Overview of the industrial automation industry

1► Definition, classification and function of industrial automation

Definition: Industrial automation refers to the comprehensive use of control theory, instrumentation, computers and other information technology in the manufacturing process of the machinery industry to achieve automatic processing and continuous production, improve the efficiency and quality of mechanical production, and release productivity means of operation. Industrial automation control system is an important part of high-end equipment, is the key to the development of advanced manufacturing technology, and is an important basis for the optimization and upgrading of industrial structure.

PXIE-6556 Diagram: Industrial automation production process diagram

Source: Industry 4.0 Institute, Star Can Capital collation

Classification: According to the degree of automation, it can be divided into semi-automated and fully automated.

1, semi-automation, that is, part of the use of automatic control and automatic devices, while the other part of the manual operation of the machine for production.

2, full automation, refers to all processes in the production process, including loading, unloading, loading, etc., do not require people to directly carry out production operations (people only indirectly watch and supervise the operation of the machine), and the machine continuously and repeatedly automatically produce one or a batch of products.

Functions:

1, greatly improve the safety of industrial production process;

2, greatly improve the production efficiency of the equipment;

3, greatly improve the quality of finished products, maintain quality stability;

4, greatly reduce the raw materials and energy consumption in the industrial production process.

2► Industrial automation development history

“Internet + industry” promotes China’s industrial automation level to a higher stage of development. Since the reform and opening up, China’s industrial production is gradually in line with international standards, about every ten years to experience a development period. According to its development process, China’s industrial automation can be divided into five stages: planned industry period, foreign investment introduction period, domestic enterprise start-up period, domestic enterprise development period and domestic replacement acceleration period.

PXIE-6556 The scale of China’s automation industry has accelerated since the 21st century, entering a new stage of development after experiencing supply-side reform, the technical level of domestic enterprises continues to improve, and domestic substitution continues.

Chart: The development of industrial automation in China

Source: Huajing Industrial Research Institute, Star Can Capital collation

3► Industrial automation industry chain

Upstream: mainly all kinds of power electronic components, including semiconductor components such as IGBT, electronic components such as resistors and capacitors, but also including permanent magnet materials, insulation materials, structural parts and other raw materials.

Midstream: mainly industrial automation products, according to function can be divided into control layer, drive layer, executive layer, and sensing layer. The control layer realizes the analysis, processing and distribution of tasks, such as PLC, DCS, etc. The drive layer decodes the tasks of the control layer into signals that can be recognized by motors, valves, etc., such as frequency converters and servo drivers; The executive layer performs corresponding tasks, such as various types of motors, valves, etc.

Downstream: mainly for the application of industrial automation system, it can be divided into OEM industry and project industry, of which OEM industry is mainly wind power, machine tools, elevators, textile machinery, packaging, electronic manufacturing, etc.; Project-oriented industries mainly include electric power, petrochemical, oil and gas, municipal, building materials, metallurgy and so on.