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.

Magnetic particle inspection ensures that parts are free of fatigue stress, structural defects, or stress cracks. The technology, which can be applied to existing, in-use parts, or newly manufactured parts and components that require integrity testing, has been around for more than a century.

Why do we remember the past, and not the future? It’s an interesting question in that it is thought provoking.

While COVID dampened demand early on, the skills gap and labor shortage that has plagued the industry for more than a decade is still in full swing. As new NDT methods advance, quality professionals require new training, and technicians transitioning from film techniques to non-film techniques need hands-on experience.

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.

Despite offering workers an average annual compensation of $84,832 in 2017, manufacturers struggle to fill positions. 

In roundness measurement – measuring the roundness of a part to confirm that it does not deviate from the known specifications on the blueprint – complexity has increased as parts become more complicated with tighter tolerances.

It’s time to invest. According to our 21st Annual Quality Spending Survey, respondents are interested in purchasing new equipment, software and services now.

It has been said so often, and it holds so true – the events of the last year and a half have been unprecedented. The global effects of COVID-19 have rippled through the supply chain impacting every industry including, but not limited to, delays in shipping, rising prices, and material availability. 

If you’re one of those companies still considering taking the first—or possibly next—step in their automation journey, start with the following steps to facilitate the process, and feel more comfortable doing it.