automatica 2025 Schaeffler presents innovative system for manufacturing X-ray machines

2025-06-24 | Munich/Erlangen

• Schaeffler Special Machinery is setting new benchmarks in the industrialization of medical equipment
• Booth showcases production systems for medical technology and volume manufacturing of humanoid robots
• Innovative, semi-automated manufacturing system speeds up production of high-precision tubes for X-ray machines

| At automatica 2025 in Munich, Schaeffler Special Machinery will present innovations for the production of the future. At this leading fair for automation and robotics, the company will focus on intelligent production automation for applications in medical technology and the volume production of humanoid robots. A particular highlight is the presentation of a system to manufacture high-performance X-ray tubes that the company developed on behalf of Siemens Healthineers AG.

“At automatica, Schaeffler Special Machinery confirms that it is the preferred system partner when it comes to innovative solutions for the production of the future in almost all customer segments,” says Bernd Wollenick, Senior Vice President Schaeffler Special Machinery. “Our innovative system concept for our partner Siemens Healthineers represents a milestone in our successful business development. The system for the semi-automated manufacture of X-ray tubes not only allows the more flexible manufacture of high-performance products but also improves ergonomics at the workplace.”

Industrialization of medical equipment
In the medical technology segment, outstanding product quality, reliability and maximum precision are of immense importance. For companies in the medical technology industry, Schaeffler Special Machinery develops innovative, customized machinery and equipment that need to meet the most stringent quality standards and norms.

With its production system for X-ray tubes, Schaeffler Special Machinery is setting new standards in the industrialization of medical equipment and combines flexibility, efficiency and precision in one concept. The objective was to develop one of the most modern production systems for medical technology in Europe at the High Energy Photonics Center in Forchheim in collaboration with Siemens Healthineers. The High Energy Photonics Center is the first fully digitized factory where all core components for X-ray-based imaging are designed and manufactured. In the new manufacturing facility, production processes are optimized using heat treatment furnaces integrated directly into the production system, weighing stations that can capture components weighing up to 80 kg with an accuracy of up to two grams, and specialized test benches for helium leak detection. To meet the most stringent quality requirements, a comprehensive acoustic test with airborne and structure-borne sound level measurement was integrated into the workflow.

When developing the production line, particular attention was paid to the continuous worker guidance system, which is facilitated by a user-friendly human-machine interface. This ensures a seamless and efficient workflow for all participants. By embedding the production line into the plant simulation system, test results and engineering data are efficiently processed and evaluated. The flexible assembly and testing concept approach allows the manufacture of a wide range of product variants and the integration of automated guided vehicles, to make the best use of the trend towards automation. Schaeffler Special Machinery ensures not only the assembly process for the x-ray tubes but also all testing processes and the internal material flow between the individual stations.

Volume production and the integration of humanoid robots
Groundbreaking concepts for robot-assisted production are another key focus area of the Schaeffler presentation at automatica. In this way, the special machinery manufacturer is leveraging its decades of technology expertise to accelerate the volume production of humanoid robots. The company is developing modular and scalable production solutions that allow it to adapt to increasing production requirements. Thanks to flexible assembly and testing facilities, Special Machinery covers almost all components of the humanoid body, e.g. by providing winding technologies for electric motors, assembly of linear and rotary actuators, universal joints, and battery technology.

Schaeffler at automatica 2025
Schaeffler Special Machinery will showcase its innovative production solutions at Booth 310 in Hall A5 at automatica from June 24 to 27, 2025.

Learn more about Special Machinery’s trade fair presentation at automatica: automatica 2025 | Schaeffler Special Machinery