Many of Slovenia's top technological companies excel in the area which combines mechanical systems, electronics and IT solutions. These companies include diversified groups like Hidria and Kolektor, which develop electric drive and diesel cold engine starts systems, to electromotor manufacturers, production line engineering providers, or makers of components for robotic systems.
The term »mechatronics« was coined in Japan 40 years by no other than engineers of Yaskawa company. The term does not simply signify a combination of mechanical and electronic parts, but rather a whole concept of synergy between mechanical systems, electronics and IT. Yaskawa recently started to build its European robotics hub in the Slovenian town of Kočevje. It is probably not a coincidence - as mechatronics is one of the key strenghts of Slovenian industry.
Mechatronic solutions are essential for some of the nation's top exporting industries, like the automotive industry, household appliances manufacturing and toolmaking with the engineering of automatic production lines. Slovenian companies are among the leaders in the development of highly specialized electromotors and their components. As the car industry is progressively moving towards cleaner drive systems, it is bringing new perspectives for companies like Kolektor and Hidria. Hidria uses mechatronics in one of its key product lines: diesel engine cold start systems. Hidria produces valves, solenoids and other elements for these systems, yet company's R&D is becoming increasingly focused on the development of electrified drive systems.
German group Mahle took over Iskra Avtoelektronika few years ago – they renamed the Slovenian company to Mahle Electric Drives Slovenia and integrated it into group's Mechatronic Division. Domel controls 60 percent of the European market for electromotors used in vacuum cleaners. The Company's key technology centers around brushless and electronically controlled commutator motors. Mechatronic solutions are also a key component of Domel's laboratory equipment program: the production of centrifuges, homogenizers, blenders and similar apparatuses.
Kolektor is a system of over 50 companies – for many of which mechatronics is essential. In fact, Kolektor is becoming increasingly focused on mobility components and other technologies combining mechanical, electronic and IT systems. The Kolektor Sisteh company, for example, engineers and constructs production lines – a typical mechatronic application. Many Slovenian SME's less known in the general public excel the in automation of product lines. Take Metronik for example. The 25 year old company with revenues of around 10 million euros per year has finished over 1,000 projects integrating IT solutions into automatized production lines. Their main customers are pharmaceutical companies. Another example is Rodex Mechatronics which produces injection molds, prefabricated electro mechanical assemblies with solenoid cells and engineers production lines. Inoteh also develops mechatronic components for robotized systems – the company is a part of the Swiss Bibus group. The fast growing RLS company develops sensors for the robotic industry. Quite a few niche leaders in sensor and measurement technology markets come from Slovenia. The best example is Dewesoft – they started as a software company, yet now offer complete measurement solutions including hardware for various industries.
