N.A. machine vision sales shrink in Q1 of 2016

The North American machine vision market contracted in the first quarter of 2016. Sales of machine vision components and systems fell by about 11% year over year. The first quarter saw sales of approximately $546 million, according to new statistics issued by AIA.

Total sales include both machine vision components and systems. The components category decreased seven percent to $79 million in the first quarter of 2016. Individual component categories such as cameras, lighting, optics, and software were down, while sales of imaging boards were flat.

The systems category also slowed down in the first quarter of 2016 to $465 million. Within machine vision systems, sales of application specific machine vision (ASMV) systems decreased 13% to $391 million, while smart cameras contracted by two percent to $75 million.

Despite the declines on a year over year basis, the machine vision market in North America saw growth over year-end 2015 levels. More specifically, the components category saw an increase of five percent in sales over the fourth quarter of 2015, while the systems market increased by two percent.

For the most part, more than half of industry experts are expecting things to turn upwards for the the component markets in the upcoming months. “38% believe they will remain flat, and six percent expect further declines,” said Alex Shikany, AIA’s Director of Market Analysis. “We are in the midst of what appears to be a cyclical downturn for this market. Similar cyclicality was recorded in 2012, for example, which preceded a significant growth year (2013) for the North American vision market.”

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