Taiwan Makers Focus on Intelligent Machine Tools to Better Compete

Taipei, Feb. 21, 2012 (CENS)--Amid tough competition from China where makers have rapidly improved automated machinery, Taiwan's manufacturers of machine tools are enhancing development and production of intelligent machines that are seen to become mainstream.

Over the past few years, some domestic manufacturers have sped development of horizontal, large double-column machining centers to boost competitiveness globally as Taiwan-made, conventional three-axis machine tools have lost ground to those made in China.

C.C. Chang, president of Leaderway CNC Technologies Co. that specializes in CNC vertical machining and turning centers, said some manufacturers of machining centers in China are promoting a lot of sophisticated machines, including the HDBS-63 high-speed horizontal machining centers, HDM80 high-precision horizontal machining centers, VDBS-65 high-speed vertical machining centers, with the HDBS-63 chosen as focus for nation-wide development.

Chang noted that China's 12th national five-year plan calls for aggressive development of computerized numerical-control machine tools, which will threaten the existence of Taiwan-made machine-tools globally.

To cope with competition from China, Chang urges domestic manufacturers to develop instant-control systems to facilitate production of intelligent machine tools, which can automatically monitor operations and problems, as well as help manufacturers keep up with renowned brands of Germany and Japan.