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In early 2026, the core metrology centre at the headquarters of the 143-year-old Schaeffler Group in Herzogenaurach, Germany, welcomed measurement instrument from WALE in China.
This was once the site of a German industrial benchmark featured in textbooks, and a domain long dominated by premium brands in the field of length measurement. Today, however, WALE has not only passed the rigorous end-to-end verification typical of German standards thanks to the outstanding performance of its products, but has also earned the full recognition of Schaeffler—from technical experts to senior management—through its mature automation solutions and AI-driven efficiency advantages.
The two sides held a number of in-depth discussions on topics including waviness analysis in the bearing industry, the application of wavelet technology, the use of AI in measurement, and the inspection of core components for humanoid robots.
What began as a trip to Germany for product validation ultimately evolved into a leap from precision measurement to strategic collaboration.
Members of the Schaeffler Group’s senior quality management team and metrology experts
Rigorous verification to German standards: witnessing Chinese precision through a professional perspective
Schaeffler, a global leader in the bearing industry, has long sourced its surface measurement products from premium brands within the sector. When it came to WALE from China, Schaeffler’s German headquarters, adhering to its customary rigorous approach, subjected the company to a stringent validation process.
WALE then proved its worth through its capabilities. In 2024, thanks to its technological breakthroughs and product advantages, WALE gained entry into the Schaeffler China system for the first time. To further validate its capabilities, WALE sent its roundness and waviness measuring instrument (WRTA) FFT-CYA-6000vf (WRTA stands for Real-Time Analysis of Waviness) and its contour measuring instrument CXR-bgn to the headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany, for rigorous benchmark testing.
China's first roundness and waviness measuring instrument（WRTA）
Chinese-made contour measuring instrument go head-to-head with European and American brands
The results were astonishing: WALE’s measuring instrument proved to be on a par with the high-end ranges of leading global brands in terms of accuracy and stability, and even superior in certain respects. Following repeated verification by German technical experts, they offered high praise, stating that high-end measuring instruments manufactured in China have now reached world-class standards.
Benchmark Project Team Members
Technological resonance: the Convergence of Automation and AI
Instrument validation was merely the beginning. During their visit to Germany, the WALE team provided Schaeffler with a comprehensive overview of its proven automation solutions for the bearing industry, as well as its innovative practices in leveraging AI to enhance R&D and manufacturing efficiency. WALE emphasised that its cost advantage is not achieved at the expense of hardware specifications, but rather through independent innovation in core processing instrument and the pioneering integration of AI technology throughout the entire R&D process—from code generation to simulation design and product testing—thereby doubling efficiency and creating products with a higher cost-performance ratio for customers.
This presentation sparked keen interest among Schaeffler’s technical experts. The two parties immediately engaged in in-depth technical discussions: from runout analysis in the bearing industry, wavelet analysis technology and the application prospects of AI, to the inspection of core components for humanoid robots… Every exchange represented a collision and fusion of technical concepts. Schaeffler’s experts were surprised to discover that WALE not only holds its own in measurement and manufacturing, but is also at the forefront of the industry in automation integration, intelligent applications and cutting-edge measurement technology.
Discussions on noise applications of WRTA, HHT and AI
From product collaboration to strategic cooperation: WALE and Schaeffler enter into a close partnership
Upon his return from Germany, the partnership between WALE and Schaeffler swiftly entered a new phase. Both parties agreed to accelerate their strategic collaboration, with WALE advancing from a single instrument supplier to a global strategic partner of Schaeffler. This means that WALE’s high-precision measuring instrument and solutions will be integrated more deeply into the global manufacturing system of this German industrial giant.
Fan Houjie, General Manager of WALE, reflected with deep emotion: “It has taken two years to make the journey from China to Herzogenaurach in Germany. In 2026, WALE’s measuring instruments will be steadily integrated into the core metrology centre at the Schaeffler Group’s headquarters. This German industrial giant, with a history spanning 143 years, was once a benchmark in the textbooks. Having undergone rigorous German-style end-to-end validation, WALE has demonstrated to the global industry through its solid performance that China’s independently developed high-precision measurement technology can not only precisely meet the demands of top-tier manufacturing, but also, thanks to its outstanding value for money, become a trusted long-term partner for customers.”
He wrote on his social media: “For over twenty years, we have focused on just one thing: perfecting the measurement of form and position tolerances. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our customers for providing the fertile ground in which we have taken root and grown; and a special thank you to Schaeffler for recognising the essence of technology through a purely professional perspective…”
China's first needle roller straightness and parallelism measuring instrument has been delivered to the Rodisa factory in Spain
A historic leap forward: a milestone in China’s metrology industry going global
The story of WALE and Schaeffler is not merely a partnership between two companies; it is a symbol of the rise of China’s high-end instrument manufacturing sector. It sends a clear message to the metrology industry:
Firstly, technology knows no borders. Chinese brands are fully capable of competing with international giants in cutting-edge fields and earning respect through their cutting-edge performance. WALE’s success has shattered the stereotype that ‘domestic products are inferior to imported ones’, setting a benchmark for other Chinese metrology companies.
Secondly, innovation drives value. WALE does not compete on price alone, but rather achieves dual optimisation of efficiency and costs through independent innovation, in-house development of core processing instrument, and AI-enabled R&D and manufacturing. This model offers the industry a new approach to transformation and upgrading.
Thirdly, collaboration for a shared future. As Mr Fan remarked: ‘Breakthroughs in high-end domestic instrument have never been achieved through solitary efforts. They require an open market, rational comparison and global collaboration.’ Schaeffler evaluates technology with a professional and objective eye, giving Chinese brands a fair chance to compete; this spirit of openness is worthy of respect.
Recently, during a visit to Chinese enterprises, German Chancellor Merz also expressed his amazement at the pace of development of ‘Made in China’. The story of WALE serves as a vivid and compelling illustration of this very point: ‘Made in China’ has moved from playing catch-up to keeping pace, and has even taken the lead in certain sectors.
From the macro to the micro, every leap in precision—measured in micrometres—in geometric measurement contributes to the grand narrative of ‘Made in China’ taking the world by storm. WALE is advancing resolutely along this path with steady strides.
The future looks bright, and we look forward to working alongside the industry!
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Email:ethan@walechina.com
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