On July 22, 2016, the EtherCAT Technology Association reached another milestone in the development of the EtherCAT market in mainland China: surpassing 500 local members!
Since the establishment of the EtherCAT Technology Association’s China representative office in Beijing in 2007, the number of ETG members in mainland China has grown from fewer than 10 to now 500. Leading local enterprises, educational institutions, and research organizations from industries such as CNC, motion control, machine tools, metal processing, wood processing, plastic machinery, robotics, power, building automation, aerospace, photovoltaic semiconductors, and wind power are actively engaged in the research and implementation of EtherCAT technology. In 2013, ETG China established an official conformance testing center (ETC) at Beihang University, marking another significant step for ETG in China. In 2014, EtherCAT technology was included in the recommended national standard (GB) in China, making it easier for end users, manufacturers, and product suppliers in China to understand, implement, and use. In 2015, EtherCAT technology was included in the “Guidelines for the Construction of National Intelligent Manufacturing Standard System,” becoming one of the recommended standards for high-end equipment manufacturing and intelligent manufacturing in China.
EtherCAT is not only an industrial communication technology recognized by standard organizations, but it is also a technology that has been truly recognized by the market. At major automation-related exhibitions, core automation control equipment suppliers from both domestic and international markets have showcased EtherCAT products or systems. More suppliers and more listed products create the prerequisites for EtherCAT technology to become a market standard. Machine manufacturers or system integrators can adopt this technology from a more rational perspective and select related products that support EtherCAT, thus ensuring a high-performance, highly flexible machine control system while maintaining a more open system architecture and leaving sufficient room for performance upgrades.
The technical team at ETG China will continue to promote and advocate for EtherCAT technology, deeply cultivating the Chinese market, providing various support and services to member units, and helping local machine manufacturers improve their equipment performance, contributing to the grand blueprint of “Made in China 2025.”
Figure: Since the establishment of the EtherCAT Technology Association’s China representative office in 2007, the number of ETG members in mainland China has grown from fewer than 10 to now 500.
About the EtherCAT Technology Association (ETG)
The EtherCAT Technology Association is an organization that supports, promotes, and improves EtherCAT technology, consisting of important users and leading automation suppliers from various industrial fields. With over 3,800 member companies from 62 countries, the EtherCAT Technology Association has become the largest fieldbus organization in the world. Founded in 2003, it is also the fastest-growing fieldbus organization.
About EtherCAT®:
EtherCAT is an industrial Ethernet technology characterized by high performance, low cost, ease of use, and flexible topology. This technology was introduced to the market in 2003 and became an IEC international standard and SEMI standard in 2007. EtherCAT is an open technology: anyone can implement or use it.
For more information, please visit www.ethercat.org.cn