George Kotelly, Editor in Chief
[email protected]
Next month, two vision-industry trade shows are being held in consecutive weeks. In Europe, the VISION 2002 International Trade Fair is being presented by Messe Stuttgart (www.messe-stuttgart.de) in Stuttgart, Germany, 11–14 November. In North America, the Vision Show West unfolds in Santa Clara, CA, 18–21 November, sponsored by the Automated Imaging Association (AIA; Ann Arbor, MI; www.machinevisiononline.org). Because of the global economic downturn, more new products than usual are anticipated to be announced at both shows in an effort to spur business.
Frank Layer, divisional director of Messe Stuttgart, expects approximately 170 exhibitors at VISION 2002, representing 16 countries, with an increase of about 5% in occupied space. A key show event is the "Beginners' Workshop." Aimed at new industry engineers, this workshop will present speakers who will explain the principles of industrial image-processing applications, systems, and components. Another event is "Industrial Vision Days," a three-day forum of nearly 50 papers on a variety of image-processing-related subjects under the technical direction of the VDMA (Association of German Machinery Manufacturers). Yet another feature is the 10th Annual VISION 2002 Award, which will be bestowed on the inventor of the most outstanding product, system, or process of the year that advances the image-processing industry.
The Vision Show West, under the direction of AIA executive director Jeff Burnstein, showcases machine-vision components, systems, and applications for suppliers and system integrators, with nearly 100 exhibitors. A major show event involves tutorial sessions for both beginners and experts. These tutorials cover machine-vision fundamentals, lighting and optics, and software. Another important event centers on technical conference sessions, each of which offers several papers given by experts. The sessions cover cameras and sensors, nonvisible and 3-D imaging, a range of applications, nanotechnology, and lighting and optics. For the first time there will be a "Straight Talk on New Products" event on the show floor. Presentations on new products, Camera Link interfacing, and industry issues will run continually throughout the show.
Two important shows presented on succeeding weeks and located continents apart confront even seasoned international travelers with arduous logistic and endurance impediments. More important, to attract worldwide attention and optimum exhibitor and visitor attendance and interest, these two shows should be separated by at least a week or more.
