Animatics: New European operations, expansion program

By Control Engineering Staff January 26, 2006

As part of its worldwide expansion efforts, California-based Animatics Corp. recently announced formation of Animatics GmbH, with offices in Memmingen, Germany. Animatics is best known for its SmartTechnology products, including patented SmartMotor and ServoStep, which offer high-tech motion systems in small, high-density packages made up of a servo motor with complete closed-loop control, drive, and built-in encoder. The company says SmartTechnology can replace (outdated) conventional servo and step motor systems with their mass of related controls, cabinets, and cables.

The new German facility will assemble and market SmartTechnology products to European customers. “This is the first of a number of new business units being created for the continued global positioning of Animatics,“ explains Robert Bigler, CEO. “We are now moving ahead with a multi-year program that will establish our own entities in the major industrial markets of the world.”

Founded in 1987, Animatics started as a CNC machine builder, a business that continues today. With two sophisticated PC-level CNC software packages, SmartMotor operates laser, plasma, torch, and water-jet cutting machines. “Animatics SmartTechnology allows manufacturers to use our engineering systems designs, products, and software to make products that can be manufactured in the U.S. or European facilities at prices competitive with offshore, low-cost labor markets, such as China,” adds Bigler.

Frank J. Bartos, executive editor, Control Engineering fbartos@reedbusiness.com