Bringing You The Latest Product & Industry News for Machine Vision

Is Hitachi The Next Company To Exit The Video Electronics Market?

2016-10-05T07:05:00.001-07:00

In the past 24 months we've witnessed a remarkable shift in the industrial video marketplace. Manufacturing, automotive, aeronautics, and robotics are quickly adapting highly integrated technologies for smart vision systems.

The shift is leaving behind some video electronics manufacturers who are unable to adapt their products quickly. Demand for component products, e.g. cameras, optics, data capture hardware, is declining.

This is manifesting itself in strategic acquisitions or in some cases capitulation. Earlier this week we learned of the acquisition of Point Grey Research by FLIR Systems, a clear case of one company expanding it's intellectual property and another recognizing it's limitations in the changing landscape.

Now we learn Hitachi is considering divesting it's interest in Kokusai electronics, a long time giant in professional video products for industrial, medical, and broadcast. In April Hitachi reported a net drop in income of 26% from the division, citing a rapidly changing business environment for failure to meet their targets.

Hitachi, Japan’s second-largest manufacturer, is reviewing its portfolio amid a slowdown in demand from China as well as oil- and gas-producing countries, hit by low prices for crude. Hitachi Ltd is considering a sale of its controlling stake in Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc that could ultimately lead to a [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.gulf-times.com

Last year Sony announced they would cease production of their CCD sensor product lines, a move that would cripple many video electronics manufacturers. They quickly reversed that decision amid harsh criticism by customers. However, it's only a matter of time before CMOS overtakes CCD as the technology of choice for visions systems.

"We can expect these consolidations and divestitures to continue through 2020 as the glut of vision electronics manufacturers reassess demand for new technologies and the continue decline of 'old school' vision component products" said JD Martin, product strategist for Industrial Camera Sales based in Traverse City Mi.

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FLIR Systems (FLIR) to Acquire Point Grey Research for $253M

2016-10-03T15:00:00.001-07:00

FLIR Systems has been on fire as of late with new innovative products and aggressive marketing campaigns. Now with the announced acquisition of Point Grey Research, FLIR will roll into the machine vision and specialty imaging market.

Over the past decade Point Grey Research has announced a continuous stream of innovative products and made a name for themselves offering high performance cameras backed by solid engineering designs. The $253 million dollar deal is expected to be finalized in the 4th quarter of 2016.

Get the Pulse of the Market with StreetInsider.com's Pulse Picks . Get your Free Trial here . FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR ) announced today that it has reached a definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire the business of Point Grey Research, Inc., a leading developer of machine vision [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.streetinsider.com

PGR's aggressive pricing policies put tremendous pressure on it's competitors, and some say, damaged the market's reseller distribution channels. All eyes will be on FLIR to see what changes, if any, they make to PGRs product distribution and pricing policies.

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How To Choose a Camera for Infrared or Thermal Imaging

2016-09-29T02:34:00.001-07:00

With so many options available in thermal imaging and near infrared cameras, you can spend an enormous amount of time researching and choosing the best camera for your application. Advances in both longwave infrared (LWIR) and short wave infrared (SWIR) imaging, have opened up a broad range of applications in industrial process and condition monitoring, surveillance, agriculture, and of course military. At the same time cost of devices and technologies is dropping rapidly.

This comprehensive article posted on Vision Systems Online provides an excellent overview of both SWIR and LWIR technologies and how to choose what is, and what is not, important for your application.

Understanding the relative temperature differences in a color-mapped thermal image is easy but if accurate temperature measurements are required, a number of potential error sources must be considered. These include the emissivity of the surface being measured, the viewing angle of the camera, surface reflections, the transmission characteristics of the target, atmospheric attenuation, spatial resolution limitations and motion blur. If one or more of these considerations are overlooked, temperature accuracy will suffer.
Temperature measurements captured by a thermal camera consist of transmitted, reflected and emitted energy, the measured temperature being the sum of these three energy components. Transmitted energy is the energy passing through the object while reflected energy is the energy reflected from the target to the camera. Emitted energy is the energy generated by the target. Generally, when measuring the temperature of an object, the emitted energy is of primary concern. [...]

Click here to view original web page at optics.org

The United States and China are important export markets for Germany, making up as much as 20% of export sales for machine vision systems in 2016.

