The machine vision and imaging industry experienced strong growth in 2006, a trend that is expected to continue in 2007, according to a study published recently by the Automated Imaging Association (AIA) of Ann Arbor, Mich. The report, titled Machine Vision Markets — 2006 Results and Forecasts to 2011, indicates that the markets for cameras and smart cameras demonstrated the strongest rise in 2006, gaining a 16.8 and a 15.2 percent increase in revenue, respectively. Growth to a lesser extent materialized in revenues for optics, software and application-specific machine vision systems.

Although there was an increase in lighting unit sales, the revenue in this segment was down as a result of price reductions, according to the study. Growth in the lighting industry has been negatively affected in recent years by increased competition and the emergence of the LED. Revenue from imaging board sales has experienced negative growth as a result of a decline in average unit price because of discounting that is intended to lock in sales...

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