Schaeffler Increases Simulation Output with Unprecedented Speed and Efficiency


Rescale delivers Schaeffler a unified HPC solution, bringing together 20 to 30 previously separate solutions into one standardized platform where engineers can select the appropriate simulation application. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:

The Challenge

Schaeffler faced multiple issues with its previous on-premises setup:

  • High Manual Effort: Maintaining and updating simulation tools required significant manual work.
  • Limited Scalability: On-premises hardware could not handle the rising demand for simulations.
  • Long Computing Times: Slow simulations delayed product development.
  • Fragmentation: Numerous individual solutions across departments created inefficiencies.
  • Cost Constraints: Extending the lifecycle of hardware to remain cost-effective hampered flexibility.

“It takes just a few clicks to configure the system for a given simulation. This is hugely advantageous in terms of administration, user-friendliness, and operability—something our colleagues really appreciate. Through this project, we’ve gained a better understanding of their needs and can now work with them to develop more custom solutions.”
– Tobias Frömel, Product Owner, Hybrid Cloud Platforms, Schaeffler

The Solution

To overcome these challenges, Schaeffler implemented a hybrid cloud HPC system using:

  • Azure HPC Infrastructure: Offers scalable and flexible cloud resources.
  • Rescale SaaS Platform: Acts as a centralized front-end, resembling an app store for simulation applications.
  • Automation: Automatically provisions and releases the required compute and storage resources based on demand.

Key Benefits:

  • Simplified user access through a centralized web portal or virtual workstations.
  • Eliminated the need for local installation and manual updates of tools.
  • “Pay-as-you-go” cost model for efficient resource utilization.

Results

  • Improved Efficiency: Schaeffler can now run up to 12,000 simulations in days, significantly accelerating development cycles.
  • Enhanced Flexibility: Developers can seamlessly configure systems for simulations with minimal effort.
  • Cost Savings: Shorter computing times directly reduce licensing costs.
  • Security: Proprietary data is protected by Microsoft’s robust security framework.
  • Future-Readiness: The solution’s compatibility ensures smooth integration of future technologies, such as quantum computing.

“Thanks to our new HPC solution based on Azure and the SaaS solution from our partner Rescale, we can complete our simulations a good deal faster. This means we can begin the next round of calculations sooner, detect errors earlier, and develop products far more quickly. That’s a massive boost to our competitiveness and innovative strength.”
– Markus Kießling, Product Owner, Systems Engineering Solutions, Schaeffler

Competitive Advantage

The Azure-based HPC solution on Rescale allows Schaeffler to:

  • Improved Product Quality: Detect design flaws earlier.
  • Accelerated Engineering: Iterate products faster.
  • Streamlined Innovation: Maintain a strong competitive edge in motion technology innovation.
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