The year 2023 has been a challenging year for the global semiconductor and electronics manufacturing industry. While the perceived recovery after the global pandemic has been rocky, geopolitical issues, economic slowdowns, and weakened demand from the consumer segment further exacerbated the market.

Nevertheless, technology developments continue, driven by new applications in artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML), automotive electronics—particularly electric vehicles (EVs), and the continuous rollout of 5G infrastructure. The sustainability trend, likewise, is key as most manufacturers, in line with the world’s Net Zero goals, are increasingly developing products enabling higher power efficiencies.

“Bourns has seen the growing trend for electronic components that help developers meet higher efficiency, performance, and standards requirements in ever-smaller footprints,” says Clement Shu, Vice President, Asia Sales, at Bourns Inc. “Applications driving growth in most sectors are increasingly reliant on efficient and safe power management. Recognizing this pivotal need, Bourns not only maintained its leadership in the realm of miniaturization but also spearheaded significant advancements in power conversion and protection capabilities.”

According to Shu, the year 2023 witnessed a symbiotic relationship between Bourns and the industry’s pursuit of enhanced efficiency.

“A testament to our dedication to delivering solutions that not only meet but exceed the stringent standards prevalent in the modern electronics landscape,” he says. “As applications across various sectors increasingly rely on streamlined power management, Bourns stands as a trailblazer, providing cutting-edge solutions that seamlessly integrate efficiency, performance, and safety in response to the evolving needs of our customers.”

Bourns is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of electronic components for power, protection, and sensing solutions. Shu says key applications that drove market growth include heavy-duty applications requiring long cycle life and high reliability and medical high-precision applications.

Since the beginning of 2023, the company has successfully navigated through these market challenges and is currently in a high-inventory situation both with end-customers and channel partners.

“The company’s strategic approach has been geared towards adaptability and resilience, ensuring a robust response to potential disruptions. Proactive measures, including diversifying supply chains and fostering collaborative relationships with suppliers, have contributed to Bourns’ ability to effectively address fluctuations in component availability,” says Shu. “It’s important to highlight that Bourns’ efforts have proven effective in overcoming challenges, and the company is well-positioned with ample inventory to meet the needs of both end-customers and channel partners. This successful navigation underscores Bourns’ commitment to providing reliable solutions to our customers in a dynamic and ever-changing market environment.

Award-winning sensors

At the recent EE Awards Asia 2023, Bourns received a Best Sensor Award for its HES38U-RS485 hybrid position sensor. Now on its third year, EE Awards Asia celebrates the innovation, creativity, and contributions of Asia’s engineering community that have made a difference in the way we work, live, and communicate over the past year.

“Bourns Model HES38U-RS485 hybrid position sensor is designed for an expanding group of applications that must meet long cycle life and high reliability specifications in harsh environments,” explains Shu. “It offers an industry-leading rotational life of up to 5 million shaft revolutions with 10 turns of absolute position. Its unique advantage is that it is based on a combination of magnetic Hall Effect non-contacting technology for the rotational position sensing combined with a long-lasting 10-turn electromechanical sensor for turns-counting.”

Designed for an expanding group of applications that must meet long cycle life and high reliability specifications in harsh environments, Bourns’ Model HES38U-RS485 hybrid position sensor stands out due to its advanced hybrid design, which contributes to superior linearity, resolution, and accuracy. Its rugged construction is specifically engineered to withstand vibration, shock, and resist fluid and dust ingress, providing heightened reliability, especially for heavy-duty applications. Key differentiators for the product include a wider temperature range -40°C to 125°C and single-turn accuracy of ±0.18°.

These features make Bourns’ hybrid position sensor ideal for industrial feedback applications such as patient platform positioning, 3D imaging position, pneumatic control valve position and actuator motor position, as well as for automated manufacturing robotics.

“Bourns is truly honored to receive this prestigious award and the valued recognition it brings to the company. It is particularly gratifying to be selected by AspenCore analysts and by others in their global readership base that would be actual customers for this product,” says Shu. “Bourns HES38U-RS485 Hybrid Position Sensor stands as a testament to Bourns Inc.’s commitment to engineering excellence, offering cutting-edge solutions that continue to revolutionize the sector.

Outlook

Most analysts forecast a recovery for the semiconductor industry in 2024 as excess inventories are said to have already been managed in 2023, and that the memory market recession has already ended.

According to IDC, with the gradual recovery of smartphone demand and the strong demand for AI chips, the semiconductor market is expected to return to a growth trend in 2024, with an annual growth rate above 20%.

“Our outlook for the semiconductor and electronics industry in 2024 is highly optimistic as we focus on driving future growth through continuous innovation and expanding Bourns’ technology and solutions portfolio to meet the expected surge in product demand,” says Shu. “We are committed to being the foremost provider of reliable electronic solutions, with a mission to satisfy our global customer base by delivering cutting-edge application solutions characterized by technologically innovative designs, superior quality, and exceptional value. Our dedication to excellence encompasses the continuous improvement of our people, technologies, systems, products, and services, leading the industry, and upholding the highest level of integrity in all our endeavors.”

Bourns holds a distinctive advantage in the market with its worldwide presence adhering to certified global standards and ethical practices. As an established leader in quality and reliability, the company demonstrates a steadfast commitment to Lean and Six Sigma principles to ensure operational efficiency.

“Our proactive approach involves a keen focus on emerging technologies and market trends, allowing us to stay at the forefront of industry advancements. Offering a comprehensive portfolio of both standard and custom solutions, coupled with our proven applications expertise, we stand as a reliable partner for diverse electronic requirements,” says Shu. “Moreover, our dedication to flawless execution for our customers is underscored by a world-class network of distributors, further enhancing our ability to deliver unparalleled value and service.”

By: DocMemory
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