ANN ARBOR, MI-Machine vision, a critical automation technology used for inspection, part tracking, robot guidance and process control among other applications, will be featured at Automate 2011 at McCormick Place in Chicago, March 21 to 24, 2011.

“Advances in machine vision have played an important role in helping companies achieve improved product quality in industries such as food and beverage, semiconductors, electronics, automotive and pharmaceuticals for decades,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of the Automated Imaging Association (AIA), the industry’s trade group.

“In recent years the technology has expanded into a wide variety of non-manufacturing industries such as security, lab automation, medical imaging, defense, and entertainment, which is why we’re seeing rapid growth on a global basis,” Burnstein added.

Another area where machine vision is making inroads is warehousing and distribution. Solutions for these industries will be explored at Automate because the event is collocated with ProMat 2011, the leading show for the materials handling and logistics industries.

Leading machine vision companies from around the world will exhibit at Automate 2011, showcasing their newest products. Among the exhibitors showing vision are Adimec, Advanced illumination, Basler Vision Technologies, CCS America, Edmund Optics, FLIR, The Imaging Source, JAI, Keyence, LMI Technologies, Matrox Imaging, MVTec, National Instruments, PPT Vision, Point Grey, Resonon, Schneider Optics, Spectrum Illumination, Teledayne Dalsa, Toshiba Teli, Vision Components and Z-Laser America.

System integrators will demonstrate how these products are incorporated into complete automation solutions. “Customers are looking for solutions, which is why you’ll see a pavilion dedicated to complete solutions right at the front of the show,” Burnstein noted.

Leading integrators in the pavilion showing vision will include ATS Automation, Cyth Systems, Decision Technology, Dunkley International, Phoenix Imaging and Sensor Control.

The Automate 2011 Conference provides several sessions designed to teach customers how to successfully apply vision. Additionally, there are basic and advanced courses that users and suppliers can take to earn AIA’s Certified Vision Professional designation.

“The Certified Vision Professional designation is becoming an important credential for individuals involved in developing vision solutions,” Burnstein explained. “Users and suppliers want to have their key people trained on the basic elements as well as the more advanced techniques. The Automate 2011 event is the first time we’re offering the advanced level courses and test and we look forward to further expansion of the CVP program in the future.” Burnstein said a special booth at Automate 2011 will focus on the CVP program as well as a new initiative aimed at certifying machine vision and robotics integrators at the company level.

Burnstein said advanced vision is also a key element of the Robonaut 2, the first human-like robot that recently was launched into space. This new development from NASA and General Motors will be featured in a special keynote on Tuesday, March 22 at Automate 2011.

For free show tickets to Automate 2011 as well as details on the conference sessions and CVP courses and tests, visitwww.automate2011.com.