Contracting in 2012, machine vision market in North America now set to expand

March 7, 2013

Ann Arbor, MI--Total sales of machine vision components and systems fell over 4% in 2012, but are expected to rebound in 2013, according to a report from AIA.

Conard Holton

Ann Arbor, MI--Total sales of machine vision components and systems fell over 4% in 2012, but are expected to rebound in 2013, according to a report from AIA, the industry’s trade group. The overall North American vision market totaled $1.8 billion in 2012. While segments such as cameras, lighting, and imaging boards saw increased sales last year, optics, software, smart cameras and application-specific machine vision systems sales declined.

"In 2012 the vision market in North America suffered from a slowdown in the second half of the year caused in part by the uncertainty over the U.S. Presidential election as well as a cooling manufacturing environment," said Jeff Burnstein, AIA President. "However, based on surveys of our members, we see an optimistic outlook about the economy and North American manufacturing, which indicates a likely return to growth in 2013."

Alex Shikany, AIA’s Director of Market Analysis, said "the contraction in machine vision sales in 2012 was not surprising, as many companies reduced capital equipment expenditures late in the year." Shikany added, "Despite the decline, the industry’s historical trend-line still points upward."

AIA is part of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the not-for-profit umbrella association serving AIA, the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) and the Motion Control Association (MCA). For more information on AIA, visit Vision Online or contact AIA Headquarters at (734) 994-6088.

About the Author

Conard Holton | Editor at Large

Conard Holton has 25 years of science and technology editing and writing experience. He was formerly a staff member and consultant for government agencies such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and engineering companies such as Bechtel. He joined Laser Focus World in 1997 as senior editor, becoming editor in chief of WDM Solutions, which he founded in 1999. In 2003 he joined Vision Systems Design as editor in chief, while continuing as contributing editor at Laser Focus World. Conard became editor in chief of Laser Focus World in August 2011, a role in which he served through August 2018. He then served as Editor at Large for Laser Focus World and Co-Chair of the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar from August 2018 through January 2022. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at the Colorado School of Mines and Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.