An interview with Fun Chee Hoe, Field Sales Engineer, Aerotech Inc.
1. How has Aerotech evolved since its founding, and what are some key milestones in its journey?
We had our humble beginnings in a garage. I am proud to say we have grown into a global company at the forefront of precision motion control and automation for industries worldwide. Despite our expansion, we have managed to maintain strong personal connections with our customers while leveraging our extensive team of experts and vast experience to tackle their most significant precision motion and automation challenges.
Since our founding in 1970, we have remained dedicated to solving motion control and automation challenges for the most complex applications in the world’s most demanding industries. Key milestones include launching our AGV laser head product family, which set new industry standards as the world’s first Galvo scanner to achieve micrometerlevel positioning accuracy over large fields of view. In 2020, we introduced the Automation1 motion control platform, simplifying control for complex motion systems.
Our global footprint has also since expanded to include direct representation in over 15 countries, ensuring our precision motion experts are available to support customers from design to delivery, and daily production. Today, our state-of-the-art manufacturing and production facilities, including cleanrooms, application labs, and temperature-controlled metrology labs, are available not only to our team but also to our customers.
2. What sets Aerotech apart from its competitors in the motion control and automation industry?
We are always committed to solving the unique challenges our customers face. Through close collaboration, we enhance their processes, products, and productivity across key sectors like semiconductor, laser, photonics, and medical.
Our product team is also focused on continuously improving our portfolio to meet our customer’s needs and to stay ahead of emerging trends. For instance, our AGV laser head product family stands out with the use of the same controller for both cargo and automation control. This allows us to provide real-time feedback on positioning and eliminate stitching errors, which are common in laser applications.
3. Aerotech is known for its innovation in precision motion control. Can you tell us about some of your latest technological advancements?
We recently introduced an Enhanced Scanning Control (ESC) function on our Automation1 platform, which delivers significantly faster response times and superior control for laser applications. The ESC is an advanced real-time control algorithm that ensures higher accuracy during the most dynamic motion.
In response to industries demanding higher throughput and stricter quality standards for laser processes, our ESC technology addresses the limitations of conventional laser scanning systems and sets a new standard for precision and efficiency. The ESC can enhance throughput by approximately 50%, providing faster stability and response for various laser applications.
4. What are the biggest challenges currently facing the motion control and automation industry, and how is Aerotech addressing them?
The industry faces significant challenges due to the uncompromising demands for geometric precision and dynamic performance. At Aerotech, we tackle these challenges by mitigating factors like vibrations caused by external influences, such as machine structures in office or factory environments.
Our Automation1 motion control system allows us to manage complex motion profiles with high-speed areas, rapid accelerations, multi-axis coordination, and advanced control algorithms. This system supports parallel kinematics, including our serial kinematics solution, Fiber Max, which ensures unparalleled precision and performance.
5. What steps is Aerotech taking to expand its global presence and reach new markets?
We are placing a strong emphasis on growing our presence in the Southeast Asia market. Since 2020, we have established a strategic office in Singapore as part of this effort, complemented by other key Asian offices in China and Taiwan. To further enhance our market penetration efforts, we are also actively forming strategic partnerships and collaborations in Korea and Japan.
6. What are Aerotech’s strategic priorities for the next 5 to 10 years?
Looking forward, we plan to invest significantly in technology and R&D, hoping to drive the growth of automation and motion control solutions across various industries in the APAC region. At the same time, our focus will remain on technology innovation, optimizing processes, and enhancing supply chain resilience.