China's mechanical infrastructure industry presents several major weaknesses
China's understanding of the importance of mechanical components in the machinery industry has been relatively late, leading to a long-term lack of investment and a weak industrial foundation. As the performance of host machines in China has improved, the lagging development of mechanical components has become increasingly evident, creating bottlenecks that hinder overall system performance. In recent years, although the government has provided some support in areas like technology introduction, equipment upgrades, and R&D, there is still a significant gap compared to market demand and international standards. This is reflected in unstable quality, high early failure rates, and poor reliability of basic components.
Currently, China’s mechanical base products suffer from limited variety and specifications, especially in high-end segments, failing to meet the growing needs of host machines. The performance of key components is roughly equivalent to foreign standards from the 1980s. Unstable quality, early failures, and low reliability are major weaknesses that have led many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to prefer importing components. As a result, domestic basic parts—especially those with lower technological content—have seen their market share decline. While China has advantages in exporting labor-intensive, low-value products, these items lack high added value and technological sophistication.
At present, the Chinese mechanical base parts industry faces several critical issues. First, there is serious overcapacity and low specialization, resulting in small-scale operations and poor economic efficiency. Many enterprises were established during periods of rapid economic growth, but they often operate at low levels, with limited scale and outdated equipment. For example, the total annual bearing capacity of three major Chinese bearing companies is less than 50% of that of a single foreign company. Similarly, while nearly 100 hydraulic component plants have been built in China, only a few produce more than 300,000 units annually. In contrast, German company Rexroth produces 1.3 million hydraulic parts yearly, and Japan’s Yau Institute produces over 600,000. Per capita output in China’s mold industry is significantly lower than that in developed countries.
Second, research and development capabilities are weak, with insufficient investment and slow technological progress. Although China introduced advanced foreign technologies in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it lacked adequate resources for full absorption and adaptation. According to international experience, the ratio of technology import to digestion and absorption should be about 1:7, but China was slow to recognize this. Foreign companies invest heavily in R&D, typically 4–5% of sales, with up to 10% in key areas. Despite strong theoretical research in Chinese universities, there is a gap between academic achievements and practical application.
Third, the backwardness of raw materials and related technologies limits the development of basic components. Poor-quality steel used in fasteners, bearings, and molds affects product performance, while outdated hydraulic and electronic control technologies reduce the reliability of hydraulic parts. These components require high-precision manufacturing, which demands advanced equipment and efficient production lines. However, many Chinese companies face financial constraints, limiting their ability to upgrade facilities and maintain consistent quality.
In summary, the main causes of these challenges include weak corporate foundations and insufficient policy support. With a weak industrial base and limited R&D investment, China’s mechanical components struggle to keep pace with the rapid development of the host industry. Government policies, while recognizing the importance of key components like molds and bearings, lack concrete measures to support the sector effectively.
To enhance the competitiveness of China’s mechanical base parts and better meet the needs of its machinery industry, the sector must undergo further restructuring. This includes consolidating resources, eliminating inefficient enterprises, and focusing on brand development, technological innovation, and improved management. Over the next five to ten years, the industry aims to make significant progress in building strong domestic brands and strengthening both domestic and international market presence.
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