NOVEMBER 13--VISION, the International Trade Fair for Machine Vision and Identification Technologies, again confirmed its position as the most important exposition platform for the machine-vision industry. More than 5200 visitors came to Stuttgart from November 7 to 9. The proportion of visitors from outside Germany rose from 26% in 2005 to 31% this year. A total of 40 countries were represented, with the largest groups coming from Switzerland, Austria, and France, and many from the USA and Australia. An impressive one in four foreign visitors came from Asia.
The 215 exhibitors (up from 196 in 2005) primarily presented machine-vision components and systems that are used, in particular, for quality assurance in industries such as automotive, electrical engineering and electronics, aerospace, and mechanical engineering. Application areas include the inspection of drill holes, weld seams, and complete components, and the examination of sheet goods such as metals, foams, textiles, or paper. The number of nonindustrial applications on display increased this year, and a special section of the show devoted to these applications attracted a quarter of the attendees.
Members of the recently formed Japan Industrial Imaging Association (JIIA) attended for the first time, bringing a delegation of 30. "We are delighted to see the growing international interest in VISION," said Ulrich Kromer, managing director of show organizer and host Messe Stuttgart, in regard to the visitors from the Far East. The Japanese delegation also met with the Automated Imaging Association (AIA) and the Machine Vision Group in the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), which is the promotional supporter of VISION.
A survey of visitors revealed that numerous companies expect to increase investment in machine vision: 84% of attendees came with firm investment and purchase intentions; 66% of these planned to invest in the next six months. About half of the attendees said they plan to spend more than 20,000 euros.
The exhibitors are looking forward to moving next year to the soon-to-be-completed New Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, close the airport. "We have now almost rented the same amount of space as at VISION 2006. And a large number of exhibitors want to increase the size of their stand," according to Meike Krutinat, VISION project manager.
VISION 2007 will be held at the New Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, November 6--8, 2007.
