Linear Motion Products Market Size, Share & COVID-91 Impact Analysis, By Product (Bearings, Linear Guides & Tables, Actuator, Ball Screws, Linear Motors and Drives, Others), By Application (Medical and Pharmaceuticals, Semiconductor & Electronics, Aerospace, Food & Beverages, Machining Tools, Automotive, Others), and Regional Forecast, 2022-2029

The global linear motion products market size was valued at USD 10.9 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow from USD 11.5 billion in 2022 to USD 18.1 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period. The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with linear motion products experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a growth of 4.4% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Linear motion technology constitutes one-dimensional motion along a straight line. The main products include linear bearings, linear actuators, linear guides & tables, ball screws, linear motors & drives, and others. The products are widely used in various industries such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment, machine tools, and others. The linear bushing mechanism uses steel balls of the cage roll along with cylindrical shaft while creating point of contact with the shaft, allowing extremely precise linear motion with slight frictional resistance. Ball screws are equipment that transform the rotation of a screw shaft into linear motion. In addition, the linear guides are kind of bearings that offer an easy movement in the way to rails & feature diminutive friction owing to the motion of steel balls.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Steady Demand for Linear Motion Products During Pandemic to Accelerate Market Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a considerable decline in the revenue generation of leading market players. These companies have subsequently recorded reduction in their profit margins. Further, the abrupt closure of manufacturing facilities affecting the rate of daily output from production facilities played a pivotal role in plummeting the sales of these market players.

Additionally, restrictions during the initial phase of the pandemic and stringent Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) & guidelines post lockdowns affected the standard supply chains of the market. The complete collapse of supply chains increased the inability of the market key players to continue the streamlined supply of their products.

However, due to the efficient management and healthy demand for these products, the market recorded a steady growth over the recent period. The manufacturers accelerated the pace of manufacturing and also strengthened and realigned their supply chain operations & product distributions over time. These efforts reinforced the position of these manufacturers and increased their direct customer reach, thereby boosting sales across multiple regions. 

LATEST TRENDS

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Market Share to Rise Due to Considerable Inclination Toward Smart Mechatronic Solutions with Compact Systems

The prominent linear motion products manufacturers are trying to integrate configurators and digital engineering tools into manufacturing systems. These efforts help to make the entire system smart and completely automated. The high level of automation has reduced the downtime, elevating manufacturing rate and uplifting productivity.

• For instance, in June 2021, Bosch Rexroth AG, one of the prominent manufacturers of the linear motion technology solutions, introduced Smart Function Kit. The solution can be used in modern and updated mechatronic solutions for pressing and joining applications. The kit is aimed to provide electric, mechanics, and software in its package. The product will attract customers toward smart mechatronics solutions and will take linear motion technology to a new level over the forecast period.

In addition to such initiatives, users and consumers are working rigorously to make their systems more compact to reduce floor space and increase the operational capabilities of their manufacturing facilities.

• For instance, Aerotech has recently shared that their company is trying to develop an integrated solution to devise compact and all feature encompassing electronic drives. These drives have a decent demand in the market.

Thus, with the integration of smart mechatronics, adoption of certain novel technologies has been under a focus after the effective development of industry 4.0. Moreover, the use of electronics and software technology to develop a robust system design is expected to appeal to masses from multiple applications over the slated period of time.

DRIVING FACTORS

Innovative Linear Motion Products with Enhanced Manufacturing Standards to Bolster Market Growth

Linear-motion technology is the base for several crucial components utilized in advanced industrial machinery. Maximizing the performance in an efficient, cost-effective, and secure manner remains a challenge for companies operating in this industry. Therefore, the goal of all mobile, off-highway, and construction equipment end-users and manufacturers is the minimization of operating and maintenance costs while maximizing vehicle efficiency and longevity, even in the most extreme conditions.

Furthermore, these types of advanced motion products offer improved production standards such as the use of leadscrew assemblies and linear actuators to provide clean, quiet, and accurate solutions that are cost-effective. The setup of automated warehouses is further increasing capacity and productivity as well as improving working conditions.

• For instance, in May 2020, Rockwell Automation, Inc., expanded its linear motion control system with a new iTRAK 5730 small-frame intelligent track system. The solution has improved flexibility for food and beverage packaging.

The increasing use of linear-motion devices is partly due to the considerable evolution that the technology has undergone in recent years. The motion products are increasing the standards that optimize productivity. This is set to increase the linear motion products market growth in the coming years.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Market Expansion Hampered Due to High Operational Cost of Products

The installation cost is a significant obstacle for market growth. The huge cost is mostly due to other components that are considered while outlining a linear motion system involving the guides, structural support, seals, lubrication, drives, and accessories between two points.  The guides are connected to the base to simplify the motion. Also, ball guides carry heavyweight payloads and have the maximum stiffness. Their dual-rail or single integration moves with slight abrasion. Furthermore, while procuring linear motion systems, at times, typical catalog products do not meet application requirements. Due to this, the vendor designs a component from scratch or even amends a standard product, which includes an extra cost. These factors hinder market growth to some extent.

SEGMENTATION

By Product Analysis

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Linear Bearings Expected to Hold Major Share Owing to Rising Demand in Various Industries

Based on product, the market is classified into bearings, linear guides & tables, actuator, ball screws, linear motors and drives, and others.

Linear bearings segment is anticipated to hold the highest share during the forecast period owing to its surging demand across manufacturing industries. For instance, machines that are used in defense, robotics, robotic surgery devices, positioners, CT scanners, and among others need an accurate operation. Linear bearings play an important role in different applications, which depends on the type of operations. This has led to increased bearing production to cater to a range of requirements across various industrial sectors.

