maintenance times, save energy and increase operational safety.
95%%
depending on the degree of refurbishment for rail components
Why this matters
Modern rail must become more reliable, efficient and sustainable while facing rising automation, maintenance and service-life demands. Schaeffler's rail solutions aim to cut maintenance effort and total cost of ownership for passenger and freight operators. Remanufacturing can reuse components and save up to 95% of resources, supporting more sustainable rail operations.
Terms in This Story
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
- The full cost of acquiring, operating and maintaining a product over its lifetime, including energy, maintenance and downtime costs.
- Remanufacturing
- Rebuilding used components to a like-new condition, saving material and energy compared with producing new parts.
- Pantograph
- A spring-loaded device on a train roof that collects electrical power from an overhead contact wire.
- Wheelset bearing
- A bearing that supports a train wheelset and allows the axle to rotate with low friction.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.