Franke GmbH
About us
For over 75 years, Franke has consistently convinced its customers with innovative, highly individualized storage solutions. They are all based on the same principle that Erich Franke invented in 1936. Erich Franke invented a new type of bearing in 1936 while searching for a particularly space-saving design: the Wire Race Bearing. Over the years we have consistently enhanced his principle of four race rings. Today our product program includes rotative and linear components – with and without drive. We employ a workforce of over 340 at our headquarters in Aalen. We are also represented at many locations throughout the world.
Products & services
Wire Race Bearings
The decisive difference between an ordinary ball bearing and a Franke wire race bearing is in the raceways. In a wire race bearing, the rolling elements do not roll on solid housing rings, but on high performance wires. The flexibility of this principle makes it possible to design more freely and simply, in order to develop better products. "Thanks to their special design, the innovative »Franke Wire Race Bearings« promise more room for innovation compared to conventional ball bearings." This is how the jury justified the awarding of the German Design Award in the “Excellent Product Design” category.
Aluminum Linear Systems
Franke linear systems transfer the ingenious principle of the wire race bearing to linear movements. Inserted raceways ensure the load capacity on all sides. The rest of the construction can therefore be made of lightweight aluminum. Large guided rollers ensure smooth running - maintenance-free over the entire service life. Thanks to their modular design, Franke linear systems can be individually adapted to requirements.
Torque-Motor
Franke bearing assemblies with integrated direct drive (torque motor) are characterized by high dynamics, maximum energy efficiency and a compact installation space combined with center-free design. Bearing assemblies with direct drive are suitable for applications where high performance and low space requirements are important criteria. The integration of the drive into the bearing housing means that wear-prone assemblies for transmitting drive power, such as toothed belts, shafts or chains, can be dispensed with. This reduces the required drive energy and also benefits more accurate positioning.
Bearing Assemblies
If required, we can also design and manufacture complete bearing assemblies for you. These can be mounted even more easily than bearing elements. Franke bearing assemblies are available in every size, with individual bores and toothings and in numerous materials such as aluminium, stainless steel, carbon or as a 3D printed housing.
News
Customer Story Franke GmbH: Fecken-Kirfel - Precise cutting on a grand scale
The Aachen-based family business Fecken-Kirfel has been in existence for over 150 years. Fecken-Kirfel is a world leader with its cutting machines. Lightweight Franke linear guides guide the bandknifes evenly and precisely through the material.
Innovative winding technology for the ultimate electric car
In order to achieve the required precision, the design specialist from Schaeffler turned to Franke for the perfect bearing solution.
Customer Story Franke: Making lifting easier: with handling systems from Sachs-Products
In its Manipulators Mantis and Vertis, Sachs Products uses bearing assemblies from Franke. Their smooth running, their small installation space combined with high load capacity and their low weight are decisive benefits for Sachs Products.
Customer Story Franke GmbH: Mespack - masters of flexible packaging
The Spanish packaging machine manufacturer Mespack is a specialist for flexible packaging. Mespack uses linear guides from Franke in many of its machines for flexible packaging.
Franke Drehverbindung mit Torque-Antrieb
Franke Drehverbindungen mit integriertem Torque-Motor zeichnen sich aus durch eine hohe Dynamik, maximale Energieeffizienz und einen kompakten Einbauraum mit großer Mittenfreiheit.