Report: World Industrial Robot Demand Up 38 Percent

BIO

EMAIL THIS

PRINT

COMMENT

Ann R. Thryft, Senior Technical Editor, Materials & Assembly
2/4/2013   10 comments

NO RATINGS

• LOGIN TO RATE

inShare1

The International Federation of Robotics reports that global sales of industrial robots increased by a whopping 38 percent in 2011 over 2010. In this blog, we'll look at some of the results of the IRF's" World Robotics: Industrial Robots 2012" report. In a later blog, we'll examine the IRF's report on service robots, "World Robotics: Service Robots 2012."

Although the largest users of industrial robots are Japan and Korea, the biggest increases in 2011 occurred elsewhere. For example, shipments to Germany grew by 39 percent, to the US by 43 percent, to China by 51 percent, to Canada by 72 percent, and to Brazil by 125 percent. Robot sales increased in the Americas overall by 53 percent, compared to Europe at 43 percent, and to Asia at 27 percent.

Like a similar study we reported on from The Freedonia Group, the IRF's report shows that the two largest users of industrial robots are the automotive manufacturing sector, followed by electrical/electronics manufacturing. These two sectors are also the ones that the IRF expects to continue driving growth in industrial robot sales during 2012.

The International Federation of Robotics reports that global sales of industrial robots increased by 38 percent in 2011 over 2010. Although Asia is the largest regional user, the biggest increases happened in the Americas.
(Source: International Federation of Robotics)

The biggest increase in a sector occurred in automotive, at 55 percent, but the second biggest was a 54 percent jump in the metals and machinery industry. Automotive can be expected from, among other things, the fact that processes as complex as the placement of composite fibers is being automated, as we reported previously. But the increase in the metals and machinery category is intriguing.

Between 2013 and 2015, the report says the electrical/electronics manufacturing sector will continue to increase its use of robots. That also makes sense, since this was one of the earliest manufacturing sectors to become automated. During this time period, although automotive manufacturing will continue to be the main sector that comes up with new robotics technology, it will experience what the IRF calls a cyclic decrease in robotics investment in 2013 and 2014. The previous decrease in this cycle happened between 2006 and 2009, during the global economic downturn.

China's increase in the use of industrial robotics is exceptional. The IRF report said China is on track to become the biggest user of robotics worldwide, and it's only a matter of when. This nation's installations of industrial robots quadrupled between 2006 and 2011, and grew every year except during 2009.

The IRF also predicts that, between 2013 and 2015, industrial robots will get lighter and more energy-efficient, and will be better able to collaborate with humans. Industrial robots will also become easier to integrate into existing manufacturing systems. It expects an annual growth rate of about 5 percent worldwide for industrial robots, which is close to Freedonia's predicted growth rate of 6 percent per year through 2016.

http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1386&doc_id=258342

Robots on the rise in North America

Posted by Rick Lingle, Technical Editor -- Packaging Digest, 2/7/2013 1:28:14 PM

The North American robotics market has recorded its strongest year ever in 2012, according to new statistics from Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry's trade group.

A total of 22,598 robots valued at $1.48 billion were sold to companies in North America in 2012, beating the previous record of 19,337 robots sold in 2011. When sales by North American robot suppliers to companies outside North America are included, the totals are 25,557 robots valued at $1.66 billion.

Compared to 2011, North American orders were up 17% in units and 27% in dollars.

"The Automotive industry has continued to be the strongest driver of the North American robotics market," says Alex Shikany, Director of Market Analysis for RIA. "Robots sold to automotive OEMs in North America jum

ped 47% over a then record-setting 2011, while robots sold to automotive component suppliers increased 21%," he noted.

Industry, applications results

Sales were also up in metalworking industries (+12%) and life sciences/pharmaceuticals (+3%). In terms of applications, increases were seen in assembly (+40%), spot welding (+37%), arc welding (+24%), coating & dispensing (+13%), and material handling (+3%).

The fourth quarter of 2012 was the strongest quarter ever recorded by RIA (the association began reporting data in 1984) in terms of units ordered, with 6,235 robots sold to North American companies. The fourth quarter w

as up nine percent in units and 21 percent in dollars over the same period in 2011.

"It is promising to see such positive growth in robotics despite the tumultuous manufacturing environment throughout 2012" says Jeff Burnstein, President of RIA. "This growth is an indication that more North American companies are looking to automate in order to reduce costs and increase productivity, and that is a good sign for robotics."

U.S. trails only Japan in robotics use

RIA estimates that some 225,000 robots are now at use in United States factories, placing the U.S. second only to Japan in robot use. 

"Many observers believe that only about 10% of the U.S. companies that could benefit from robots have installed any so far," Burnstein says, "and among those that have the most to gain from robots are small and medium sized companies."

Founded in 1974, RIA represents some 300 companies, including leading robot manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms. RIA's quarterly statistics report is based on data supplied by member companies representing an estimated 90% of the North American market.

What will 2013 hold? Burnstein said RIA does not make robotics sales forecasts, but he believes that if the economy remains strong we should be looking at another good year for the robotics industry.

"The increased demand for robotics was evident at this year's Automate show in Chicago, which had record setting attendance levels," says Burnstein. "It is clear that people are excited about automation and the benefits it provides."

Source: RIA

http://www.packagingdigest.com/article/522974-Robots_on_the_rise_in_North_America.php