High Growth Expected for Safety PLCs & Safety Bus/Networks

There are concerns about the reliability and safety in the use of safety buses/networks for machine automatic safeguarding, particularly when safety and non-safety data is handled by the same bus/network. Nevertheless usage is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period, as the use of safety PLCs grows and reliability of operations with safety buses/networks becomes proven. Usage is particularly attractive when machines and controls become more complex (i.e., for example, requiring many emergency stops and/or safety gate switches with multiple actuators).

Natick, MA (PRWEB) April 14, 2005 -- A new market study by Venture Development Corporation (VDC) projects the most rapid growth for machine automatic safeguarding equipment in Europe and North America will be for programmable safety systems (safety PLCs).

Current and Forecast Programmable Safety System (Safety PLC) Shipments for Machine Automatic Safeguarding Applications
(U.S. Dollars)

2004
Europe: $43.1 Million
North America: $9.3 Million

2007
Europe: $78.8 Million
North America: $20.7 Million

Compound Annual Growth Rates
Europe: 22.3%
North America: 30.6%

The overall machine automatic safeguarding equipment markets are forecast to grow at compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) of 7.4% for Europe, and 12.5% for North America between through 2007. However, the small programmable safety system portions of these markets are forecast to growth at significantly higher rates of 22.3% and 30.6% respectively. This difference is primarily due to the European market's level of maturity, as well as its further adoption of programmable safety systems for these applications.

There are concerns about the reliability and safety in the use of safety buses/networks for machine automatic safeguarding, particularly when safety and non-safety data is handled by the same bus/network. Nevertheless usage is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period, as the use of safety PLCs grows and reliability of operations with safety buses/networks becomes proven. Usage is particularly attractive when machines and controls become more complex (i.e., for example, requiring many emergency stops and/or safety gate switches with multiple actuators).

Benefits resulting from use of safety PLCs and buses/networks include:

- Allowing greater integration of machine controls;
- Capability for better and easier diagnostics where intelligence is provided down to device levels;
- Faster and easier maintenance;
- Greater flexibility in machine controls;
- Less wiring to be installed, fewer connections to be made;
- Reduction in cost of commissioning;
- Reduction in installation and reconfiguring costs; and
- Reduction of design costs.

To view this press release (including exhibit), please go to:
http://www.vdc-corp.com/industrial/press/05/pr05-10.html

Report Availability
http://www.vdc-corp.com/industrial/reports/04/br04-16.html

About VDC
Venture Development Corporation (VDC) is an independent technology market research and strategy consulting firm that specializes in a number of industrial, embedded, component, retail automation, RFID, AIDC, datacom/telecom, and defense markets. VDC has been operating since 1971, when the firm was founded by graduates of the Harvard Business School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Today, we employ a talented collection of analysts and consultants who offer a rare combination of expertise in the market research process; experience in technology product and program management; and formal training in engineering and marketing. VDCs clients include thousands of the largest and fastest-growing tech suppliers in the world and the most successful investors participating in the markets we cover.

For further information about "The North American & European Markets for Machine Automatic Safeguarding Equipment - Second Edition" or any other VDC service, contact:

Marc Regberg, Vice President, 508-653-9000 ext. 111, msr@vdc-corp.com

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