Live and let live

Authors: Richard Backhaus

Publish Date: 2014/01/01

Volume: 75, Issue: 2, Pages: 3-3

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Abstract

I have just returned full of new impressions from the conference on “Friction Minimisation in the Powertrain” which our conference division ATZlive organised in Esslingen Rather than discussing the contents of the conference here — a detailed report will appear in the next issue of MTZ — I would like instead to express the mood of the event I was pleased to see that it brought together a community which is extremely interested in an exchange of information and ideas This was apparent both in the lectures and in the lively conversations among the participants during the breaks This exchange of ideas was certainly promoted by the wide variety of experts taking part ranging from representatives from the lubricant industry and specialists in honing and coatings to developers of components and engines The challenges facing all the different factions involved in developing and implementing measures to reduce friction obviously have such a unifying effect that some participants were even discussing the first new ideas for joint projects while they were still at the conference It comes as no surprise therefore that there was a unanimous desire for interdisciplinary development and the early integration of all departments into the engine development processBut we all know that reality can be quite different when it comes to the relationship between customers and suppliers Often it is less a question of common interests and partnership than sheer cost pressure Of course there may sometimes be justification for pushing through price cuts at suppliers But if this means that the same suppliers forfeit their innovative power and are no longer able to provide support for developments that may be urgently required for meeting CO2 targets this strategy will backfire for the customers I believe that the challenges of the future can be resolved only by joint effort and cooperation based on partnership The field of friction reduction in particular shows that each group provides individual components which only when assembled and considered as a complete system will achieve the CO2 reduction potential that is hoped for I am therefore pleading for a “live and let live” approach I am certain that we can still achieve a lot in this way

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