Machine vision components and systems sales in North America increased 5 percent in 2011 to nearly $1.9 billion, according to new figures released by global trade group AIA. Machine vision components, including smart cameras, grew 13 percent, while application-specific systems grew 2 percent, said Paul Kellett, AIA’s director of market analysis. He also said that the first half of 2011 was much stronger than the second half, when overall economic growth began to slow down. “The growth in machine vision sales in 2011 was consistent with the historical trend line of this market,” Kellett said. “Year after year, sales continue to increase along this trend line because of machine vision’s powerful value proposition of increased efficiency, enhanced product quality and greater cost containment.” “As vision becomes more critical to a growing number of industries, we expect to see continued growth in both manufacturing and nonmanufacturing sectors,” said AIA President Jeff Burnstein. For more information, visit: www.visiononline.org