Passion for technology
Schunk Blog

From 3D printing to injection molding, from e-mobility to renewable energies: We love technology. The Schunk Blog not only focuses on solutions for your industry but also on the people who bring our passion to life every day. If you are interested in the latest technology trends, looking for career tips, or want to gain insight into the working world of Schunk, you have come to the right place.

October 1, 2024

Comprehensive Guide to electric vehicle charging systems

The arguments that electric vehicles are still too expensive, take too long to charge, have too short a range or always require a cable to be held for charging still deter many customers from buying an electric car. Similarly, the demands for more environmentally friendly mobility in the industrial sector also present companies with challenges. For example, for electric mobility to become an economically viable alternative for logistics companies, solutions are needed that not only ensure fast, reliable charging and long ranges, but can also be integrated into the depot in a space-saving way. Fortunately, the development of charging systems for electric vehicles is progressing rapidly. The range now includes not only manually operated charging systems, but also autonomous solutions.

Read on to find out which charging systems offer the most potential for which types of vehicles and how an underbody charging solution enables efficient and space-saving charging of passenger cars and e-trucks.

Mobility
August 1, 2024

How grounding systems protect railroad engine and gearbox bearings

Many transport companies can tell you a thing or two about it: Suddenly, metros or trains are at a standstill due to damaged engine or transmission bearings. Such breakdowns are not only annoying, but above all expensive. The cause are often vagrant shaft voltages that discharge in the bearings and cause lasting damage. Shaft grounding systems made of infiltrated carbon fibers can provide a remedy, reliably dissipating voltages and protecting against bearing damage.

Mobility
The ISS floating in space, with our beautiful Earth in the background
April 4, 2024

Reaching a new dimension: space industry relies on 3D printing

Additive manufacturing is increasingly revolutionizing complex industries - including the aerospace industry. Schunk Ingenieurkeramik from Willich is a pioneer in this field. By developing sophisticated ceramic components using 3D printing processes, the company is opening up new dimensions in terms of product design and efficiency.

Aerospace
 Train equipped with Schunk pantographs
February 9, 2024

Efficient de-icing of overhead lines - without glycerine | customer testimonial

For transport companies, winter not only brings frosty temperatures, but also a problem that causes costs and effort: icy overhead lines. A challenge that Dessauer Verkehrs GmbH also had to contend with. Holger Steuer, Head of Maintenance, explains how the company got to grips with the problem in a straightforward manner. The result: reliable tramway operation despite ice and snow.

Mobility
February 1, 2024

Double Kununu award 2024 for Schunk

Schunk has been recognized as a Top Company by Kununu for the second time in a row. The reason for this is the positive feedback from our employees on the well-known employer review platform. According to Kununu, only around 5 percent of all employer profiles qualify for the Top Company seal, making Schunk one of the most popular employers in Germany. That makes us very happy!

Career
December 15, 2023

How to buy the right laser machine

Buying a laser machine for micro material processing (also known as a USP laser machine) is often a major investment for companies that want to improve their production processes and expand their manufacturing capacities. Often, these machines are high-tech machines that perform component-adapted manufacturing processes and have a variety of functions. It is therefore crucial that the purchasing process is carefully planned and executed. You can find out how to do this here.

Optical Industry
October 13, 2023

How a grounding contact saves costs in train refurbishment | Customer testimonial

When the 2:45 p.m. ferry arrived on the Isle of Wight on November 19, 2020, a very special passenger disembarked: the first of a total of five trains for the completely refurbished fleet of the modernized Island Line. The trains thus continue the Island Line‘s long-standing tradition of using refurbished and rebuilt London Underground equipment. Adrian Handley, Sales and Marketing Director of Sabre Rail, the UK's leading independent specialist in the overhaul of rail systems and components, shares the challenges the vehicle manufacturer faced in order to be able to operate the trains on the island and the solution that was developed together with Schunk.   (Image below: The first Island Line Class 484 train arrives at Wightlinks Fishbourne ferry terminal. © James123pilbeam, license.)

Mobility
September 12, 2023

Dual Bachelor Studies with Schunk

A dual study program is an attractive career path that allows you to combine theoretical knowledge at university with practical experience in a company. This means that you can acquire both academic knowledge and develop professional skills during your studies. If you are interested in a dual bachelor's degree program with Schunk as a partner company, you probably have a lot of questions about it. You'll find answers to 10 of the most common ones in this blog post.

