Machine-tool Makers Vie to Promote Home-grown CNC Devices Source: CENS 2008/10/29 Taipei, Oct. 29, 2008 (CENS)--Taiwan`s leading machine tool manufacturers, including Ching Hung Machinery and Electric Industry Co. and Yeong Chin Machinery Industries Co., are promoting self-designed, cost-effective PC-based CNC (computer numerically controlled) devices so as to compete with European and Japanese counterparts. A survey by the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI) shows approximately 70% of the 1,000 machine tools at the 2008 International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago in September adopted Japanese and European-made CNC devices. Nevertheless, the U.S.-based HAAS and HURCO and Taiwan`s Ching Hung and Yeong Chin adopted state-of-the-art PC-based CNC devices. Over the past several years, the U.S. machine-tool market has been penetrated by overseas manufacturers from Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, causing U.S. manufacturers as HAAS, HURCO, and Hardinge to lose domestic market share to foreign competitors. The TAMI pointed out that at the 2008 IMTS, the number of the exhibitors showcasing CNC devices was 47 and that for CNC software came to 52, most of whom came from Japan, Europe and the U.S., with the Japanese brands dominating the CNC device sector. TAMI vice president C.C. Wang said although most machine-tool manufacturers at the 2008 IMTS adopted Japanese CNC devices, some manufacturers from Taiwan, including Ching Hung, Accuway and Yeong Chin, installed self-developed PC-based controllers. In addition, Pou Yuen Technology Corp., one of Taiwan`s leading manufacturers of CNC devices, has persuaded some local machine-tool manufacturers to install its products in lathes and milling machines. With years of efforts to promote its products, Pou Yuen has gradually penetrated the Chinese machine-tool market. The TAMI believes local manufacturers of CNC devices can take a slice of the world market if they focus on producing high-quality products and offer good after-sale services. (by Ben Shen)