Click here to view original web page at www.vision-systems.com

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Germany Extends 2015 Gains With Record Sales of Machine Vision Systems Expected For 2016

2016-09-27T02:34:00.001-07:00

Germany's industrial association, VDMA, is forecasting an 8% increase ins sales of machine vision systems to €2.2 billion for 2016, that's on top of a 9% rise seen in 2015.

Smart technologies are revolutionizing automation, enabling machines to 'see' in 3-D and interact with the entire manufacturing process rather than just the end process of quality control. Non-industrial applications such as transport, logistics, traffic control, and medical technologies are growing at the rate of 15% and are expected to contribute significantly to grow in intelligent vision system sales.

From Henry Tipping in Stuttgart With the German machine vision industry having achieved record sales of €2 billion in 2015 – a rise of 9 percent compared to the previous year – the VDMA, Germany’s industrial association, has forecast a further rise of 8 percent to €2.2 billion in [...]

Click here to view original web page at optics.org

The United States and China are important export markets for Germany, making up as much as 20% of export sales for machine vision systems in 2016.

The Vision 2016 Expo is anticipated to be a record breaking event, with over 400 exhibitors.

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ON Semiconductor Announces 8 Megapixel Ultra Low-Light EMCCD Imager With Integrated TE Cooling

2016-09-25T07:02:00.001-07:00

ON Semiconductor has announced that their latest innovation, KAE-08151 IT-EMCCD imaging sensor, is now available for sampling in both monochrome and color models. This remarkable 8 megapixel imager combines two established imaging technologies, an electron multiplying CCD with the architecture of multi-megapixel imaging. Device packaging is available with thermal electric cooling (TEC), to extend low noise performance to even further.
The new imager promises low electron noise with a dynamic range from sub-lux to bright light imaging. The company is targeting high resolution microscopy and scientific imaging applications in the low light regime.
The KAE-08151 is available now in sample quantities, with the TEC package option available in early 2017.

A Product Datasheet for the KAE-08551 can be found here http://www.industrialcamerasales.com/resources/sensors/kae-08151.pdf

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ON Semiconductor (Nasdaq: ON ), driving energy efficient innovations, continues to strengthen its position in low-light imaging solutions for industrial markets with the introduction of new products based on interline transfer electron multiplying charge-coupled device (IT-EMCCD) technology. The new 8-megapixel KAE-08151 image sensor is the second device [...]

Click here to view original web page at finance.yahoo.com

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Will embedded vision systems radically change the face of machine vision?

2016-09-08T05:12:00.001-07:00

Ten years ago the idea that today's cars would be sporting forward looking smart vision systems would have been considered ridiculous. Yet, here we are.

The rapid rise of embedded image processors, low cost high resolution imaging sensors, and advances in data processing and communications is rapidly transforming machine vision technologies.

In this article by Greg Blackman, IMVEurope, he posits that in the very near future machine vision systems won't just be stations on a factory line maintained by workers, but rather embedded vision systems will be fundamental components of production machines that see and think.

EMBEDDED VISION Greg Blackman investigates the rise of embedded vision and finds that advances in computer hardware are set to revolutionize factory automation Imaging and Machine Vision Europe : August/September 2016 What will tomorrow’s factories look like? One point of view from Jeff Bier, founder of the Embedded Vision [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.imveurope.com

Industrial Camera Sales, headquartered in Grand Rapids MI, is a supplier of machine vision components. "We are rapidly rethinking our product lineup. I think the days of selling cameras and optics as individual components as a primary revenue stream are rapidly coming to an end" say Jeff Stiegman, Partner and Marketing Strategist for IndustrialCameraSales.com.

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Thermal Imaging Market Expected to Double by 2022

2016-09-06T10:29:00.001-07:00

According to a recent report by Markets & Markets, infrared imaging, specifically long wave thermal imaging, is expected to almost double from $6.43 billion USD in 2015 to $11.36 billion by 2022.

Surveillance applications are leading the growth with military, home security, and industrial plant monitoring or surveillance included in that category.

North America held the largest market share in 2015 due to rapid technology development and deployment.
MarketWatch details the infrared market segments in the following article and suggestsIn this article from MarketWatch the infrared market segments surveillance will continue to drive the market in the foreseeable future.

