Total machine vision sales in North America are down four percent year over year for the first nine months of 2012, according to new statistics from AIA, the industry's trade group. The decrease in total machine vision sales resulted primarily from the weakening of machine vision system sales through September 2012, which fell five percent. Despite the overall decline, certain machine vision components have enjoyed positive year-over-year growth through the first nine months of 2012: Imaging Boards (11%), Lighting (7%), and Cameras (1%).

"We are disappointed but not surprised to see a decline through September," said AIA President Jeff Burnstein. "Machine vision has typically tracked with the performance of manufacturing, which in four out of the last six months has contracted. Hopefully a resolution to the so-called ‘fiscal cliff' will bring expansion back to manufacturing, as companies feel more comfortable spending on automation."

Alex Shikany, AIA's Director of Market Analysis, added "While the first nine months of 2012 are down for machine vision thus far, industry experts are optimistic for the future. Recently, when surveyed about where the market was heading in the next six months, the majority of the experts believe sales will increase (49%) or stay flat (49%). Only two percent expect an overall decrease in performance of machine vision sales." AIA will report year end 2012 statistics at the 21st annual AIA Business Conference in Orlando, February 20-22, 2013.

AIA's Quarterly Machine Vision Sales Tracking Report is available free of charge to all AIA members participating in AIA's sales data program. In addition to its sales tracking report, AIA recently prepared a comprehensive Machine Vision Camera Market Study available at a discounted rate to AIA members. AIA also prepares studies on special topics, such as its soon-to-be-released study on Additive Manufacturing and Automation, which it makes available to all AIA members free of charge on its website, Vision Online.