Executives from leading global motion control companies have launched a new trade association to serve the interests of motors, drives and controls companies. Known as the Motion Control Association (MCA), the new trade group will promote the use of mechanical and electronic (mechatronics) motion control technology, which currently accounts for more than $44 billion in annual sales globally.
"The numerous leading companies assisting with the formation of this new motion control organization envision MCA promoting the use and understanding of motion control technology by becoming a leading resource – and by providing a strong coordinated voice in the motion technology field. Additionally each individual member company will benefit from substantial programs," said John Mazurkiewicz, MCA President and Product Marketing Manager for Baldor Electric.
MCA will be a valuable source for industry statistics; they also plan to develop and coordinate industry standards, provide educational programs, host an executive-level business conference and become the leading resource for motion control technology. Motion Control Online (www.motioncontrolonline.org), a global web resource for the industry, was launched in October 2006. The website provides users of motion control an easy-to-navigate online buyer's guide, articles and technical papers, new product information, user tips, an "ask-the-experts" forum, career center, and bookstore.
MCA is part of the Automation Technologies Council, a trade organization who has already achieved success over 30 years with their Robotic Industries Association and Automated Imaging Association. Together these two associations represent over 500 member companies from all over the world. "There's excellent synergy between robots, machine vision and motion control technologies and it's a natural move to launch this new group under the ATC umbrella. Integration of technologies is critical to improving productivity and we look for MCA to play a key role in creating new business opportunities for suppliers and delivering manufacturing solutions for the user community," said Don Vincent, ATC's Executive Vice President.
MCA's Board of Directors include: Chris Davis, Baumuller; Sandy Holden, Rockwell Automation; Arun Jain, Siemens Energy & Automation; Dan Jones, Incremotion Associates; John Mazurkiewicz, Baldor; Kevin McNicholas, Applied Motion Products; Jason Struthers, Parker Hannifin Corp.; Andy Urda, Yaskawa Electric America and Andrew Vogl, Danaher Motion.
MCA plans to grow the membership and involvement of the industry. Charter members include Applied Motion Products, Baldor Electric, Baumuller, Inc., Danaher Industrial Controls, Danaher Motion, Elmo Motion Control, Exlar Corp., Incremotion Associates, Maxon Precision Motors, Nook Industries Inc., Omron Electronics, Panasonic Electric Works Corp. of America, Parker Hannifin Corp., PILZ Automation Safety L.P., Renco Encoders, Inc., Rockwell Automation, Siemens Energy & Automation, Tol-O-Matic, and Yaskawa Electric America, Inc.