PUNE, India, Jul 28, 2016 (PR Newswire Europe via COMTEX) -- PUNE, India, July 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Infrared Imaging Market by Component (IR Lens System, IR Sensor, IR Detector), Technology (Cooled, Uncooled), Type (Fixed, Portable) , Wavelength (NIR, SWIR, LWIR, FIR), [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.marketwatch.com

Industrial Camera Sales is responding to the growth in infrared vision technology by adding thermal imaging and applications products to it's line. "We expect thermal imaging applications to make up a substantial portion of our revenue in 2017" says JD Martin, partner and Online Sales Manager for Industrial Camera Sales.
IndustrialCameraSales.com is headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI. Their thermal imager product line up can be found at industrialcamerasales.com/thermal-imagers
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AX8 Thermal Imaging Camera Monitors Packaging Quality At A Great Price

2016-08-24T16:12:00.001-07:00

Finally an affordable solution for 24/7 thermal condition monitoring in power plants, data centers, electrical distribution, storage facilities, and more. The AX8 combines thermal imaging technology with a 640x480 visible camera sensor to produce a detailed image, mapping temperatures from 14 to 302 degrees fahrenheit. Alarm functions, onboard image storage, and Ethernet connectivity complete the package.

Presentation and delivery are critical parts of product quality. Recochem, a Canada-based manufacturer and distributor of chemical products and fluids understands this all too well. That’s why the company is using thermal imaging to continuously monitor the quality of its package sealing. Recochem is a Canadian owned, privately held [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.flir.com

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Machine Vision Algorithms May Have An Achilles’ Heel

2016-07-27T22:38:00.001-07:00

Machine learning algorithms are rapidly transforming the way we use computer based vision systems and are opening doors to applications we thought impossible less than a decade ago. But now, researchers at Google Brain have discovered what could be machine visions' achilles'heel.

One of the most spectacular advances in modern science has been the rise of machine vision. In just a few years, a new generation of machine learning techniques has changed the way computers see.

Machines now outperform humans in face recognition and object recognition and are in the process of revolutionizing numerous vision-based tasks such as driving, security monitoring, and so on. Machine vision is now superhuman.

But a problem is emerging. Machine vision researchers have begun to notice some worrying shortcomings of their new charges. It turns out machine vision algorithms have an Achilles’ heel that allows them to be tricked by images modified in ways that would be trivial for a human to spot. [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.technologyreview.com

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Thermal Imaging Module for OEM Applications Provides Flexibility and Exceptional Imaging

2016-07-26T02:27:00.001-07:00

The model XTM-640 is a thermal imaging micobolometer with a high resolution array (640x480) for OEM applications. The a-Si sensor requires no cooling, has a spectral range of 8um to 14um, and onboard image processing with a 16-bit DAC. The module is suitable for a wide variety of applications in industrial imaging, night vision, surveillance, fire fighting, and automotive vision systems. It's available with camera link, GigE, and analog interface, with flexible input trigger configurations.

Xenics’ XTM-640 is an extremely compact and versatile thermal camera module with unique image quality and stability for a broad range of OEM applications. These applications include security, night vision, firefighting, airborne and land-based reconnaissance and surveillance.

We guarantee you unparalleled uniform and crisp thermal images thanks to onboard image processing and full shutter control.

You can easily integrate our XTM-640 into your system with the universal Samtec QTE connector, providing digital video out or raw digital data. This allows you immediate connection, data acquisition, command and control.[...]

Click here to view original web page at www.xenics.com

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Collaborative Robot Reports Predicts Phenomenal Growth

2016-07-21T18:28:00.001-07:00

A new report available at Wise Guy Reports suggests the global market of material handling collaborative robots, or cobots, is set for phenomenal growth through 2022. The report quantifies the global market from an end-user, application, and region perspective. Data is available for unit shipment, sales from hardware, and combined revenue generated from hardware and software of material handling cobots in each sub-market. Current competitive scenario and profiles of major vendors/players are also enclosed in the report.

