China machine tool development plan details

According to machine.2456.com there are seven groups: high-speed, high-precision CNC lathes and turning centres, and 4-axis (or above) machining centres; high-speed, high-precision vertical machining centres and CNC boring and milling centres; different types of heavy-duty and super heavy-duty CNC machine tools; ultra-high-precision CNC grinding machines, crankshaft, grinding machines with cam shaft bearings, plus specialised grinding machines; CNC electro-machining machines, including large-sized, CNC high-precision EDM machines, CNC low-speed wire-cutting EDM machines, and high precision small hole EDM machines; metalforming machines, including CNC high-speed, high-precision sheet stamping machines, laser cutting machining centres, and CNC high-power rotary presses; and flexible automatic production lines and specialised CNC machines. In addition, says machine.2456.com, China will place emphasis on the development of CNC control systems and key functional parts in the next five years. Main projects are: middle- to high-end CNC control systems; high-speed spindles and their servo units; high-performance robots for tool holders; high-speed ball screws; linear guided motors; linear servo-motors; all-purpose CNC tool carriers; plus CNC rotary tables and high-speed protective devices. This five-year plan is, in fact, part of a longer term development. China in which the country is to develop high-end CNC machine tools in a strategy to revitalise its equipment manufacturing industry in the next five to 15 years. In China's ‘Outline of the National Medium- and Long-term Planning for Development of Science and Technology (From 2006 to 2020)’, released in February this year, high-end CNC machine tools and fundamental manufacturing technology are chosen as one of the 16 core projects in science and technology, together with large-sized aeroplanes, manned aerospace and moon exploration.