On February 21, 2023, the Action Plan for the Development of Intelligent Testing Equipment (2023-2025) (hereinafter referred to as “the Action Plan”) was issued by seven national ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and the State Administration of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND).
The four-chapter Action Plan specifies the general requirements, tasks, key projects and supportive measures. It defines intelligent testing equipment as a “core appliance” for intelligent manufacturing, and a critical measure to stabilize production operations, guarantee product quality, improve manufacturing efficiency and ensure service safety.
The Action Plan is a supportive document for China’s 14th Five-Year Plan for Intelligent Development (jointly issued by several national ministries on December 21, 2021). Key contents include:
Principles:
Let enterprises play the dominant role in technological innovation and vast application; join forces of governmental projects and support, cross-sector cooperation (finance, science and technology, trade etc.) to achieve a coordinated development for the full industrial chain.
Tasks:
By 2025, more than 50 kinds of intelligent testing equipment, component and software are of top global level; foster a group of sample factories or application scenarios to further implement such equipment in key sectors (machinery, automotive, electric and electronics etc.)
Key projects:
· To accelerate domestic technological breakthroughs, positively track advanced development trends in domestic and global regions, and enhance the integration of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, big data and cloud computing.
· Research and develop equipment to meet the needs of specific sectors covering machinery, automotive, digital information etc.
· For the machinery sector, focused technologies and equipment that require breakthroughs in the following aspects: three-dimensional spatial laser measurement, online measurement of parts accuracy and dimensions, assembly load measurement and adjustment, multi-dimensional force inspection in assembly debugging, heavy-loading balance measurement, appearance defect intelligent detecting, hot working process and parts performance detection, machine tool space error compensation measurement, synchronous machining quality measurement etc.
· Vastly promote equipment demonstration and application: for the machinery sector, equipment will be applied in fields mainly including advanced manufacturing process online testing and efficient operation, high-end CNC machine tools, pressure vessels, compressors, pump valves, seals and other general machinery, as well as bearing, gear, hydraulic parts and other key parts of precision machining, assembly, commissioning, finished product inspection and other links of intelligent testing.
Supportive measures:
Reinforce international cooperation on technology, talent etc.; encourage overseas enterprises to establish relevant R&D and training centers, as well as manufacturing factories etc.
Manufacturers that have relevant businesses are advised to pursue possible market opportunities (policy, financial and other supports). Meanwhile, the emphasis on local technological breakthroughs may initiate more competition in the China and global market when some Chinese enterprises achieve fast development.