The linear actuators segment is projected to have the largest share. The rise can be credited to the rising product demand for several applications such as computer peripherals, industrial machinery, valves, and many other places where linear motion is essential. Moreover, linear actuators are one of the most demanding products in terms of production as it is a critical component in robotics and is expected to significantly advance the automated technology in the coming years.

Furthermore, the ball screws segment is predicted to show major growth in coming years. It is widely used in various industries such as automobile & engineering and processing for fixing into the internal parts of machines for smooth functioning, thereby enhancing the market growth.

By Application Analysis

Machining Tools Segment to Grow Significantly Due to Rising Demand in Automation Processes

Based on application, the market is divided into medical and pharmaceuticals, semiconductor & electronics, aerospace, food & beverages, machining tools, automotive & others (paper & pulp).

Machining tools segment is expected to grow exponentially in the forecast period due to the growth in the production of CNC Machines for grinding, boring, and lathe machines. The growing need for lathe systems from the automotive sector is expected to drive the revenue for motion products. Lathes have numerous applications in the automotive industry including gearboxes, camshafts, CV joints, and crankshafts.

Semiconductor & electronics segment is expected to exhibit substantial growth over the forthcoming years. This is due to rising investment in the semiconductor industry across Asian countries. This surges the product demand for wafer fabrication, wafer assembly, wafer transport, semiconductor testing equipment, and other complex manufacturing processes.

Automotive segment is also anticipated to account for a significant share due to the increasing production of electric passenger vehicles and cars. This has generated the need for linear bearings, actuators, linear guides for producing a better and cheaper product in less time span.

Aerospace and medical and pharmaceuticals segments are expected to grow considerably in the forecast period due to increasing number of industrial processes that are implementing self-control and positioning tactics.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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Based on region, the market is segmented into five major regions, North America, the Middle East & Africa, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

Asia Pacific currently holds the largest share and is expected to expand at the fastest rate throughout the forecast period. This is being driven by the increasing demand from various applications, including aerospace, automotive, and machining tools. Also, rising requirement for high productivity, increased efficiency, and accuracy & precision is expected to result in increased penetration of linear motion technology.

Specifically, in India, automation is being used at many industrial manufacturing levels across all sectors. Moreover, the robust growth in the manufacturing industry is expected to continue to transform in the coming years, witnessing a shift from manual assistance to automation, thus enhancing the demand. Besides, promising government policies in the manufacturing industry and increased focus on economic diversification in emerging countries are the two main growth propellers driving industrial automation.

Following Asia Pacific, the North America market is expected to exhibit substantial growth in the coming years. The strong presence of prominent global manufacturers in the region is aiding the growth of the market. Additionally, the rising efforts of these companies regarding technological developments through strong investments in research and development operations, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, collaborations, and joint ventures are identified as pivotal factors boosting the development potential of the North America market.

The Europe market is projected to have fair growth with a noteworthy upsurge in the second half of the forecast period. Companies are majorly focusing on business expansion across various countries as the manufacturing and automotive sectors are major sources of revenue generation in the region.

The Middle East & Africa region is predicted to have steady growth during the forecast period.

The GCC holds the highest linear motion products market share in the Middle East and Africa region, owing to the heavy application of automation and modernized techniques in manufacturing and warehouse management systems in developed Gulf countries.

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South America is likely to grow at a modest rate due to niche opportunities for the development of manufacturing industries However, the limited presence of linear motion products players and underdeveloped distribution channels for the market are responsible for the sluggish growth of the industry in South America.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Manufacturers are Focusing on Standard Operational Efficiency with Precision & Accuracy to Strengthen Market Position

The market is identified as highly competitive with the presence of multiple linear motion products players operating at a global level as well as certain regions. These players also own joint manufacturing investments and distribution channels that are expanded to many countries. The robust R&D infrastructure of these companies empowers them to develop and unveil modern products with high world standards in terms of operational efficiency and the level of accuracy and precision.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• UMBRAGROUP (Italy)


• NSK Ltd. (Japan)


• Moog Inc. (U.S.)


• Korta (Spain)


• August Steinmeyer GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)


• SHUTON (Spain)


• Curtiss-Wright (U.S.)


• TSUBAKI NAKASHIMA CO., LTD (Japan)


• KURODA Precision Industries (Japan)


• THK CO., LTD. (Japan)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• March 2021 - Hiwin Corporation launched a new 2D/3D drawing download function for thin-type crossed roller bearings.


• January 2022 - NSK acquired Alliance Bearing Repair and Reclaim, LLC to expand its owned bearing services capabilities in the Americas.


• August 2021 - Timken acquired Intelligent Machine Solutions, an industrial automation and robotics solutions manufacturer. The company broadened and strengthened its Rollon linear motion products series with this acquisition.


• February 2021 - Thomson Industries rolled out Electrak LL electric linear actuator. Equipped to function in extremely harsh conditions, the solution would provide superior environmental protection.


• June 2022 - NTN developed Talking Bearing, a sensor-integrated bearing, which incorporates power generation units, sensors, and wireless devices into the bearing and wirelessly transmits information on vibration, temperature, and rotational speed.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Linear Motion Products Market

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The research report provides a detailed analysis of the type and applications of the product. It provides information about leading companies, their business overview, and the leading applications of their products. Besides, it offers insights into the competitive landscape, SWOT analysis, current linear motion products market trends, and highlights the key drivers and restraints. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the market growth in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation