Apr 15 2008
Based on its recent analysis in the field of laser based three-dimensional (3D) vision sensors for industrial process monitoring and control, Frost + Sullivan recognizes LMI Technologies, Inc. with the 2007 North American Frost + Sullivan Award for Technology Leadership for its wide range of laser based 3D vision sensor models and configurations.
LMI brings to its customers the advantages of 30 years of vision sensor experience, signified by approximately 100 issued and pending patents. The company currently markets its wide range of vision sensors under the names LMI Selcom™, DynaVision™, FireSync™, and HexSight™, catering to a broad spectrum of application sectors such as wood manufacturing, rubber, automotive, robotic guidance, semiconductor, electronics, aluminum, and iron foundry industries. Apart from having a standard product line, the company also offers custom design and manufacturing of vision sensors for large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
“Machine vision systems have become indispensable to solve challenging applications, and serve in process optimization in industries,” says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Vishnu Sivadevan. “Vision sensors and machine vision products designed and developed by LMI have facilitated the rapid transition of machine vision from just 2D vision inspection to 3D vision.”
3D high speed laser line sensors manufactured by LMI are being used for inspection of geometry of products in the food industry. In addition, the sensors perform color inspection to identify abnormalities such as discoloration and bruises and also the presence of foreign objects.
The company’s sensors combine both detection of 3D dimensional geometry and color in one sensor package, in contrast to other vision systems that use separate cameras for detection of these parameters. This feature brings down the cost and complexity of the machine vision system.
LMI’s range of 3D laser line sensors, such as the Selcom EyeCon, comprises of dual cameras for high-speed, high resolution optical measurements. The sensor has been deployed for high speed inspection of automobile tires to detect small dimensional defects on sidewalls and treads of tires. The DynaVision chroma+scan 3300 sensor, created for the wood industry, combines color vision and 3D scanning. This has resulted in the production of higher value end products due to enhanced machine vision inspection, increasing return of investment for the user.
Further, coming as an advantage to machine vision integrators is the FireSync vision sensor platform, which is capable of synchronizing machine vision components to a completely in-line inspection process. The FireSync platform can be used to synchronize camera, illumination frames, encoders, and multiple vision sensors into the machine vision system. It also supports a modular design for machine vision components such as sensors, illumination, cameras, optics, and processors.
“The machine vision expertise of LMI across a broad spectrum of applications facilitated by flexible vision sensor and 3D sensor configurations places the company at a leading position in the technology area,” notes Sivadevan. “The manufacturing industry has adopted LMI vision technology in a large scale, producing increased return of investment as a direct consequence of the deployment.”
The breadth of ownership of intellectual property in the cutting-edge 3D laser-based vision sensor technology also substantiates the technology leadership of the company. The competitive advantage of LMI is best exemplified by the sale of 50,000 sensors, which the company has developed and delivered along with customers and partners since its inception. For its pioneering contributions and established leadership in laser-based 3D vision sensor technology, Frost & Sullivan is proud to present LMI with the 2007 North American Award for Technology Leadership.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this Award to the company that has pioneered the development and introduction of an innovative technology into the market; a technology that has either impacted or has the potential to impact several market sectors. The Award recognizes a company’s successful technology development that is expected to bring significant contributions to the industry in terms of adoption, change, and competitive posture.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.