"SMM is an international venue for us to get together with our customers from the USA, Asia and Europe. As a globally operating piston maker it is essential for us to be present. In particular we are expecting new market momentum following the crisis," explains Wolfgang Hartmann, responsible for Large-Bore Pistons at KS Kolbenschmidt. Among the products on view are aluminium pistons up to 520 mm in diameter, assembled pistons up to 640 mm, nodular cast iron monobloc pistons up to 350 mm, and steel pistons measuring up to 320 mm in diameter.
These largediameter pistons made by the piston specialist at Neckarsulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, are to be found as main and auxiliary engines on such notable cruise liners as the Queen Mary II, on container and freight vessels. They are also installed on engines for power generation plants. At present, KS Kolbenschmidt is working on efficient pistons complying with the IMO II emissions standard and further codes and standards adopted in many other countries. This International Maritime Organization standard prescribes a further reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions.
KS Kolbenschmidt GmbH belongs to the Kolbenschmidt Pierburg Group, an international autoindustry supplier with over 30 locations in Europe, North and South America, Japan, and China. Sales in fiscal 2009 added up to around €1.5 billion. Worldwide more than 10,000 employees develop and produce components, modules and firsttier systems for gasoline and diesel engines.
The SMM is held every other year and ranks as a lead fair for the maritime industry. Expected are around 50,000 trade visitors, onethird of these from outside Germany. Exhibitors number almost 2,000. Highlights of this year's event are ecofriendly products and technologies for the shipbuilding sector.