Taiwan Excellence Awards Announced: Machine Tool Sector Drives Innovation and Green Trends

James Huang, Chairman of TAITRA, emphasized: "The most unique aspect of the Taiwan Excellence Awards is that the ceremony is not the end, but the beginning of international marketing!" (Photo by Chen Huan-yu)

Taiwan Excellence Gold and Silver Awards Unveiled: Machine Tools Lead Innovation and Sustainability Trends

While domestic and international industries have gradually accepted the "new normal" of post-pandemic economic development, it was not until Taiwan lifted its border restrictions in October 2022 that the atmosphere of normal international business activities truly returned. Coinciding with this reopening, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced the latest winners of the Taiwan Excellence Awards. Nearly 30 member companies of the Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders’ Association (TMBA) made the list, with six companies securing the prestigious Gold and Silver Awards. These winners will join the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) in 2023 for overseas promotions to maximize the brand value of "Made in Taiwan" (M.I.T.).

According to the list revealed by the Bureau of Foreign Trade and TAITRA, 1,109 products from 547 companies were submitted, with 348 products from 186 companies selected. Beyond the core value of "innovation," 30 products advanced to compete for Gold and Silver honors under the scrutiny of international judges, highlighting the competitive blueprint of Taiwanese industry.

TAITRA Chairman James Huang remarked that the Taiwan Excellence Awards have spent 31 years transforming the industry’s image toward quality and innovation. He emphasized: "The award ceremony is not the end, but the beginning of international marketing!"

Leading the Charge in Smart Manufacturing and ESG

On the day of the ceremony, Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua personally announced the winners. Yung Juinn (Honor Seiki) and Hiwin Mikrosystem were awarded Gold, while HIWIN Technologies, CHMER EDM, Gifu Enterprise, and Camtic received Silver. These award-winning products emphasize innovation and sustainability, providing solutions for post-pandemic business models.

To meet the demand for "contactless economy" and digital transformation, Taiwanese manufacturers are integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), and Big Data. These technologies lower technical barriers and labor costs while meeting the high-precision needs of the aerospace and semiconductor industries, simultaneously fulfilling ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.

HIWIN Group: A Legacy of Excellence

Growing alongside the Taiwan Excellence Awards, the HIWIN Group has secured 36 Gold and Silver awards between 1993 and 2023. This year, the awards were accepted by the next generation of leadership: Chairman Wendy Cho of HIWIN Technologies and Chairman Sherry Cho of Hiwin Mikrosystem.

• Hiwin Mikrosystem (Gold Award): Its "N2 Nano-Positioning Stage" targets semiconductor inspection. It utilizes a high-rigidity symmetric structure and vibration-damping materials to achieve a position stability of ±2nm, showcasing high integration of mechanical, electrical, and software capabilities.

• HIWIN Technologies (Silver Award): The mass-produced "Submersible High-Speed Rotary Table" uses aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, reducing weight by 60%. It features an IP68 rating, allowing it to operate continuously in liquid at 1,500 rpm—a world-first that increases processing efficiency by over 10 times.

At this year’s ceremony, the HIWIN Group was represented by its next-generation leaders: Chuo Wen-heng, Chairman of HIWIN Technologies (second from left), and Sherry Chuo, Chairwoman of Hiwin Mikrosystem (third from left), who attended in person to accept the awards. (Photo: HIWIN Group)

CHMER EDM: Mastering Energy Efficiency

A long-term high achiever, CHMER won a Silver Award for its "DX655C High-Speed Intelligent Die Sinking EDM." Featuring a self-developed controller and a conversational interface, the machine simplifies complex operations. Its patented energy-saving power unit reduces electricity consumption by 40% compared to traditional models, meeting the requirements of green, intelligent manufacturing for the automotive and aerospace sectors.

CHMER EDM won the Silver Award for its independently developed "DX655C High-Speed Intelligent Die Sinking EDM." (Photo source: HIWIN Group)

Honor Seiki: Breaking New Ground in Aerospace (Gold Award)

Winning its first Gold Award, Honor Seiki developed the "VL-100CA Intelligent CNC Vertical Lathe" to process aerospace engines (such as the LEAP engine). By sending a technical team to the client's site for a week, Honor Seiki optimized the entire process for difficult-to-cut materials like titanium and nickel alloys.

• The system uses a 350bar high-pressure coolant system to solve chip-breaking issues and an automated tool changer that reduces tool-changing time by 25%. Its performance rivals European counterparts and has been adopted by Tier 1 French aerospace suppliers.

Leveraging nearly 40 years of R&D and machining expertise, Honor Seiki developed the aerospace-grade "VL-100CA Intelligent CNC Vertical Lathe" for high-efficiency processing of LEAP fuel-saving engine components, earning the 31st Taiwan Excellence Gold Award. (Photo by Chen Huan-yu)

Camtic: Accelerating Digital Transformation

Camtic received a Silver Award for its "NU 630 5-Axis Machining Center." By combining a swiveling head with a rotary table, it allows for simultaneous 3-axis and 5-axis work on the same platform.

• The machine features an intelligent thermal compensation system that achieves high precision (5-8μm) at only 20-25% of the cost of optical scales. It also includes "Financial OEE" functions to help customers monitor factory efficiency and financial utilization.

After analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of 5-axis machines in the market, Camtic strengthened its product development to create the NU 630 5-Axis Machining Center, which earned the Silver Award this year. (Photo by Chen Huan-yu)

Gifu Enterprise: Smart Tool Magazines for Customization

A professional tool magazine manufacturer, Gifu won a Silver Award for its "Intelligent Advanced Chain-Type Tool Magazine." Key innovations include:

1. Modular Design: Expands tool storage capacity by 100% while reducing procurement costs by 6%.

2. Efficiency: An automated tool-loading device saves 70% of loading time.

3. Sustainability: An automatic rotating air-wash device protects the spindle and increases cleaning efficiency by 85%. The magazine also features IoT visualization, allowing users to monitor tool status in real-time via mobile devices, aligning with the trends of the circular economy.

Gifu Enterprise’s flagship product this year, the Silver Award-winning "Intelligent Advanced Chain-Type Tool Magazine," features multiple patented designs that allow for real-time monitoring of machine status, fulfilling ESG trends in circular economy and sustainable development. (Photo by Chen Huan-yu)

Taiwan’s machine tool and key component manufacturers continue to strive for excellence in meeting the demands of high-precision sectors such as aerospace and semiconductors. By enhancing production efficiency and accuracy, they simultaneously fulfill ESG goals for energy saving, carbon reduction, and corporate and social sustainability. (Photo by Chen Huan-yu)