Inovance, a leading Chinese automation firm, has made a significant leap into the European industrial AC motors market, unveiling its latest IE5-efficiency motor featuring advanced hairpin technology derived from the automotive sector. This announcement was made during the SPS exhibition held in Germany, highlighting the company’s expansion plans within Europe.
The new MV33 motors incorporate cutting-edge flat winding and hairpin winding technologies that allow them to be reduced by two to three frame sizes while maintaining the same output compared to traditional motors. These permanent magnet synchronous motors are engineered to function effectively in high-temperature environments, handling heat levels up to 60°C.
Inovance also introduced the MD630 variable-speed drives, tailored specifically for the European market. These drives are designed to comply with various European directives and support prominent protocols including EtherCat, Profinet, and EtherNet/IP. They feature safety ratings of SIL 3, built-in filtering systems, and programmable logic capabilities, thus ensuring integration into existing industrial frameworks across Europe.
Expanding its product range, Inovance showcased new articulated and Scara robots intended for the European market. Initial models will have a load capacity of up to 20kg, with plans to release more robust versions in 2025. The company holds a notable position in the Chinese market, being the largest supplier of Scara robots, with a market share of 20.8%. Additionally, Inovance ranks as the fourth-largest provider of articulated robots in China, holding a 6.5% market share, and has capabilities to offer robots that can manage loads of up to 300kg domestically.
Inovance reported impressive financial results for 2023, with total revenues nearing $4.3 billion. Notably, 47% of these revenues originate from its industrial automation activities, while other sectors such as electric vehicles and rail contribute 33%, elevators 17%, and robotics 3%. With a workforce of approximately 23,685, the company claims market leadership in several sectors, including servo systems, medium-voltage AC drives, low-voltage AC drives, and small Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).
On a global scale, Inovance asserts its position as a leading player in elevator controls and is on track to increase its market share in servodrives, claiming to be the fourth-largest supplier in this category in 2023. This marks a considerable rise from its seventh-place ranking in low-voltage AC drive sales in 2022.
Inovance has also unveiled a new design philosophy intended to enhance product identification across its entire range, aligning with modern trends in industrial design and usability. David Bedford Guaus, the company’s European strategic marketing manager, highlighted the depth of expertise gained through years of operating in the Chinese market, noting the presence of Inovance's robots in the production lines of major international brands, potentially including personal devices used by many consumers today.
Source: Noah Wire Services