[Ningbo Daily] Several Technologies Reach Domestic Leading Standards as Zhenhai Enterprises Boldly Explore New Product Frontiers

Reporter Shen Sunhui

Correspondents Zhang Chaoliang and Pan Zhijie, Economic and Information

Ningbo Xiatuo Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., located in Jiulonghu, Zhenhai, has leveraged its domestically leading proprietary technology to develop a new product—the fully automated, intelligent motor shaft inspection machine. This innovative solution now meets all post-production and pre-shipment inspection requirements for two models of motor shafts manufactured by Luotuo Enterprise’s subsidiary, Xiashe Precision. Thanks to this new product, Xiashe Precision has reduced labor costs, alleviated the physical workload of inspection personnel, and achieved significant economic benefits.

According to reports, Xiatuo Intelligent’s “Fully Automated Intelligent Motor Shaft Testing Machine” has been included in the second batch of Ningbo City’s 2023 Industrial New Product Trial Production Program. A total of eight enterprises in Zhenhai have had new product projects selected, five of which employ technical standards that are among the most advanced in China, with some even representing proprietary technologies that fill domestic gaps. These industrial new product trial (and pilot) production projects have received R&D investments exceeding RMB 35 million and are expected to generate an additional output value of RMB 114 million in the year of commissioning.

Adhering to a policy-driven approach, Zhenhai has successively introduced specialized incentive policies for establishing postdoctoral workstations, engineering technology centers, and manufacturing innovation centers, among others, to encourage enterprises to attract high-caliber industrial talent, invest in the development of independent R&D and innovation platforms, and provide comprehensive support for key enterprises—such as “large, excellent, and strong” firms, single-champion enterprises, and specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative “little giants”—to develop new technologies and products. In addition, tailored “one-enterprise-one-policy” support measures have been designed for two manufacturing innovation centers, including the National Graphene Innovation Center, with annual subsidies provided to facilitate the industrialization of enterprises’ innovative products.

Under the guidance of the government, enterprises in Zhenhai have continuously stepped up their efforts to pioneer new product markets. Ningbo Haiyue, in collaboration with Pangang Group, has jointly developed an intelligent conveyor railcar that features autonomous driving and can transport up to 100 tons of materials per trip. With its high conveying efficiency, simple operation, and low safety risks, the vehicle has already been deployed for transporting high-temperature molten materials at Pangang Group, filling a domestic gap in this application area. Last year, Zhenhai successfully facilitated the inclusion of 40 new products from 30 enterprises in the Ningbo Municipal Trial Production Program Database and recommended five enterprise products for selection as the province’s first-of-its-kind (set) equipment.

Meanwhile, Zhenhai is actively implementing the first-purchase insurance policy for new products and new materials. Under this policy, if customers return newly purchased products or materials, Zhenhai-based enterprises will receive insurance compensation, thereby reducing the risks associated with the promotion and application of new products and providing robust support for their market entry.

Since last year, the Zhenhai District Bureau of Economy and Information Technology has provided first-purchase insurance for new materials and new products to eight enterprises, disbursing insurance subsidies totaling more than RMB 12 million. This initiative has not only alleviated pressure on these companies but also provided strong support for Zhenhai-based firms as they boldly enter new markets.