North American machine vision sales surge in 2017

2017 is shaping up to be a good year for machine vision systems sales. According to new statistics issued by AIA, the industry’s trade group, North American sales of the systems and components has increased by 10 per cent year over year in the first quarter of 2017, reaching approximately $597 million.

“Our most recent survey of industry experts shows that 50 per cent of respondents expect the market to increase over the next six months, 40 per cent predict stagnation, and only 10 per cent are bracing for a decline,” said Alex Shikany, AIA’s Director of Market Analysis.

“Vision companies continue to explore new applications in a variety of industries adopting the technology. The move toward smart factories utilizing the industrial internet of things is also providing more opportunities for vision today than ever before.”

Total machine vision sales include sales of machine vision systems and components.

The machine vision systems category increased 10 per cent to $509 million in the first quarter of 2017.

Within machine vision systems, sales of smart cameras climbed 16 per cent to $87 million, while application specific machine vision (ASMV) systems grew eight percent to $422 million.

The machine vision components category also grew eight per cent in the first quarter of 2017 to $85 million. Every individual component category, including cameras, lighting, optics, imaging boards, and software, increased to begin the year.

“The market’s growing interest in vision technology was apparent at our Automate show and conference in Chicago this year,” said AIA President Jeff Burnstein. “There were a record number of vision exhibitors at the show who were displaying cutting edge new vision technology. Automate’s educational conference – which included AIA’s Basic and Advanced Certified Vision Professional programs – also drew record attendance.”

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