AV&R Vision & Robotics has developed a system that combines visual inspection, robotics, and 3-D profiling techniques to inspect critical components such as those used in the aerospace and medical manufacturing industries.

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) Quarterly Statistics, in 2011 sales of industrial robots will reach a peak level of approximately 150,000 units, representing an increase of around 30% over 2010.

Engineers at Vitronic (Wiesbaden, Germany) have developed a laser-based volume measurement system which captures the images of the surfaces of cartons and recognizes deformations.

System integrators often rely on individual software packages from well-known vendors such as Cognex (Natick, MA, USA), Matrox Imaging (Dorval, QC, Canada), and National Instruments (Austin, TX, USA).

Whether you earn just a pittance or a fortune, one of the rewards of any job is a letter of praise from your employer, customers, or suppliers.

Smart cameras with embedded processing capabilities are changing the vision landscape, allowing developers to run vision inspection applications without the need to burden a separate PC.

Vision-guided robotic systems are automating every aspect of meat production, from slaughtering to packaging.

Engineers at Pepperl+Fuchs (Twinsburg, OH, USA) have expanded the scope of Data Matrix code-reading by developing a camera-based vision system that reads Data Matrix codes to provide positional feedback along an automation system's path.

ABI Research is forecasting robotic component revenues will exceed US$2.36 billion by 2016, with a total robotics market value of approximately $22 billion.