Strong growth forecast for distributed motion control systems

Strong growth forecast for distributed motion control systems

Strong growth forecast for distributed motion control systems

Keywords Europe, Motion control

Intex Management Services' (IMS) new report on the European market for motion controls forecasts a strong trend towards the increased use of distributed motion control systems.

Traditionally, motion control systems have been based around a single host controller, such as a PLC or a CNC, which receives information from, and provides instructions to, various distributed field devices and simple servo or stepper axes. In some applications, and particularly when there are large distances between the host and field devices, it is more practical to distribute the intelligence. For these decentralised network solutions manufacturers are increasingly integrating more functionality into the drive units, enabling the host controller to be downsized, and in some cases removed entirely.

However, in compact multi-axis systems which have a requirement for a lot of I/O processing and fast data transmission a centralised system is often a more appropriate solution. For these applications manufacturers are offering a second solution by completely removing all intelligence from the drives to leave "dumb" power stages which are controlled by a central host controller.

The IMS report concludes that the centralised approach will remain the preferred choice in machine tool type applications; however, for general automation applications the distributed intelligence approach will gain market share. For example, IMS estimates that servo drives with integrated position control capability accounted for approximately 25 per cent of the AC servo drive market in 1997, and that this will rise to almost one-third by the year 2001.

IMS estimates that the total European market for motion controls, comprising servo drive systems, stepper drive systems and position controllers, was worth $1,553.4 million in 1997 and forecasts that it will expand at a CAGR of 10.3 per cent, to reach a value of $2,303.1 million by the year 2001. Servo drive systems (motors and drives) is the largest contributor to this market size, accounting for around three-quarters of the total market.

For further information contact: Jason Armstrong, Intex Management Services, 6, Dencora Business Park, Booth Drive, Wellingborough, Northants NN8 6GR, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1933 402255; Fax: +44 (0) 1933 402266; e-mail: IMS. Europe@virgin.net