Machine Vision Product Research (May 2005)

Research was undertaken to gain a better understanding of Control Engineering subscribers’applications and needs regarding machine vision.

Executive Summary

• Among those who specify, recommend, or buy machine vision products, 83% do so for in-plant requirements, while 39% do this for OEM needs.

• Inspection is the primary application of machine vision products for 63% of those surveyed.

• Ethernet TCP/IP and RS-232 are currently the most widely used communication protocols for machine vision products, with usage among 77% and 69% respectively. Looking ahead to next year, results suggest Ethernet TCP/IP will expand its lead as the most widely used protocol. Results indicate the popularity of DeviceNet will grow significantly over the next year.

• Among those who specify, recommend, or buy machine vision products, the slight majority do not consider it too costly nor complex to implement.

• Fifty-two percent of respondents have used smart vision sensors. Eighty-three percent of this segment report the sensors met their requirements.

• One-quarter of control engineers surveyed currently use vision system integrators, and another 18% plan to use them in the next year.

• DVT sold machine vision products to 34% of respondents over the past year. Cognex followed closely in terms of market penetration, by virtue of sales to 32% of respondents. Twenty-two machine vision products was the average number each survey participant purchased during the past 12 months. This equated to average spending of $116,756 per respondent. Survey results suggest purchases of machine vision products will grow over the next year.

• Capital budget limitations are the most significant impediment to increased use of machine vision.

Performance is the most important factor to control engineering professionals when selecting a machine vision product.

• Close to one-quarter of Control Engineering subscribers responding do not receive any of the publications under evaluation.

Machine Vision Product Research 2005

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