Taiwan makers to introduce linear motor-based machine tools

Taipei, March 28 (CENS)--Funded by a technology research project launched by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, nine domestic manufacturers of machine tools debuted new-generation high-speed linear motor-based machines at the 2005 Taipei International Machine Tool Show, which ended a six-day run at Taipei World Trade Center a week ago.

The introduction of the new-generation machine tools marks the ability of domestic machinery makers to develop the world's top-notch machine tools to compete with rival producers of such highly industrialized nations as Japan and Germany.

The nine manufacturers participated in the technology research project include Tong-Tai Machine & Tool Co., Dah Lih Machinery Industry Co., Yeong Chin Machinery Industries Co., Kao Fong Machinery Co., She Hong Industrial Co., Victor Taichung Machinery Works Co., Far East Machinery Co., Asia Pacific Elite Co., and Leadwell CNC Machines Mfg. Corp.

Yen Jui-hsiung, president of Tong-Tai, estimated the acquisition of the sophisticated technology for the production of linear motor-based machine tools would help domestic machinery industry create business opportunities of NT$6.3 billion (US$203.23 million), including NT$5 billion (US$161.29 million) for the metal-cutting machine-tool sector, NT$500 million (US$16.13 million) each for the grinding machinery and conventional machine-tool sectors, and the other NT$300 million (US$9.68 million) for the peripheral equipment suppliers.

He further stressed the automotive, molds & dies, and 3C (consumer electronics, communications, computer) industries would also help boost sales of high-speed machine tools by between NT$30 billion (US$967.7 million) and NT$50 billion (US$1.61 billion) per year.

As Taiwan currently holds less than 10% share of the global machine-tool market, Yen called for domestic manufacturers to make all-out efforts to develop such high-value-added products as the linear motor-based machine tools.

The linear motor-based machine tools can perform the machining much more efficiently than the conventional ones. According to a survey made by a professional Japanese machine-tool magazine, the linear motor-based machine tools will grow at the annual rate of between 15% and 20% in the next five years. Based on the survey result, the output of linear motor-based machine tools worldwide will account for 40% of the entire industry in 2010.