Technology gap gives foreign firms the edge in China robot wars
BY GERRY SHIH for Reuters: In a cavernous showroom on the outskirts of this port city in northeastern China, softly whirring lathes and svelte robot arms represent Dalian Machine Tools Group's (DMTG) vision of an automated future for Chinese manufacturing.
On closer inspection, however, most of the machines' control panels bear the logos of Japan's FANUC Corp or the German conglomerate Siemens.
The imported control systems in DMTG's products – used in the assembly of everything from smartphones to cement trucks – are symbolic of the technology gap between Chinese and foreign industrial automation firms, just one of several challenges facing China's ambition to nurture a national robotics industry.
Chinese robotics firms are also grappling with a weakening economy and slumping automotive sector, and industry insiders already predict a market bubble just three years after the central government issued policies to spur robotics development.
"Last year everybody thought they could produce a robot," said Alan Lee, director of Asia sales and business development at Boston-based Rethink Robotics. "When you have market saturation you'll have filtering and M&A. These guys will be the first layer to suffer."
It is a storyline familiar from other new industries such as solar panels: Beijing's policies and subsides trigger a wave of low-margin, low-cost contenders to rush into the market, where, with no meaningful technology of their own, they struggle to compete on price alone. Cont'd...
New High Precision Gear Reducers from GAM Gear
Designed to maintain the high quality associated with GAM products, the Economy Series was engineered to provide a high-quality, low-cost gearing solution for less demanding servo applications. The EPL series consists of a variety of configurations to meet the requirements of many applications.
Novotechnik - Ultra-Compact Hollow Shaft Angle Sensors
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OMRON to Acquire U.S. Based Adept Technology
OMRON plans to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Adept common stock through an all cash tender offer followed by a second-step merger. OMRON will offer Adept investors $13.00 per share of Adept common stock, which represents a 63% premium over the closing price for Adept's common stock on September 15, 2015. This values Adept at approximately $200 million. OMRON will fund the tender offer through cash on hand.
Commenting on the acquisition, Yutaka Miyanaga, OMRON Industrial Automation Business Company President, said, "We are delighted Adept Technology, a world leader in robotics, has agreed to join OMRON. This acquisition is part of our strategy to enhance our automation technology and position us for long term growth. Robotics will elevate our offering of advanced automation."
Rob Cain, President and Chief Executive Officer of Adept, added, "We are excited about the opportunity to join OMRON, a global leader in automation. Together, our products will offer new innovative solutions to customers all around the globe."
Full Press Release:
New Open Frame VPX Development Chassis From Pixus Technologies Is Versatile and Cost-Effective
Pixus Technologies, a supplier of backplane, chassis, and embedded component solutions, has released an open frame chassis platform for OpenVPX backplanes.
VPX Ejector Handles and Panels From Pixus Offer Quality European Designs for up to 30% Less
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Lenze Brings Robot Programming Module to Gantry Pick-and-Place Applications
Software engineering made easy with FAST application software module for robot kinematics
and multi-axis coordination
Mooreland Partners Advises Adept Technology on Sale to OMRON
Japan-based Industrial Automation Leader Adds Advanced Robotics Capability with Acquisition
Allied Motion Releases New Housed Brushless Torque Motor
Advanced CM-2600 Series Torque Motor Offers Choice of Integrated Encoder
Saft makes breakthrough into China's fast growing industrial robotics sector with lithium battery order for STEP Electric Corporation
· STEP Electric Corporation in China is installing Saft primary lithium batteries to provide memory backup for its industrial robots
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Schunk - PGN+ Permanent Sets New Gripping Standards
The SCHUNK PGN-plus Permanent has been seamlessly integrated into the PGN-plus family.
Pack Expo - The Pro Mach End of Line Group Showcases at Pack Expo 2015 an Integrated End of Line Packaging System
Integrated Case Packing, Robotic Palletizing, Stretch Wrapping, and De-Palletizing Line Requires 40 Percent Less Floor Space than Comparable Configurations (Booth C-3121)
Okuma's New Intelligent Technology ServoNavi® Shortens Cycle Times and Achieves Higher CNC Machining Accuracies
High precision technology is ideal for maintaining long term accuracy, surface quality and cutting precise, heavy parts.
Pack Expo - Universal Robots Raises the Bar on Collaborative Robotics at Pack Expo
The Danish robot manufacturer, that pioneered the safety systems of collaborative robots, showcases product features that help lower the automation barrier, making a robot truly collaborative. The features on display at Pack Expo 2015 in Las Vegas are portability, ease of use, and integration.
Advanced Manufacturing Event Returns to Houston
UBM Canon brings PBS Texas, TexasPack, and other trade shows to NRG Center, October 13-14
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Factory Automation - Featured Product
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