With the changes of the times, the world's perception of India is changing. India is expected to become the next manufacturing center after China. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand the development of the Indian laser market and the growth in the coming year.
In the past year and a half, the Indian government's policies have undergone many changes, including the 'de-banking' campaign and the implementation of the 'Goods Service Tax (GST)'. These changes have affected the laser industry, about four points. One of the companies is second to none, especially after the implementation of the goods and services tax. However, as the understanding of the goods and services tax deepens and the tax rate of goods and services falls from 28% to 18%, the laser industry will grow.
Looking at the laser market and its driving forces, the laser market is dominated by the sheet metal industry, which is driven by the automotive and manufacturing industries. Currently, laser marking and laser cutting are the two main markets for the Indian laser industry, while lasers Welding, cladding, hardening, micromachining and surface treatment techniques are not enough.
The number of laser cutting machines is growing rapidly. Market potential is yet to be developed.
The number of laser cutting machines in the Indian market is growing rapidly. According to the results of discussions among major suppliers such as SIL Group, Suresh Indu Pune, Laser Technology, Angel CAD CAM, Mehta CAD CAM, Sigma Mechatronics, ProLastec Pune, 2017 The number of machines in the market is 300-400. During the period of 2018-2019, the number of laser cutting machines may reach 600-800. More than half of the market will be cost-effective machines made in China (such as HSG, DNE and Bodor). The production of low-power and high-power fiber lasers, while the remaining market share will be occupied by local integrators and international companies such as Trumpf, Amada, Bystronic, LVD, Prima Power and Mazak Optonics.
It can be seen that the automotive market is growing at a double-digit rate and has become a driving force in the sheet metal industry, making a great contribution to the development of lasers. In addition, the field of processing and manufacturing - especially kitchenware, elevators , the thin sheet metal industry in the home sector (<5毫米)和其他此类应用也有助于激光市场的增长. 早些时候, 考虑到激光器的高成本(早期系统是昂贵的CO2激光器), 很多公司将此类工作外包. 但随着零维护的1kW光纤激光器的成本降至50,000美元以下, 这些公司已能承担自用机器的费用.
Today, many old-fashioned processing plants that used high-power CO2 laser cutting machines in the past are buying thin sheet metal for cutting (<5或10毫米)的光纤激光机. 此外, 加工车间的数量有所增加. 加工车间蓬勃发展的原因是大公司倾向于外包而不是购买自用机器进行生产, 因为他们不想辛辛苦苦管理机器进行生产并招收专业的技术人员来操作激光机, 却不确定他们是否能够获得所需的质量和生产力.
Currently, low-power laser cutting systems (mainly 500 or 1 kW) are gradually replacing the low-thickness sheet metal market that was previously occupied by turret punch presses.
Another factor is the increase in the number of distributors/integrators. Many local companies that manufacture or sell plasma cutting machines, CNCs or marking machines are beginning to get involved in the sales/assembly of imported laser cutting machines in China. Are growing.
It is worth mentioning that there is a very interesting phenomenon - although the number of laser cutting machines is growing significantly, if it is from a revenue perspective, the number does not seem to grow at the same rate. So, is this India? The actual growth of the laser market remains to be discussed. The reason for the growth of the laser market is the reduction in machine prices, and machine prices will continue to decline. This trend may last for several years until the market stabilizes at a certain price point.
Opportunities and challenges in parallel, the laser market can be expected in the future
In the next few years, laser cutting will continue to dominate the laser market. However, in the long run, other areas may also contribute to its growth. For example, the main purpose of the Indian government's launch of the 'Made in India' program is to establish local defense and aviation. Aerospace and other manufacturing industries, and currently the world's leading companies and TATA, Reliance, L&T and Mahindra and other Indian companies have established joint ventures. This field will bring cutting, welding, cladding, micromachining and shot peening applications. The demand for laser systems, as well as medical, packaging and other fields have corresponding laser application requirements.
The high-power laser market (>2-3kW) will also grow, mainly for cutting, welding, cladding and heat treatment. High-power laser welding will grow with the expansion of automobiles and other fields, and is often used for mold repair and Low-power pulsed YAG/fiber laser welding systems in different fields such as battery welding will continue to grow as the manufacturing industry picks up.
The surface treatment (cladding and heat treatment) market is a stable market dominated by Laserline. The market has not grown as expected, as traditional coating methods such as plasma transfer arc surfacing (PTA) are more common for most applications. Low-cost, mature technology. If the market wants to continue to grow, then these companies need to demonstrate and demonstrate their benefits to end users through specific applications, because these users need to understand the laser and, in the long run, pass the lower than PTA. The cost benefits.
Another driver for the next few years is additive manufacturing, 3D printing and hybrid manufacturing, which will leverage lasers for all industrial applications, including automotive, aerospace, medical, jewelry and mold industries.
The growth of lasers in scientific research will remain stable as new Indian Institutes of Technology, Nano Centers and Centers of Excellence are being established, and new technologies such as nano, solar, and bio-optical technologies are supported by the government. Also by private partnerships Partial funding for the entire project cost for results-oriented research.
OLED displays, microelectronics and semiconductors are driving the sale of lasers worldwide. These products have not yet appeared in India. People often say that 'young people are the hope of the future', while more than 60% of India's population is under 35 years old. So the future belongs to India. Although this growth faces a series of challenges, such as: lack of professionals and application experts and security issues. But we must believe that these problems can be solved over time.