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55% of torque and linear motor sales go to three sectors

27 March, 2015

China is the world’s biggest market for linear and torque motors, due to the rapid growth of its high-tech industries. A new report from IHS Technology points out that China is strong in the semiconductor equipment, machine tool, and electronic assembly and flat-panel display sectors which, together, accounted for more than 55% of the global market for linear and torque motors in 2014.

The market for these motors is growing, mainly because of their increased penetration of these key industries, but also because of emerging applications in areas such as battery production, digital printing, and photovoltaic panel production.

However, these sectors are also some of the most cyclical, with periods between boom and bust cycles that change continuously. While other sectors – such as food and beverage, packaging and medical equipment – are more stable, they also rely on investment, and become cyclical after large initial investments, says IHS.

The biggest application area for torque and linear motors is in high-end machinery requiring precise motion. They are increasingly being used as gear-motor replacements, and in hydraulic systems in industrial machinery requiring increased functions and higher efficiencies.

Torque motors reduce the need for mechanical components
Photo: B&R Automation

Direct-drive torque motors reduce the need for gearboxes, couplings, linkages, and other power transmission components, thus cutting the losses that these components can cause in machinery. The motors can also operate at higher speeds and with greater precision than fluid or electromechanical drive technologies.




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