Collaborative robots (cobots or co-bots) are smaller, smarter, more affordable, use-friendly and flexible automatic solutions than traditional industrial robotics, especially suitable and appealing to SMEs for industrial manufacture. Cobots designed for material handling process represent the most prevalent application of collaborative robots. Driven by global competition, global material handling [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.wiseguyreports.com

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Smartphone Microscope Can Check For Healthy Sperm

2016-07-21T03:35:00.001-07:00

Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a microscope lens assembly which may be clipped to a smartphone to magnify microscopic images 555X. Although the device was developed to allow video recording and analysis of sperm motility, it has much broader potential applications.

The device can be used with your smartphone as a field microscope enabling both photographs as well as video of microscopic samples to be recorded and texted or emailed to colleagues, or stored for later analysis.

Sebastian Kaulitzki/Shutterstock.com Many men might find the idea of visiting the doctor to get a fertility test too awkward or embarrassing to contemplate – and that's where a new microscopic camera, designed to attach to most modern smartphones, can help. A short video recorded using the device is enough [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.sciencealert.com

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MicroHAWK Smart Cameras

2016-07-20T01:18:00.001-07:00

The MicroHAWK Smart Camera from Microscan combines liquid lens technology with high resolution imaging arrays, lighting, and an onboard imaging engine to perform a range of image recognition tasks. Whether paired with AutoVision software for barcode reading, or Visionscape software for advanced image recognition applications, the MicroHAWK appears to be an all-in-one solution for Auto ID and Machine Vision tasks.

SOFTWARE OPTIONS: Auto ID+ AutoVISION® Software provides a simple setup & runtime interface for solving basic to mid-range vision and auto ID applications. Scalable to Visionscape®. Learn more Advanced Machine Vision Visionscape® Software provides a professional setup & runtime interface with access to Microscan’s full auto ID, verification, and [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.microscan.com

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Video Of The Week – Cobots Lend A Hand On Fords Product Line

2016-07-19T02:03:00.001-07:00

A rapidly growing trend on the factory floor is the use of collaborative robots, or 'cobots' for short. Instead of replacing factory workers cobots lend a hand to improve efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.

In this weeks Video of the Week Ford is testing the use of cobots in two facilities and reviewing expanding the use of cobots in facilities world wide.

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4 Key Technologies Expected To Transform Manufacturing Sector

2016-07-18T00:38:00.001-07:00

According to a report by business consulting firm PWC, industrial manufacturing companies cannot afford to ignore the technological renaissance reshaping systems and processes on the factory floor and improving productivity and competitiveness.

The report identifies four key technologies that are driving these changes, including the "Internet of Things" (IoT), collaborative robotics, new developments in machine vision technology, and 3D printing technology.

You can download the full report at StartegyAnd.pwc.com

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Global Machine Vision Technologies Market To Double In The Coming Decade

2016-07-15T02:19:00.001-07:00

A new report out from Transparency Market Research forecasts the machine vision technology market to double between 2015-2021 reaching an expected value of $15.7 billion.

Machine vision technology is an advanced suite of technologies that allow robotic systems to inspect a system with no human intervention. It is an imaging-based system of inspection comprising one or multiple smart cameras. These cameras sometime don’t even need a distinct computer to run the scans, which is [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.yourcommunicationnews.com

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Video Of The Week – Cobots Lend A Hand On Fords Product Line

2016-07-14T18:05:00.001-07:00

In this weeks Video of the Week Ford is testing the use of cobots in two facilities and reviewing expanding the use of cobots in facilities world wide.

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Google Buys Technology To Make Images as Searchable As Text

2016-07-14T17:00:00.001-07:00

continues to add to its talent pool with the acquisition of Moodstocks. The machine learning startup company develops image recognition APIs for smart phones. However that product will be retired and the company's talent pool integrated into Google's own image recognition expertise.

It's a good time to be a machine learning startup. Two weeks after Twitter bought London-based Magic Pony , Google has purchased French firm Moodstocks . The acquisition was made for an unknown sum, and seems primarily a grab for talent. Moodstocks' engineers and researchers will move to Google's [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.theverge.com

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SenTech 4 Megapixel Highspeed Color Camera With GigE

2016-07-09T06:56:00.001-07:00

Industrial Camera Sales is now offering SenTech's 4 megapixel high speed color CMOSIS camera for just $1,529. This Gige camera is capable of 89 Frames/Sec with a full frame of 2048x2048 pixels making it one of the fastest 4 megapixel Gige cameras available.

