A smart camera in the machine vision market is defined by its system architecture, experts say. Specifically, a smart camera packages an imaging sensor, sensor interface, computer, and I/O interface into a single package.

Whether you’re machining or inspecting, the profits are in the speed of the swap. Like CNC machining, it should no longer be a question of if you need inspection fixturing, but what type.

In the fall of 2021, COVID-19 was a top concern for more than half of respondents in our September 2021 survey. Today that number is down to 17%, according to our Annual Quality Spending Survey, which surveyed subscribers in September 2022.

A look into some of the latest trends in machine vision, in terms of both technologies and applications.

The phenomenal rise of collaborative automation systems over the past decade or so has seen collaborative technologies deployed on a growing number of quality control applications. Collaborative automation enables companies of all sizes to improve throughput and reduce cycle times on inspection tasks.

Following the automation of manufacturing processes in industry, the fourth industrial revolution is addressing digital connectivity and communication between manufacturing, but also quality assurance systems, i.e., NDT or NDE systems.

Manufacturers often look at collaborative robots, or cobots, as an ideal way to enhance production efficiency, with human workers and automation working closely together.

The emergence of autonomous mobile robots (AMR), which can independently transport materials around a facility using built-in Lidar scanners and 3D cameras, can make automating tasks faster, less expensive and easier to deploy overall.

Robot sales have surged over the last few years as companies in every industry recognize robotics and automation can help them compete globally. 

Nondestructive testing of large components can be time consuming and requires several people to work quickly to minimize the impact of testing on the large component manufacturing process.