NEWS
SKF delivers transmission seals to Geely Automobile
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KF has started to deliver bonded piston seals to China’s Geely Automobile. The business agreement, worth over SEK100 million, continues for around five years and calls for SKF to deliver seals to equip Geely’s automatic transmission (6AT) for its GC6 and Emgrande EC8 car models, and the Gleagle GX7, its first sports utility vehicle (SUV). Tryggve Sthen, President, SKF Automotive, commented: ‘Our development work with Geely for more efficient transmissions has given us the possibility to prove our skills and expertise. Our seals meet the very tough demands Geely requires. Our local Chinese manufacturing and engineering footprint enables us to be close to Geely and respond quickly to its needs.’ ‘Geely recently recognised SKF with its “Excellent Supplier Award”. We are truly happy about this and it inspires us in our continued work to deliver the right value.’
Shaoquan Zhao, Purchasing Director, Geely Automotive, added: ‘The bonded piston seal from SKF now enables our transmissions to be even more robust, with higher performance. Our agreement is beneficial to us and we are pleased to be working with SKF as an engineering partner. Geely is moving to the premium segment of the car market, so it is important to cooperate with high-quality brands like SKF.’ The bonded piston seal is designed to offer robustness against damage during assembly or operation, enabling a prolonged life. It also has the potential to reduce the weight of applications using a steel piston. The seals are manufactured by SKF Sealing Solutions, based in Wuhu, China. Contacts: SKF, SE-415 50 Göteborg, Sweden. Tel: +46 31 337 1000, Fax: +46 31 337 2832, Email:
[email protected], Web: www.skf.com SKF Sealing Solutions (Wuhu) Co Ltd, No. 2 Yu’An Road, Fuda Industry Park, Etdz Wuhu, Anhui 241009 China. Tel: +86 55 3584 1298 SKF (China) Co Ltd, No. 377 Bansongyuan Road, Shanghai, China. Tel: +86 21 5306 8866
LMK files amended complaint against BLD Services
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SKF’s bonded piston seal.
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Sealing Technology
n the USA, LMK Technologies Llc has filed an amended complaint for patent infringement against BLD Services Llc in a case currently pending in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The original complaint alleged infringement of US patent 7,975,726. The amended complaint adds two additional claims for patent infringement relating to US patents 8,667,991 and 8,667,992. The technology in the three asserted patents relates to pipeline rehabilitation and the use of hydrophilic materials to seal the junction between main and lateral sewer pipes. LMK’s amended complaint seeks an injunction to preclude further alleged infringing activity, as well as damages, attorney fees and costs. Mike Reardon, CEO, LMK Technologies, said: ‘LMK takes this infringement case seriously, as evidenced by the filing of the amended complaint. We remain committed to our customers and installation contractors to protect LMK’s intellectual property and to provide the most effective technology and products in the market.’
LMK Technologies, which specialises in what are described as trenchless methods to renew lateral sewer infrastructure, has more than 100 US and foreign patents relating to pipeline rehabilitation technologies. Based in Ottawa, Illinois, since 1993, the company serves the municipal and residential markets through a network of licensed contractors. Contact: LMK Technologies Llc, 1779 Chessie Lane, Ottawa, IL 61350, USA. Tel: +1 815 433 1275, Fax: +1 815 433 0107, Email:
[email protected], Web: www.lmktechnologies.com
Hardide secures major supply agreement with GE
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ardide Coatings, a UK-based provider of advanced surface coating technology, has entered into a strategic supply agreement with General Electric Co (GE). In a deal worth $1.3 million, over a two-year period that ends in February 2016, the company will apply its coating technology to a component that is currently used by GE. There is also the potential to extend the agreement to five years. Development and testing work is also welladvanced on additional components which, if successful, will be added to the agreement. This would result in further minimum annual volumes and significant increased value to the partnership. Commenting on this agreement, Philip Kirkham, CEO, Hardide, said: ‘This is an exciting development that firmly embeds the Hardide coating technology in one of the world’s most respected advanced engineering companies. An excellent working relationship has been built up with GE over the last 18 months and we continue to work closely together on other projects, including opportunities for the Hardide technology in various other divisions of GE which we hope to capitalise on.’ Hardide Coatings develops, manufactures and applies nanotechnology tungsten carbidebased coatings to a wide range of engineering components. The firm’s patented technology is unique in combining a mix of abrasion-, erosion- and corrosion-resistant properties in one coating. According to the company, when it is applied to metal components used in aggressive environments, the technology is proven to offer dramatic improvements in component life resulting in cost-savings through reduced downtime and increased operational efficiency. Customers include leading companies operating in oil and gas exploration and produc-
June 2014