Machine vision components and systems exhibited lackluster growth in 2007 and will likely do even worse in 2008, according to a new study from the Automated Imaging Association.
Paul Kellett, the association’s research director, reports that the yearly growth of component sales was just 0.5 percent in 2007, while smart cameras posted a 2.1 percent growth and application-specific systems grew just 1.5 percent. His expectations for 2008 are a 1.5 percent decline in growth for components and 0.8 and 0.6 percent growth for the smart cameras and systems, respectively.
Yet despite the poor sales expectations, there have been some bright spots this year from a technology development standpoint. Among them are smaller vision systems that are easier for machine builders to install. There have also been ease-of-use advances related to programming and set up. And there are also new 3D vision systems, which Kellett says represented 14 percent of application specific sales in 2007. These new systems are now tackling high-speed inspection and even machine safety tasks.
Read about some these new systems here, here and here.
By experimenting with the photovoltaic reaction in solar cells, researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough in energy efficiency that significantly pushes the boundaries of current commercial cells on the market.
We looked at a number of sources to determine this year's greenest cars, from KBB to automotive trade magazines to environmental organizations. These 14 cars emerged as being great at either stretching fuel or reducing carbon footprint.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 4
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
4 
