INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
BCC's goal in conducting this study was to determine the current status of the ultrasonic business in the United
States. The study's primary goal is to give readers a clear understanding of where the various markets for ultrasonic equipment currently stand and
where they are heading. Detailed market forecasts are presented and important economic trends are analyzed. The developments in ultrasound technology
have been reviewed and the potential for new developments has been identified. Knowledge of both the market and technological trends that are shaping
the ultrasonics market will help companies to prepare for future developments in this business.
REASONS FOR THE STUDY
Ultrasonics is a
unique technology and new applications for this technology continue to emerge. It is a fundamental phenomenon related to the properties of materials
and conversion of energy from one form to another. As such, the uses of the energy are limitless but its potential will depend on the innovations that
take place in the future.
Many changes are taking place in this technology and its markets. New materials and new ideas for use of ultrasonic
technology continue to evolve. The ultrasonic equipment manufacturers and end users of that equipment will benefit from a comprehensive understanding
of these changes. This study attempts to identify the major industry movements and trends. Its purpose is to serve as a guide for suppliers,
manufacturers, and users of ultrasonic technology. Readers of this study will not only understand where the industry is now, but also where it is
heading. There have been significant developments over the past decade that need to be taken into account by the market participants in order to shape
their competitive strategies.
This study is one of the few reports to examine the entire range of ultrasonic applications. While other research
reports may have studied individual segments of the ultrasonic market, this report gives readers the opportunity to take a unique view of the leading
applications of the ultrasonic technology.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY
Different sectors of the ultrasonic industry will find this report
beneficial in different ways. Manufacturers and suppliers of ultrasonic equipment will be able to identify those areas of the industry that are
stagnant and those areas that are likely to experience strong growth. They will also be able to take advantage of new opportunities and new
technologies identified in the report and alter their research, development and marketing strategies accordingly.
End users will understand how
ultrasonic technology works and how the equipment is put together, since the technical fundamentals behind leading applications are discussed. The
manufacturers and suppliers of ultrasonic equipment have been identified and end users can work with these companies to broaden the usefulness of the
ultrasonic technology. The awareness of the technological trends will prepare end users for future applications.
Other individuals will also find
this report valuable. Scientists and engineers, researchers and academia will gain an overview of ultrasonics and, potentially, may devise new ways to
apply this technology. Entrepreneurs will be able to identify areas for starting new businesses. Venture capitalists will be able to make informed
decisions about where to direct investments or fund development.
SCOPE AND FORMAT
This report covers a wide range of applications for
ultrasonic technology. The main market segments detailed in this report are:
- ultrasonic transducers
- high power industrial ultrasonics
- low power industrial ultrasonics
- medical ultrasonics.
Included within the high power ultrasonics segment are ultrasonic assembly (welding and joining), ultrasonic machining, sonochemistry, and
other industrial uses. Low power ultrasonics encompasses nondestructive testing, flow meters and control devices, leak and emission detectors, and air
sensing and control devices. Medical ultrasonics is a very competitive field with many new applications being conceived. A separate chapter is devoted
to this particular application. A detailed analysis of the market size, growth prospects, and market shares is presented for each segment of the
ultrasonic industry.
METHODOLOGY
A careful methodology was followed to generate all the forecasts contained in this report. The methodology
employed both secondary sources of information and primary interviews with a number of industry participants to arrive at market forecasts. Almost all
the companies based in the United States were contacted to strengthen the validity of the gathered data.
To arrive at current market sizes, sales
figures for all equipment manufacturers within a market segment were gathered and analyzed. This data was then used to estimate current market shares
for all companies.
Sales forecasts for each market segment were generated by analyzing the growth of underlying industries that constitute demand
for each technique. A variety of industry and government data was used to forecast growth in each end user sector through 2008. All projections in the
report use current dollars. A sustained U.S. economic recovery to year 2008 is assumed, with a quick resolution of geo-political issues in early 2003.
INFORMATION
SOURCES
A variety of information sources were used to compile this study. Some of the main sources include:
- BCC surveyed more than 100 companies in the ultrasonic industry to obtain data and comments for this report. Among the companies contacted were
the manufacturers of piezoelectric materials, transducers and ultrasonic equipment for different applications.
- Product literature, technical reports, and research papers from companies, universities, research institutes, ultrasonic industry associations
and government agencies.
- Various press reports on individual companies, technologies, and trends.
- Government publications including U.S. Industrial Outlook and other Department of Commerce studies.
- Publicly available company data from Dun & Bradstreet, the Thomas Register, and Ward's Business Directory.
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