VDMA
New record for Robotics + Automation
The robotics and automation industry in Germany achieved a record sales volume of EUR 14.5 billion in 2017 - an increase of 13% compared to the previous year. For 2018, the VDMA is forecasting industry growth of 9% to €15.8 billion.
"2017 was a very strong year for our industry," said Dr. Norbert Stein, Chairman of the Executive Board of VDMA Robotics + Automation, at the annual press conference of the VDM trade association. "We already raised our forecast significantly over the course of the year. The fact that our expectations have now been exceeded once again is testament to the extraordinary market momentum in automation."
The unusually strong demand for robotics and automation technologies in 2017 extended delivery times for systems and, according to Stein, will continue to have a positive impact on sales well into 2018.
The VDMA trade association at Automatica 2018
Together with its member companies, the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association wants to create the conditions for interoperable communication in the smart factory: Accordingly, the Machine Vision, Integrated Assembly Solutions and Robotics departments have developed cross-manufacturer information models based on the OPC UA communication standard for the first time. This means that the machines will speak the same language in future and can communicate directly with each other - and with the workers. Using an OPC UA demonstrator, the association and industry partners will be showing two use cases at Automatica 2018 in Munich: Firstly, the capability-based control of an assembly cell with components and systems from more than 20 manufacturers. The second is cloud-based condition monitoring of robots from different manufacturers and designs. On the first day of the trade fair (June 19, 2018) at 4:30 p.m., the official drafts of the Robotics and Vision OPC UA Companion Specifications will also be published at a press event.
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