In recent years, with the arrival of the trend of international manufacturing automation development, the domestic industrial manufacturing industry is undergoing rapid transformation, with high demand for automation software and hardware equipment. In this process, the inevitable market demand for industrial robots is rising strongly. In 2015, China became the world's largest demand market.
At present, the application field of industrial robots is constantly expanding, with a wider variety and stronger functions, and the level of automation and intelligence is significantly improved. According to the International Federation of Robotics, the demand from the automotive vehicle and component industry accounts for approximately 60% of the total downstream demand for industrial robots. In Asia, the demand for industrial robots in the electronic and electrical industry is second only to the automotive industry.
1. Market demand shows a rapid growth trend
According to the research report "China Industrial Robot Market 2013" by IHS Inc., the Chinese industrial robot body market reached $800 million in 2012 and will reach a scale of $1.3 billion in 2017 with a compound annual growth rate of 10%.
After experiencing a decline in 2009, the Chinese industrial robot market has maintained strong growth in recent years. In 2010, the sales volume of the Chinese robot market was 14900 units, reaching 22000 units in 2011. In 2012, the sales volume of industrial robots in China reached 29000 units. In 2015, it reached 35000 units, becoming the largest market, and IHS predicts that the sales of industrial robots in China will be 52000 units in 2017.
The development of industrial robots is an important indicator of a country's manufacturing and technological level; An important tool and means to reshape the competitive advantage of China's manufacturing industry; A pragmatic choice to accelerate China's industrial transformation and upgrading.
At present, domestic enterprises generally face a problem: difficult recruitment. This also indicates that the demographic dividend that has lasted for decades is gradually disappearing, while domestic enterprises are forced to transform relying on traditional labor-intensive production methods, and industrial robots will "continue" the demographic dividend when they enter the factory. Under the impetus of such intelligent trends, traditional enterprises are urgently undergoing transformation and upgrading.
How to achieve a magnificent transformation from unidirectional manufacturing to "intelligent manufacturing" has become a challenge for traditional manufacturing. However, with the emergence of industrial robots, traditional industry has seen a dawn amidst layers of dark clouds. What is an intelligent factory built with industrial robots? Answer: A factory with perception, thinking, and execution capabilities. In other words, intelligent factories can achieve unmanned operations, requiring only operators to input production instructions at the host terminal. The intelligent factory operates automatically, and this optimally configured factory will maximize the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries.
2. Challenges and Opportunities for Industrial Robots in China
Affected by factors such as rapid technological development, continuous scarcity of labor resources, and further improvement in production efficiency requirements, global industrial robots will usher in broader development space and higher development speed. In terms of regional distribution, with the development of manufacturing in the Asian region, the demand for industrial robots in various industries has increased, gradually shifting the demand for industrial robots from the European and American regions to the Asian region. Against this backdrop, there are both opportunities and difficulties for China's industrial robot industry.
In recent years, under the rapid expansion of demand and the influence of national independent innovation policies, a large number of domestic enterprises have entered the ranks of industrial robot development and production through independent research or cooperation with research institutes. China's industrial robots have entered the initial stage of industrialization. Some products have started industrial production and application, but due to their inferior accuracy, speed, and other aspects compared to similar imported products, the degree of industrial application of these products is relatively low, lacking brand awareness, and having a small market share.
I have mastered some advanced technologies, but the overall technical level is still relatively low. At present, China has basically mastered the design and manufacturing technology of robot manipulators, the design technology of control system hardware and software, kinematics and trajectory planning technology, produced some key components of robots, and developed robots for painting, arc welding, electric welding, assembly, transportation, etc. The technical level of some products has reached international advanced levels, but there is still a significant gap in overall technology, which is only equivalent to the level of foreign countries in the mid-1990s.
Key core technologies such as robot body optimization design technology, new generation intelligent robot controllers, key robot component unit manufacturing technology, robot offline programming and simulation technology, robot motion control based on external sensing technology, industrial robot fault remote diagnosis and repair technology, and industrial robot and complete equipment coordination operation technology will be breakthroughs, To provide technical support for the large-scale production of industrial robots. In addition to improving the performance of robots, it is also necessary to vigorously strengthen the development of large-scale and professional application engineering software. Cultivate several industrial robot industry clusters with complete industrial chains and complete industrial supporting facilities with international influence nationwide.
Industrial development prospects
The current production model led by humans will become a manufacturing model led by robots in the future. Although this will reduce some traditional employment opportunities, the new intelligent manufacturing model will also generate many new jobs. Industrial robots are a powerful technological means to achieve the transformation and upgrading of China's manufacturing industry.
1. What is the level of domestic industrial robot manufacturing compared to foreign countries?
In terms of technology, such as control accuracy and functionality, we are not lagging behind. But there is still a gap compared to foreign countries in terms of manufacturing process, products, and brands. The key to the gap is the core components, such as servo motors, high-precision gears, reducers, bearings, etc., which are now generally imported.
Of course, in recent years, China has made great progress in the foundation of casting, processing and other processes, and the difference is not too far. Luo Baihui, Secretary General of the International Mold and Hardware Plastic Industry Supplier Association, believes that in order for robots to form industries and create brands, modern company management capabilities are also needed. Robots are products with high demands for capital, technology, and talent, and require continuous innovation.
2. What direction will industrial robot technology develop in the future?
The future will develop towards intelligent robots. The production of robots, with robot mechanisms as carriers, depends more on their functional connotations. The level of robotics depends on technologies such as control, software, and intelligence. Robots without intelligence are just low-end robots.
The future development of robots requires information and networking support, relying on the development of control technology and sensing technology. The future industrial robots will be typical IoT products. The development of technologies such as control, microelectronics, sensing, and new materials will provide basic conditions for intelligent robots. After the development of these robot related support technologies, robot experts will further study how to integrate innovation and develop robots into intelligent robots.
3. What are the development prospects of the industrial robot industry?
The robotics industry is not an ordinary industry, with development prospects beyond imagination. The Industrial Revolution turned humans into slaves to machines. People serve machines on the production line, with a fast pace of work and a harsh environment. But industrial robots can liberate humans from this state and enable them to engage in higher-level work. In addition, Luo Baihui believes that service robots can also change our way of life.
The current production model led by humans will become a manufacturing model led by robots in the future. Although this will reduce some traditional employment opportunities, the new intelligent manufacturing model will also generate many new jobs. China is currently experiencing a structural shortage of labor, with a shortage of migrant workers and senior skilled workers, and a sharp increase in manufacturing costs.
Industrial robots are a powerful technological means to achieve the transformation and upgrading of China's manufacturing industry. Robots can change people's future production and lifestyle. It can be concluded that in the future, robots will enter thousands of households and various fields of society like mobile phones and computers.
(This article is reprinted from the internet)