Austin - TX (December 2008) – The global linear motor market was estimated to have reached $660 million in 2007, which represented growth of almost 40% over a three year period. This was relatively high in comparison with many areas of the industrial automation market, and was despite a decline in global investment within the semiconductor and flat panel machinery markets, industries which traditionally constitute two of the largest markets for these products.
In 2007, the portion of the direct drive linear motor market accounted for by high-end semiconductor, and flat panel industries had fallen from 54% in 2004 to represent approximately one third of all market revenues for these products. This was a direct result of the much lower levels of global investment into these sectors during this period. Whilst the recent boom in demand for linear motors from the machine tool sector served to exacerbate this difference, an equally critical contributor was the recent increase in demand for linear motors into other high-end applications.
Report analyst Rob Carter commented “Demand for direct drive linear motors in medical, test and measurement, and photovoltaic machinery has increased dramatically over the last couple of years, culminating in these markets accounting for between ten and fifteen percent of all linear motor systems revenues in 2007”.
Carter continues “Recent investment within these sectors, and a need for high functionality technology provided a substantial market base, outside of traditional industrial markets, for many linear motor suppliers in 2007. This undoubtedly helped cushion the blow of investment decline within the semiconductor and flat panel display machinery sectors, and has provided new opportunities for many suppliers who were previously focussed on traditional sectors. The fact that these markets are not directly linked to consumer markets is undoubtedly beneficial to these suppliers, especially in the current economic climate. This is a major factor to why medical, test and measurement, and photovoltaic applications are collectively expected to account for almost 20% of all linear motor revenues within the next 5 years.”
If you would like to speak with an experienced analyst in this area please contact Chris George: or +44 1933 40 22 55.
About IMS Research
IMS Research is a supplier of market research and consultancy services on a wide range of global electronics markets. The company is supported by headquarters in Wellingborough, UK and offices in Austin, Texas and Shanghai, China. IMS Research regularly publishes detailed research on the markets for AC induction motors, AC and DC motor drives, motion control equipment (including servo and stepper based control), gearboxes and geared motors, small motors, linear actuators, linear motors, and low voltage products, among others.
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