Low cost machine vision systems extend manufacturing applications

Machine vision systems have been in industrial use for many years, to control processes and measure product quality. Until recently, the cost and complexity of vision systems has restricted its use to a few applications where the speed and accuracy of machine vision were essential, such as robot guidance, or automated assembly of complex electronics. New vision systems featuring low cost and ease of use have made the repeatability, speed and accuracy of machine vision available to a new, broad range of applications, promising significant improvements in product quality and process control