January 23, 2014 - The escalating need for dimensional measurement in automotive, aerospace and defence, machines shop, and other industries has resulted in the introduction of vastly improved technology and product lines in the global metrology probes and scanners market. With the downturn compelling a reduction in manpower at the customer end, manufacturers are being relied upon to become complete solution providers that can commission and integrate the whole measuring system. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Analysis of the Global Metrology Probes and Scanners Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $290.9 million in 2012 and estimates this to reach $398.3 billion in 2017.
With the traditionally strong North American and European markets experiencing economic uncertainty, most participants are tapping the growth potential in Asia-Pacific. “Customers across end-user industries need several types of touch trigger probes, scanners and multisensor probes, and are looking for single-source suppliers that can provide these services – on their own or through partnerships,” said Frost & Sullivan Measurement & Instrumentation Research Analyst Prathima Bommakanti. “This gives manufacturers a chance to offer integrated measuring machines along with the probing systems and garner a larger share of the user budget.”
However, probes and scanners consumption is connected with the sales of metrology equipment and most end-user companies have postponed or stalled the purchase of capital goods. Another issue restraining the market’s growth is the maturity of the probe technology; development has remained relatively stagnant for all but the premium end of the market. “To remain competitive, metrology probe manufacturers need to continue improving upon existing designs and focus on key end-user issues,” observed Bommakanti. “The question is whether this innovation can keep pace with newer technologies.” In the mean time, companies that nimbly address customer concerns, evolving technologies and high-price points, through regular operational improvements will gain an edge.
Services associated with product sales will thus become a prominent sales strategy. “Growing end-user interest in scanners is also raising market potential,” noted Bommakanti. “Manufacturers are increasingly integrating scanners with fixed and portable coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) to meet user demand for accuracy. Since software plays a key role in this integration, software development is becoming a critical factor in the market.”
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