A number of recent indicators suggest that the vision industry has weathered the worst of the global recession and is poised to emerge with positive signs of growth.
Recently published surveys for 2010 from the European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) and the Automated Imaging Association (AIA) in the US predict an 11 per cent increase in turnover and a 2.6-4.6 per cent increase in sales respectively in their particular regions. Similarly, an informal survey of UK Industrial Vision Association (UKIVA) members attending Britain’s Advanced Manufacturing exhibition earlier in 2010 revealed an upturn in enquiry levels and actual business since the beginning of 2010.One of the reasons for these positive predictions may be the increased role of vision in industrial automation in manufacturing, where the two keys to competitiveness for manufacturing in the western economy in a world where labour costs are lower elsewhere are automation and quality. Vision can help to both reduce costs and ensure quality to a consistent and high standard, thus increasing competitiveness.
Investing in machine vision offers many benefits. Using data from a vision system to feed into a statistical control system can be the ultimate integration of vision into an automated manufacturing process. It can make sure that a factory never produces scrap material since corrections can be made before the product goes out of tolerance. Using vision systems to accurately measure what is delivered to a customer can have a direct effect on the profitability of the company. Using vision to work accurately to the minimum within-tolerance parameter, rather than the middle of a tolerance band, can save a huge amount annually in raw material costs. When vision is used to check that items have been correctly assembled, warranty costs are reduced.
No comments:
Post a Comment