Industrial standards to boost machine vision system markets.

New analysis from the consulting firm Frost & Sullivan (San Jose, CA, www.test andmeasurement.frost.com) reveals that the world machine vision inspection systems industry generated revenues totaling $1.12 billion in 2002. Total market revenues could reach $2,62 billion in 2009.

The lack of operating standards within the machine vision industry creates difficulties in developing and operating vision systems, and end users often cannot connect desired components," said research analyst Sunderraju Ramachandran. "Conflicts among components, computer software and hardware technologies and user interfaces reduce credibility for the industry as a whole as there exists no plug-and-play for a generic system."

With the industry working toward making machine vision technology irreplaceable in the inspection and quality control processes, research and development budgets are likely to be strained.

End users want systems based on technology that is more robust, with greater potential applications. Simpler user interfaces that allow comfortable interaction with the system, regardless of the level of technical knowledge, are also in demand. Other areas that need additional focus include optical character and pattern recognition algorithms, resolution and image mapping.

Increasing buyer awareness of the capabilities of machine vision systems is also important to overcome lingering skepticism or misinformation created by the earlier, less capable systems.

According to Frost & Sullivan, innovation is the key to success in this market. With processes in the automotive, electronic, semiconductor, food and pharmaceutical industries requiring more high-technology vision systems, products that have greater flexibility, the ability to inspect multiple parts and handle product changeovers seamlessly and efficiently without major reprogramming are the order of the day.