High quality ushers in new heights—STEP leads the rise of China’s domestically produced robots as a “hardcore” force.
2022-12-19
From December 14 to 16, the 2022 High-Tech Robot Annual Conference and Golden Globe Awards Ceremony, themed “A World in Great Transformation, China Enters a New Era,” was held with great success in Shenzhen. Mr. Zhou Guangxing, Deputy General Manager of STEP and General Manager of the Robotics Division Invited to deliver a keynote speech titled “High Quality Fuels New Heights” at the new-energy special session sponsored by STEP, I outlined STEP journey in driving the development of domestically produced robots through R&D innovation—from multiple perspectives including building core competitiveness, developing product portfolios, and expanding industry applications. Meanwhile, STEP has been awarded the “2022 Leading Enterprise” prize in the industrial robotics industry.
Driven by independent R&D, leading with quality manufacturing.
As a “specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative” enterprise, STEP focuses on the robotics sector and, driven by R&D, has among the earliest in China to achieve full industrial-chain coverage—from core components and robot bodies to comprehensive solutions.
Against the backdrop of the entire industry continuously striving to enhance the overall performance of robots, STEP has firmly grasped the breakthrough direction of advanced dynamics algorithms, thereby establishing a robust competitive moat that ensures long-term product leadership and customer recognition. By leveraging technologies such as trajectory planning, vibration suppression, and path feedforward, robot speeds have increased by 10% to 30%, and acceleration and deceleration have become smoother, extending the service life of components like gearboxes and motors.
In the manufacturing of robotic products, STEPeng adheres to its own philosophy of continuous innovation, relentless pursuit of excellence, and industry leadership. STEP internationally leading robotic super-factory boasts an annual production and delivery capacity of 10,000 units. Moreover, more than 20 type tests are conducted throughout the entire product lifecycle, ensuring that every performance metric of our products has been rigorously validated in the laboratory. For instance, when handling lithium-ion battery cells, a flexible anti-collision test under load can prevent potential collisions and compressions between the cells and peripheral equipment, thereby avoiding wear and damage.
Continuously developing high-quality products has also enabled STEP Robot to play a pivotal role in the industrial chain. This year, STEP is taking the lead as the first-round chain leader, joining forces with 12 key enterprises from the upstream and downstream sectors of the robotics industry across the three provinces and one municipality in the Yangtze River Delta to jointly develop “Made in the Entire Yangtze River Delta” robots. The first batch of robots has now rolled off the production line, which will help expand the application of domestically produced robots in digital and intelligent transformation, thereby enhancing the resilience and security of the industrial and supply chains.
Empower product innovation and create value through deep immersion in specific scenarios.
STEP remains committed to driving value through innovation. In 2022, to meet the demands of diverse application scenarios, it successively launched several new robotic products.
We’ve comprehensively upgraded and expanded our SCARA product family, introducing 20 new models with arm lengths ranging from 350mm to 1,200mm, a maximum payload of 20kg, and an IP65 protection rating. A new side-mount installation option has been added, offering greater flexibility in installation. These new models further enrich the entire STEP SCARA product lineup, providing more efficient and cost-effective robotic solutions for intelligent manufacturing across all scenarios and processes in the lithium battery industry.
Welding robots are also a key product line that STEP is focusing on enhancing. The upcoming SA6/2000H, soon to be officially launched, is equipped with a brand-new advanced dynamics algorithm, offering a repeat accuracy of less than ±0.05 mm and a 20% improvement in cycle time. The welding function package has been further upgraded, significantly boosting the efficiency of arc initiation during flying operations. The development of this model has carefully taken into account the application needs of the automotive parts industry; prototype units have already been delivered to several automotive parts manufacturers for testing and evaluation.
As of now, STEP robot product lineup includes more than 10 models, with payloads ranging from 3 kg to 600 kg and over 60 different model types, forming a comprehensive product portfolio. At the same time, we are vigorously developing customized software packages and simplifying programming procedures, thereby opening up vast application possibilities in scenarios such as welding, palletizing, loading and unloading, sorting, inspection, and assembly.
Focus on niche industries and provide precise customer service.
Xin Shida complies with Robot complete machine + process a strategy tailored for the target industry High precision, high reliability, high efficiency, high intelligence, high integration Robotics solutions that deliver value to customers and the industry.
3C electronics
STEP subsidiary, Zhongweixing SCARA, is deeply engaged in the 3C electronics sector and collaborates with numerous customers—including Foxconn—to serve global manufacturing. Currently, STEP is focusing on tapping into the potential of the existing 3C market by offering innovative robotic solutions that meet customers’ evolving needs and process requirements.
Lithium battery
STEP integrates robotics technology with lithium-battery manufacturing technology, significantly enhancing the efficiency and product quality of processes including lithium-battery electrode sheet fabrication, cell assembly, chemical composition and capacity testing, and module & PACK line operations, thereby driving technological upgrades and transformations in lithium-battery manufacturers. Currently, STEP full range of multi-joint robots and SCARA products, along with its comprehensive lithium-battery solutions for various scenarios, can be applied to processes such as sorting, glue dispensing, film removal, material handling, and inspection.
Recently, STEP has partnered with a well-known domestic lithium-ion battery manufacturer and secured an order for over 500 heavy-duty 50-kg SCARA robots. This marks another solid step forward in STEP’s market expansion within the lithium-ion battery industry.
Tire
Together with our partner Shanghai Gude, we are swiftly responding to the rubber tire industry’s emerging needs in applications such as handling, loading and unloading, and laser marking. We offer a comprehensive smart manufacturing solution—from robots and standard equipment to application software and customized feature development. Currently, our services cater to tire manufacturers including Zhongce Rubber, Linglong Tire, and Sailun Tire.
Welding applications
STEP has always adhered to the belief that “the key to success for domestic brands lies in niche markets.” In the welding field, STEP has deeply cultivated industries such as power transmission towers, architectural steel structures, all-terrain vehicles, and construction machinery. Taking power transmission towers as an example, STEP has innovatively adopted parametric programming and laser-guided welding technology to develop an intelligent robotic workstation for tower base welding.
In the future, STEP Da is willing to work together with channel partners and system integrators to jointly build an ecosystem for robotics and intelligent manufacturing. Focusing on niche markets, we will leverage high-quality products, comprehensive and in-depth technologies, and timely, attentive services to collectively establish differentiated competitive advantages for Chinese robotics brands and seize greater market development opportunities.
Contact Us
Email:
market@stepelectric.com
Address:
No. 1560, Siyi Road, Jiading District, Shanghai Municipality