It is understood that a single machine tool may require 4 to 5 frequency converters. This clearly indicates the market potential for machine tool frequency converters. Currently, most of the frequency converters used in my country's machine tool market are from Japanese brands. For example, Mitsubishi frequency converters are widely used in machine tools due to their near-servo-computer functionality. Delta frequency converters, on the other hand, have seen their market share gradually increase in recent years due to their similar functionality to Mitsubishi but at a much lower price, offering high cost-effectiveness.
Currently, the development trends of frequency converters for machine tools are characterized by: First, high performance. Almost all frequency converters now require vector control, and a few different levels of control structures and algorithms have emerged. It is worth noting that sensorless vector control (SVC) has developed rapidly in recent years, as SVC can provide low-cost, high-efficiency solutions and has become the ideal standard and development direction for general-purpose frequency converters. Second, continuously improving ease of control. User demands for frequency converters are gradually shifting towards field installation, with the addition of configuration tools to the software to simplify the commissioning process through user operation. Third, a gradual increase in the demand for functional modularization and intelligence.
Sales data for machine tools in 2008 show that the inventory situation for general-purpose machine tools, especially multi-functional lathes, was quite severe, while the market for composite machine tools and large heavy-duty products was better. These machine tools have a wide processing range, and the moving parts of the machine tools have different operating speeds, which also puts forward higher requirements for the functions of frequency converters. Domestic frequency converter manufacturers should seize the opportunity to cultivate the machine tool market.
It is understood that in 2008, the total market value of frequency converters in the machine tool industry was approximately 500 million yuan.
Among lathe products, frequency converters are the most widely used. However, Japanese brands such as Yaskawa, Fuji, and Mitsubishi, as well as Taiwanese brands like Delta, hold a significant market share. Although some domestic brands of frequency converters are also being used by machine tool manufacturers, such as Shenzhen Huichuan frequency converters which perform well in lathe applications, foreign brands such as Mitsubishi, Fuji, Siemens, and Delta still dominate in fields with higher functional requirements for frequency converters, such as grinding machines and forging presses.
