激光设备行业：焊接技术迭代升级，智能焊接应用空间广阔

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Buy" [2] Core Insights - The welding technology is continuously upgrading, with intelligent welding robots entering non-standard application scenarios, significantly reducing reliance on manual teaching and promoting the overall upgrade of the intelligent manufacturing system [5][19] - The shortage of welders is driving the demand for alternatives, with a potential market space for intelligent welding robots estimated at 1.4 million units due to a welder shortage of approximately 3.49 million in China [5][31] - The cost recovery period for intelligent welding robots is short, with potential savings of up to 27 million yuan over ten years, depending on the replacement efficiency [5][39] - The demand for non-standard welding applications is urgent, particularly in the steel structure and shipbuilding sectors, with significant market penetration expected [5][42] Summary by Sections 1. Welding Technology Upgrades - Welding technology is a cornerstone of modern industry, widely used in automotive, aerospace, construction, and energy sectors [13] - Intelligent welding robots are becoming increasingly mature, integrating advanced technologies such as AI and sensors for real-time seam recognition and path optimization [19][22] 2. Welder Shortage and Market Potential - The shortage of welders is exacerbated, with a projected gap of 400,000 skilled welders by 2024, leading to a significant market opportunity for intelligent welding robots [31][32] - Government policies are promoting the widespread application of intelligent welding technology, creating a stable environment for industry growth [32][33] 3. Economic Advantages of Intelligent Welding Robots - The global welding robot market is expected to grow steadily, with sales projected to increase from 64,200 units in 2016 to 102,000 units by 2024 [36] - Intelligent welding robots demonstrate significant economic benefits, with potential cost savings and efficiency improvements over traditional manual welding [37][39] 4. Non-Standard Welding Market Applications - The steel structure industry is transitioning towards high-end manufacturing, with a projected demand for 12,200 intelligent welding robots by 2025 [43][44] - The shipbuilding industry is experiencing strong growth, with intelligent welding robots expected to meet the challenges of complex seam structures and small-batch production [45][46] 5. Industry Chain and Key Companies - The intelligent welding robot industry chain includes upstream component suppliers, midstream system integrators, and downstream industry applications, with key players like Baichu Electronics and Gongbu Intelligent Manufacturing leading the market [57]