Career
August 1, 2023

Reliable lightning protection for wind turbines

Lightning strikes to wind turbines are not uncommon. According to the industry portal Windbranche, each wind turbine is struck by lightning 0.6 to once a year on average - usually on a rotor blade. The risk is even higher for multi-megawatt turbines. Studies show that these are exposed to direct lightning strikes at least ten times a year. No wonder, due to their exposed location on hills or off coasts, wind turbines attract lightning particularly strongly. Strikes can have serious consequences - from repair-related failures to the destruction of the entire plant.

Energy
Die Gewerblichen Auszubildenden der Schunk Group zeigen den kaufmännischen Auszubildenden was sie in ihrer Lehre machen und genauso umgekehrt
May 8, 2023

This is how the recruitment test at Schunk works

Anyone applying for an apprenticeship or a dual bachelor's degree program at Schunk will - in the best case - go through a three-stage application process. This consists of

  1. a written online application
  2. a digital recruitment test
  3. an interview

We know from experience that many students are afraid of the recruitment test. In order to take away that queasy feeling, we have compiled some information for you here on the proper preparation and procedure of the recruitment test:

Career
Diatom made of technical ceramics produced in 3D printing process by Schunk Technical Ceramics
March 14, 2023

Saving 500 tons of carbon dioxide with 3D printing of ceramics

When you need structural components made of ceramics that are as large as a human being, it can become a challenge. A challenge that was also faced by the Zeiss company. That's because the conventional manufacturing process, in which silicon carbide powder is pressed into a block and then milled, presented a major technical hurdle here. "A new idea was needed," says Stefan Unger, who is responsible for supply chain sustainability at Zeiss.

3D Printing
January 26, 2023

4 technical solutions to make e-mobility more attractive

E-mobility continues to gain ground: according to a study by the IEA (International Energy Agency), there were around 16.5 million e-cars on the roads worldwide in 2021 - three times as many as in 2018. Forecasts predict that the share will rise to 116 million electric cars by 2030.  However, no matter how successful electric mobility is, manufacturers still face challenges in addressing concerns potential buyers may have about purchasing an electric car.

Mobility
November 24, 2022

"Entirely new possibilities"

Since Pulsar Photonics has become part of the Schunk Group, the laser micromachining specialist has been able to fully develop its potential - also thanks to joint projects with other Schunk companies. "Schunk's financial strength and the technology company's existing networks around the world open up completely new opportunities for us to further develop our cutting-edge technologies and market them globally," Dr. Jens Holtkamp, one of the three founding managing directors, said happily last June. At that time, the Schunk Group acquired a majority stake in Pulsar Photonics, the Aachen-based full-service provider for laser micromachining with short-pulse and ultrashort-pulse lasers.

Optical Industry
Company
October 19, 2022

Reliable conductivity measurement of liquids

Materials expert Stefan Günther explains why manufacturers of conductivity measurement technology who use measuring electrodes made of graphite can rely on permanently accurate measurement results. Schunk has been manufacturing conductivity measuring electrodes made of graphite for over 20 years. They are used worldwide for quality monitoring in analysis and measurement technology in laboratories and industrial processes. Special applications in dialysis are also possible. Very good chemical and thermal resistance, good thermal as well as electrical conductivity and high purity make graphite the material of choice for many users here.

Life Science
September 20, 2022

Digital condition monitoring of pantographs and overhead lines

Achieving the European climate protection targets in the transport sector requires a strong European railway. The EU is therefore planning to double passenger traffic and significantly expand rail freight transport by 2030. In addition to alternative drive concepts and the expansion of rail infrastructure, digitization of the rail system for more efficient use of resources is one of the prerequisites for meeting the political framework conditions.

Mobility
  Electric buses with Schunk Smart Charging roof-mounted pantographs charge in the depot
September 12, 2022

Electric buses in Krakow: why the city is using a smart charging solution

Krakow is focusing on sustainability and investing in electromobility in public transport. The first electric buses have been operating in the city since 2014. In 2021, 50 more vehicles were added that transport passengers in the Krakow area. The highest exceedances of air pollution limits were recorded in this region (see: https://cleantechnica.com). However, the expansion of the e-bus fleet presented the city with a challenge: how can around 80 electric buses be charged efficiently?

Mobility

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