productronica China 2024, an exhibition specializing in electronics manufacturing, industrial equipment and automation, ran from March 20 to 22 in Shanghai, China. This year’s event was considered a great success considering the recent challenges faced by China. In summary, productronica China was participated by 904 global exhibitors and 60,657 visitors attended the three-day event. Moreover, the exhibition space was greatly expanded to approximately 75,000sq.m.

Since the end of last year, the production of local Chinese smartphones has been improving. Accordingly, signs of a recovery in demand in China have begun to emerge. This positive outlook is reflected in the large number of visitors that attended the trade show. Moreover, a growing momentum for capital investments was displayed at the event.

Mainly, curious visitors sought to catch a glimpse of the latest automation equipment. They were looking for equipment that promote manpower saving and highly efficient production, which are of great interest in China. In addition to SMT-related products for electronics manufacturing, productronica China also exhibited a score of industrial robots. The exhibition is once again gaining a high reputation as the need for automation increases.

Main Exhibits of Japanese Manufacturers

FUJI Corporation’s main exhibit was the NXTR, a next-generation mounting machine. The product is available in two types: the A model and the conventional S model. Specifically, the A model features a smart loader that automatically performs set-up changes and material supply work. Meanwhile, the S model promotes high-speed, high-precision mounting technology.

Sei Mori, general manager, FUJI Machine China Co., Ltd., said, “There is a lot of interest in the A model, which realizes full automation of SMT lines, but many companies start with the S model. In addition to the NXTR, which is our mainstay in China, we will propose R-generation platforms, like the AIMEXR, an extended all-in-one mounting machine (mounter), and contribute to the realization of the optimum smart factory for Chinese customers”.

Meanwhile, JUKI Corporation unveiled its new LX-8 high-speed mounting machine in the Chinese market for the first time. The multi-tasking platform JM-100, which is in increasing demand in the smart energy sector, such as solar power generation systems and household accumulators, was also on display and attracted a lot of attention.

TAKAYA Corporation held a joint exhibition with ITOCHU Corporation, its general global distributor, and others. Mainly, the company proposed the Flying Probe Tester for continuity testing of mounted boards. High-density mounting is increasing as electronic equipment becomes more sophisticated. This product can detect defects that are difficult to detect by AOI or X-ray inspection. Demand for this product is increasing. Actual equipment was exhibited at the exhibition to promote the product.

In addition, FANUC Corporation exhibited industrial robots and many other companies promoted the technologies that support smart factories.

This year’s productronica China was held simultaneously with LASER World of PHOTONICS CHINA, a specialized exhibition for laser processing machines, and SEMICON China 2024, a trade fair for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, materials and components. While the synergy led to an increase in visitors, companies wishing to exhibit at each exhibition were scrambling to get slots and had to wait for cancellations.

Because of this, from next year onwards, LASER World of PHOTONICS CHINA will be held two weeks earlier, while productronica China and SEMICON China will be held simultaneously. It is expected that the number of new exhibitors will be higher at both exhibitions, and this will boost the number of visitors.

This is an English translation of a Japanese article originally published in Dempa Shimbun Daily.

-02 April 2024-