Global Markets for Machine Vision Technologies -- Focus on Manufacturing Markets

Report Highlights

Report Includes

• An overview of the global market for machine vision (MV) which is an automated technology through which images are captured and transferred to a PC and processed thereafter for inspection and reporting of the processed results; this study focuses on manufacturing markets.
• Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2012, estimates for 2013, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) from 2014 through 2019.
• Examinations of the global market for the various components that make up an MV system, as well as the advances in MV technology, such as smart cameras and vision-guided robotics, that have facilitated and accelerated varied applications for industrial as well as nonindustrial use in the near future.
• Discussion of the structure of the industries involved in the research, development, design, and manufacture of MV components and systems.
• Comprehensive company profiles of major manufacturers.

INTRODUCTION

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Machine vision (MV) uses automated technology for capturing images and transferring to a PC. The images are then processed for inspection and reporting of the processed results.  MV systems can therefore be termed as devices that capture and analyze visual information, and are used to automate “seeing” tasks. A camera and an image sensor are used to capture images, and vision software analyzes what is being seen and communicates information to other equipment.  Vision systems also require lighting and are configured by connecting them to a display device such as a computer monitor. 

MV systems can have a variety of physical forms, depending on the needs of the users, who can purchase vision software to use with their own cameras and processors, or can purchase a stand-alone unit that combines the camera, processor and software into a single package. Such systems have increasingly become more powerful while at the same time easy to use.  Advances in MV technology including smart cameras and vision-guided robotics have increased the scope of the market for MV, with a wider application in the manufacturing and nonmanufacturing sectors.

MV is now used to ensure the quality of products from tiny computer chips to massive space vehicles as well as in major security applications and traffic and crowd-control applications.  MV has become a vital and effective automation tool that enables computers to replace human vision in many high-speed and high-precision manufacturing and nonmanufacturing applications.  MV systems are utilized in manufacturing applications, including manufacturing of semiconductor, electronics, pharmaceuticals, packaging, medical devices, automotive and consumer goods.  MV has also become a useful tool in traffic management, toll collection and many other nonmanufacturing uses.

This report will look at the application market for MV systems and the competition involved in this ever-expanding field.  This report will also study the global market for the various components and different systems that constitute an MV system.  The market for these components and systems has become very competitive, and this report will look into the nature of the competition and the region-wise breakdown of these markets.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

To succeed in a market, MV companies must understand that market.  They must know who their competitors are, how the market as a whole is performing, and what is selling and what is not.  In addition, they must know where market opportunities lie.  This report provides important information on the current size and anticipated growth of the overall market and market segments, characteristics of the market, leading suppliers, trends in customer preference and geographic market opportunities.

SCOPE OF REPORT

The scope of this report is the market for MV hardware and software, including smart cameras and smart sensors, compact vision systems, personal computer-based MV systems, MV lighting and cameras, and frame grabbers.

A variety of factors were considered in making the market forecast, including plant construction and upgrades, the rate at which new MV technology is being applied in new areas, the underlying economic growth of the overall market, and the growth rates reported by manufacturers and users of MV products.

The report will look at the global market for the various components that comprise an MV system.  These components have been undergoing constant upgrades in terms of sophistication, but providing easier operation.  In addition, the prices of these components continue to fall, so the MV industry has been characterized by improving price and performance ratios.  This has made the market for MV components very competitive.  This study will examine the nature of the competition and offer a regional breakdown of this market. In addition, there will be a look at future global markets for MV systems and the technologies that will be involved.  Starting with some basic manufacturing applications two decades ago in a few selected countries, the growth of this technology has allowed it to penetrate varied nonmanufacturing fields and the market has become global in nature.

Recent advances in MV technology have facilitated and accelerated varied applications for manufacturing as well as nonmanufacturing use in the near future.  This report investigates the present global and regional markets for these various applications and provides a realistic forecast of their growth.

The major objective of this report is to determine the worldwide market for MV systems and its growth potential over the next five years.  It also highlights the various technologies involved and improvements in them.  There is a look at the structure of the industries involved in the research, development, design and manufacture of MV components and systems.  Profiles of global manufacturers are provided along with a discussion of the global competition in this ever-expanding market.  An analysis of patents issued to various companies for related technologies and processes is contained in this study.  Forecasts take into account product and technology life cycles.

Information has been provided in a simple-to-understand and easy-to-grasp format.  Necessary figures regarding global and regional sales and forecasts of MV systems and components for both the manufacturing and nonmanufacturing sectors are provided as easy-to-read figures and tables.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This study covers the technologies involved in MV systems, such as components that constitute a workable MV system, recent advances in the technologies involved, various traditional and new applications and global markets for these technologies and applications.  The report will be useful for:

• Manufacturers of MV systems and components.
• Systems integrators.
• Design and application engineers.
• Various industries and agencies needing MV systems.
• Traffic and transport planners.
• Security system planners.

METHODOLOGY

Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used in this study.  Market data resulted from telephone interviews with manufacturers of MV components, systems integrators and end users, as well as from searches of company literature and online sources.  Production data from various segments of the industry was obtained from sources within these industries and from the balance sheets of a number of companies.  Forecasts are based on a variety of factors, including technology developments, commercial realities, product/ technology life cycles and regional economic growth factors.

INFORMATION SOURCES

Primary information sources for this market research include individuals within companies, various research organizations, governmental agencies and trade associations.  Additional secondary research sources include databases, trade literature, specialized journals and government statistics.

ANALYST CREDENTIALS

Srinivasa Rajaram is a mechanical engineer with more than 40 years of experience in senior positions in multinational organizations in manufacturing fields.  He has designed layouts of manufacturing systems, and has authored several leading technology market research reports for BCC Research.

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DISCLAIMER

The information developed in this report is intended to be as reliable as possible at the time of publication and of a professional nature.  This information does not constitute managerial, legal or accounting advice; nor should it serve as a corporate policy guide, laboratory manual or an endorsement of any product, as much of the information is speculative in nature.  The author assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage that might result from reliance on the reported information or from its use.