Research shows dramatic differences in the global markets for linear motor systems
IMS Research has investigated the global market for direct linear drives and reports that some regions prefer pre-configured systems while others buy components.
Within industrial automation there is a distinct trend towards companies purchasing complete systems rather than components to be assembled in-house. One factor contributing to the acceleration of this trend has been cutbacks in engineering over recent years; this has had a significant impact on the direct drives market.
In fact a recent IMS Research study investigating the worldwide direct drives market highlighted that the global market for linear motor (LM) systemswhich was forecast to be US$354.1million in 2005was almost double that of the LM components market. Growth rates also indicated that there will be a continued shift to pre-assembled systems with linear motor systems growing at a CAGR of 11.0percent compared with 8.5percent for linear motor components. Howeverthese results also presented a stark contrast between the different regions.
The most notable disparity is between EMEA and Asia Pacific regionsthe largest two markets for linear motors. While EMEA is the dominant region for LM componentswith US$104.3million in revenues and accounting for half of all global salesthe EMEA makes up less than one-fifth of the total systems market. The largest region for this market was Asia Pacificwith sales of US$192.8million in 2005.
One answer to the differences in market structures can be found in the prevalent industry sectors within each region.
The EMEA is the largest market for machine toolswhile the flat panel display and semiconductor machinery markets dominate the linear motor market in Asia Pacific.
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