Payments Accepted: PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, Discover

Click here to view original web page at industrialcamerasales.com

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Industrial Vision Systems Looks to Co-Robots For New Market Growth

2016-07-08T03:02:00.001-07:00

The machine vision market is expected to reach $12.5 billion by 2020. Much of that growth will be in the development of lightweight collaborative robot,s or "co-bots", systems designed to work side by side with human workers.

IVS designed and built a 15 camera integrated machine vision system to automatically inspect a large automotive sub-assembly The machine vision market is expected to grow from $8 billion in 2015 to $12.5 billion by 2020, according to a report by Markets and Markets . With such huge financial [...]

Click here to view original web page at roboticsandautomationnews.com

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U.S. Army Testing Autonomous Vehicles in Michigan

2016-07-06T05:02:00.001-07:00

The Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) has begun testing autonomous convoy vehicles along a section of I-69 outside of Warren Michigan. Using a technology, called dedicated short-range communications, the vehicles communicate with each other and with sensors along the roadside, exchanging speed, location, and driving conditions. Though deployment of such vehicles is not scheduled any time soon, over the next few years TARDEC will expand testing to platooning, where a lead truck controls the speed and direction of the convoy.

The Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) has been testing it for years in closed environments, but this week marks their first tests on a public highway. [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.detroitnews.com

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3D-Printed Lenses Open New Applications In Sub-millimeter Vision Systems

2016-07-05T04:41:00.001-07:00

Researchers are the University of Stuttgart have demonstrated a technique using 3D-printing to fabricate multi-element lens systems on substrates as small as a human hair. The team printed a triplet lens directly on the end of an optical fiber and demonstrated high quality image transmission through the fiber for objects positioned as close as 3mm from the lens. The technology may be used to print lens elements directly on image sensors possibly eliminating the needs for optical components in micro vision systems.

The world's smallest lens has been created using 3D printing, and it's just twice the width of a human hair. Its makers claim the lens could lead to cameras the size of a grain of salt, revolutionising surgery, surveillance, robotics and drone technology. Researchers in Germany created a triplet [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.dailymail.co.uk

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OptiSys-5101 Embedded Vision System With Four Camera Link Ports

2016-07-01T01:25:00.001-07:00

has released their model OptiSys-5101 embedded vision system processor. The unit features four camera link input ports which can be configured independently, each with a dedicated Intel Quadcore processor. Multi-terabyte storages is removable with ready to run image processing softwre and HDMI, USB3.0, and GigE I/O.

OptiSys-5101 is a high performance embedded vision system featuring four Camera Link image frame grabber ports. The ports are configurable as either four base, two full or combination two base and one full port. Powered by an Intel Quad Corei7 processor, the small light weight system includes high capacity [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.elma.com

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Sony XC-ST50 CCD Camera – B Stock Only $395

2016-06-30T02:06:00.001-07:00

Take advantage of our July special on Sony Xc-ST50 B-stock cameras. These units have been lightly used or repackaged but still carry a full 12 month replacement warranty. A great value at just $395 while they last.

Special - B Stock Price While They Last - B Stock cameras are units which have been used in installations and may show minor blemishes. They are tested for full factory specification, repackaged, and include a 12 month replacement warranty and are an excellent value. The Sony XC-ST50 is [...]

Click here to view original web page at industrialcamerasales.com

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A Wireless Backup Camera With Computer Vision For Your Car

2016-06-29T14:19:00.001-07:00

Pearl, a Silicon Valley start by ex-Apple engineers, is working on a Bluetooth back camera for your car that can see in 3D, and alert you to objects in your path. The device uses two high definition cameras embedded in license plate frame and is power by a solar cell. A powerful processor plugs into your cars diagnostic port and computes object distance. Video imagery is sent to your mobile phone. The whole system installs in minutes without the need of wires or a power source.

(Photo credit: Pearl) The amount of technology being installed into the latest cars is exploding, but it’s going to take decades for all that technology to reach mass scale. Old cars stick around for decades. Pearl Automation, founded by three Apple hardware engineers, wants to help speed up the [...]

Click here to view original web page at www.forbes.com

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