Omron 2009 Annual Report Download - page 35

33
Yoshinobu Morishita
Senior Managing Officer
Company President,
Industrial Automation Company
What’s New
Business Strategy and Outlook for Fiscal 2009
Fortify the business base of general-purpose compo-
nents for future growth
We forecast a decline of 26.6% year on year to ¥193.0 bil-
lion in net sales and a decrease of 75.6% to ¥5.0 billion in
operating income in fiscal 2009.
Inventory adjustments in the manufacturing sector are
progressing and some economic indicators are pointing to
improving business conditions. Nevertheless, it remains
to be seen uncertain when a full-fledged recovery will start.
We anticipate equipment investment to be restrained for
some time even after business conditions hit bottom, and
forecast IAB sales falling 42.9% in the first half and 1.9%
in the second half in fiscal 2009.
In line with the Company’s sweeping restructuring (see
page 15 for details), IAB plans to reorganize its production
structure and deepen coordination with ECB* to enhance
operating efficiency.
In Japan, the Company will strengthen its marketing
abilities for general-purpose components, which are one
of its leading product lines, by reassigning sales staff from
AEC and other internal companies. IAB will also seek to
raise general-purpose component sales from the current
low levels by providing comprehensive service support
and intensifying usage of its various sales channels.
IAB is also aggressively developing quality, safety, and
environmental solutions for the photovoltaic and recharge-
able battery sector, next-generation equipment sector, and
other growth industries where we anticipate steady invest-
ment going forward. Overseas, IAB will revise its
production and development operating structures in China
to enhance its cost competitiveness and will develop the
emerging markets in Russia, Brazil, and South Africa.
Automatic Optical Inspection Device
Omron’s automatic optical inspection (AOI)
devices provide high-precision inspection of sub-
strates used in backbone equipment for automo-
tive electronic components, mobile phones, and
other equipment. AOI devices are also solutions
for the prevention of flaw rep-
etition and improved manu-
facturing quality for a digital
society.
Micro PLCs
Omron realized dramatic cost savings for its
micro programmable logic controllers by conduct-
ing a cost review of each individual component.
Our micro PLCs signif-
icantly simplify pro-
gramming and wiring
systems.
Improving photovoltaic cell production
quality and productivity rates
The rapid expansion of the photovoltaic cell market is increasing the need for high-
ly efficient, high-quality production methods. Cells used in solar-powered batteries
are extremely thin, just 0.2 mm thick, and are easily chipped and cracked during the
manufacturing process. Flawed cells in a solar-powered panel are a common cause
of defective products, and manufacturers are introducing inspection systems to
test for defects.
The inspection systems that are currently used present several problems. For
example, they become unstable if the cell shape or size changes or if the flow or
positioning of the cells is inconsistent. In addition, the complexity involved in setting
and adjusting the systems means that getting them up and running requires a
significant amount of time.
IAB analyzed every aspect of the photovoltaic cell manufacturing process and
developed a profile tracking and defect inspection software program that automat-
ically identifies cell shapes, sizes, and positioning. The system incorporates the
Company’s leading image processing technology, which allows the image settings
to be focused and brightened
digitally. The result is a straight-
forward inspection system
that is stable and reliable and
does not require extensive
training or experience.
Cell defect inspection software for the photo-
voltaic cell industry using vision sensors
Safety Products
Safety sensors are key to creating a safe working
environment at manufactur-
ing sites. These sensors
ensure that doors and gates
on equipment and at facili-
ties are closed when a
person tries to enter a
danger zone.
* As of September 21, ECB’s name will be changed to EMC
(Electronic and Mechanical Components Business Company).