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Spending on chip manufacturing equipment to reach record high of $70 billion in 2021

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Global sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment by original equipment manufacturers are projected to increase six percent to $63.2 billion in 2020, compared to $59.6 billion in 2019, before logging record high revenue of $70 billion in 2021 on the strength of double-digit growth, according to industry association SEMI.

The group revealed the figures is its Mid-Year Total Semiconductor Equipment Forecast – OEM Perspective at the annual SEMICON West exposition.

Growth across a number of semiconductor segments is expected to power the expansion. The wafer fab equipment segment – which includes wafer processing, fab facilities, and mask/reticle equipment – is expected to rise five percent in 2020 followed by 13 percent growth in 2021 driven by a memory spending recovery and investments in leading-edge and China. [Read more…] about Spending on chip manufacturing equipment to reach record high of $70 billion in 2021

Manufacturing industry ‘optimistic’ about post-pandemic recovery

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More than 60 percent of professionals in the UK manufacturing industry expect the sector to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and return to business as usual by mid-2021, according to a new survey by SteelScout.

However, they highlighted issues in the wider supply chain which might impact the recovery, with almost 30 percent unable to access the materials they need and 36 percent adding that it is taking longer just to receive a “winning quote”.

One key driver behind the confidence in recovery is that 62 percent of respondents reported having orders waiting to be fulfilled once lockdown rules have eased. [Read more…] about Manufacturing industry ‘optimistic’ about post-pandemic recovery

Robots provide opportunities for restart after coronavirus pandemic, say industry leaders

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Robots provide opportunities for a restart of the economy after the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to industry leaders surveyed by Automatica, one of the largest industrial automation trade shows in the world.

Messe Munchen, which owns Automatica, says it did a survey and found the following:

  • 84 percent of decision-makers expect more robot automation in German SMEs;
  • 77 percent of decision-makers rely on mobile robotics to convert production quickly; and
  • 76 percent of employees in SMEs want robotics training.

Even before the corona pandemic, the manufacturing industry in Germany was highly automated according to figures from the International Federation of Robotics and ranked third in robot density worldwide behind Singapore and South Korea. [Read more…] about Robots provide opportunities for restart after coronavirus pandemic, say industry leaders

ForwardX Robotics launches robots-as-a-service for its warehouse automation solutions

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ForwardX Robotics, a provider of artificial intelligence and robotics solutions, says it will now offer Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) options for its collaborative mobile robots.

Whilst also offering outright sale and renting options, the RaaS subscription-based model aims to encourage supply chain operations to invest in innovation by allowing them to upgrade their facilities without the large upfront investment usually associated with automation projects.

Paul Qian, VP of sales at ForwardX Robotics, says: “The pressure on supply chains to deliver is growing with every day that passes and we know how much of an impact our solutions can have on facilities and their processes. [Read more…] about ForwardX Robotics launches robots-as-a-service for its warehouse automation solutions

SEMI backs US government initiative to support to chipmaking in America

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Global semiconductor manufacturing industry association SEMI has expressed its backing for the US government’s initiative to support to chipmaking in America.

Facing a staggering “50 percent decline” in the US share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity over the past 20 years, Congress has introduced the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act – also known as CHIPS for America Act.

The measures called for in the Act include a federal investment tax credit, which is “strongly supported” by SEMI, which represents the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain. [Read more…] about SEMI backs US government initiative to support to chipmaking in America

Coronavirus expected to cut industrial robot revenue by more than 8 per cent this year

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By Maya Xiao of Interact Analysis

The coronavirus pandemic which has devastated economies worldwide is expected to reduce revenues in the industrial robot market by more than 8 per cent, according to a study by Interact Analysis.

“After a weak 2019, we originally expected the 2020 robot market to recover strongly, but Covid-19 changed the market revenue growth forecast from 4.8 percent to -3.6 percent,” writes Maya Xiao, automation market expert at Interact Analysis.

Global industrial robot shipments experienced negative growth for four consecutive quarters from mid-2018, she says. At the end of 2019, recovery signs appeared, and the mid-term growth rate turned positive. This turnaround happened in the context of a continued slowdown in general global manufacturing activity, which led to weak spending on machinery and automation equipment. [Read more…] about Coronavirus expected to cut industrial robot revenue by more than 8 per cent this year

Semiconductor fabricators expected to spend record $68 billion in 2021

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Semiconductor fabrication companies are expected to log record spending of nearly $68 billion in 2021 after the 2020 lull caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to industry association SEMI.

“2021 is poised to mark a banner year for global fab equipment spending with 24 percent growth to a record $67.7 billion, 10 percent higher than the previously forecast US$65.7 billion,” says SEMI in a statement.

The organisation adds that all product segments look like they will provide “solid growth rates”. [Read more…] about Semiconductor fabricators expected to spend record $68 billion in 2021

The impact of coronavirus on e-commerce with China

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By Matt Rivera, marketing and business expansion advisor for Asian markets in China

The spread of coronavirus has undoubtedly shifted the entire global economy. Businesses of almost every sector needed to rapidly react and navigate the challenges presented by the virus to quickly overcome them and move forward.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to surge in Italy, Germany, Spain and nearly all over the world. Businesses in major global cities such as Rome and New York have been gravely affected by this unfortunate turn of events.

Companies are scrambling to mobilize responses, but the unpredictable nature of the virus, coupled with the obvious under-preparedness by business executives and government leaders, these responses have brought little to no success. [Read more…] about The impact of coronavirus on e-commerce with China

Siemens acquires provider of virtual training for industrial companies Vizendo

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Siemens has acquired Swedish service and software company Vizendo, a provider of virtual operator training for automotive manufacturing.

Virtual training enables industrial companies to reduce their training times and launch new products faster and in higher quality.

Karen Florschütz, CEO of the customer services business unit at Siemens, says: “Virtual training has huge growth potential. Vizendo’s service and software range ideally complements our digital services and thus our Digital Enterprise portfolio. [Read more…] about Siemens acquires provider of virtual training for industrial companies Vizendo

Stereotaxis robotic technology referenced in ‘over 400 scientific publications’

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Stereotaxis, a developer of robotic technologies for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, says it has reached a significant milestone of over 400 scientific publications now documenting the clinical benefits of Stereotaxis robotic technology.

A complete, searchable database of all publications is available on the company’s website, at this link.

David Fischel, chairman and CEO of Stereotaxis, says: “The clinical benefits of Robotic Magnetic Navigation have been extensively validated in high-quality clinical literature and in the real-world treatment of over one-hundred-thousand arrhythmia patients. [Read more…] about Stereotaxis robotic technology referenced in ‘over 400 scientific publications’