The global linear motion systems industry will increase to $7.94 billion U.S. by 2021, according to London-based market research company Technavio. In their recent in-depth report, "Global Linear Motion Systems Market 2017-2021," the linear motion system market will have a compound annual growth rate of 5% and 7%, respectively, for the forecast period of 2017-2021. Linear motion systems that were analyzed in the report consist of linear rails, rail tables, guides, actuators, and sliders, which help the transfer of products onto conveyor belts or push it across for packaging. The demand comes from the need for accurate and repeatable motion control systems. The report categorizes three major segments for growth in the linear motion systems market: material handling, machine tools, and robotics.
For material handling, the industrial applications seeing the highest demands include packaging, pick and place, sorting, palletizing, and transportation of finished products. “Material needs to be worked on the shop floor in processing stations like milling, grinding, drilling, and then transported to the next station.” according to Bharath Kanniappan, a lead robotics research analyst from Technavio. Motion systems provide easy movement to ensure the processes are fast and efficient. Kanniappan goes on to say that “the deployment of linear motion systems helps industries to achieve benefits like high productivity, high precision, reduction in wear and tear and maintenance requirements, and fewer requirements for mechanical transmission elements.”
The forecast of linear motion systems from 2017 to 2021 breaks down into three categories: material handling, machine tools, and robotics. (Image courtesy of Technavio)
Machine tools require motion systems for the movability they provide. Systems like linear guiderails and guideways provided precise movement for machine tools and cutting tools. The coefficient of friction on linear guideways is 1/50th compared to a traditional slide guide, providing faster movement and increased production. Lastly, robotic systems are increasing areas of industrial automation. Robots, especially collaborative robotic systems, are being integrated more into the industrial work space alongside human workers. Linear motion systems provide ease of relocation and movement of robotic units so that the mechanical process can be performed in more than one area.
The report from Technavio, goes on to list the top vendors in the linear motion system market.
· Bosch Rexroth
· Rollon
· Schneeberger
· SKF
· Thomson
The report also goes on to break down the areas of growth across the world. The top three areas of growth will be the Americas, Asia Pacific (APAC), and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The APAC area has the largest area of rapid industrial growth, especially in countries like China, India, South Korea, Indonesia, and Taiwan. APAC held the major market share in 2016 for linear systems.
For a copy of the report, click here.
