Among the factors driving the rapid growth in the application of machine vision technology is the creation of new industry standards, according to industry leaders.
"Global standards make it easier for users to incorporate machine vision into their automated solutions," says John Merva, chair of the Automated Imaging Assn (AIA) standards committee. AIA is a machine vision trade assn with some 300 member companies from 30 nations. 

Merva cites a wide-range of current camera interface and interoperability standards activities, such as GigE Vision, Camera Link, the new Camera Link HS, CoaXPress, and GenICam that have been developed either by AIA or other trade associations such as the European Machine Vision Assn and the Japan Industrial Imaging Assn.

These international associations are also working together to develop new global standards on issues such as lighting for machine vision, which is often the key to success or failure of a vision application.

To educate users on the various standards, a special exhibit will be featured at Automate 2011 running March 21-24 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. More than 5,000 industry leaders from around the world will attend the show and accompanying conference sessions to learn how technologies such as machine vision, robotics, and motion control can help them become stronger global competitors.

"It's important to see the standards demonstrated live in order to understand which one is a best for a specific application," Merva explains. "That's why a number of leading industry companies and associations support this joint exhibit at Automate."

Source: Automated Imaging Assn