(Frost & Sullivan: Mountain View, CA) -- The vision measuring machine rebounded strongly in 2010, a surge caused by the revival of the manufacturing and automotive sectors in North America and Europe. The trend continued in 2011, with unit sales of 8,000 to 10,000. In between 2010–2011, most participants witnessed a marked increase in sales, and many reported up to 60 percent to 70 percent above-average sales.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan finds that the market earned revenues of $346.6 million in 2011 and estimates this to reach $456.7 million in 2016. In this research, Frost & Sullivan’s expert analysts thoroughly examine the following markets: measuring microscopes, profile projectors, and multisensor systems.

The outlook for every market segment is positive, especially for multisensor systems, which currently accounts for 69.9 percent of total sales. The escalating competition among end users has made them focus on offering the best quality of products, creating a significant market for advanced and expensive metrology equipment.

“With a variety of equipment available in all price ranges, and with cost being proportional to quality, customers prefer systems that provide the best product within their budgetary allocation,” says Frost & Sullivan research associate Vigneshwaran Shanmugam. “The major end users of noncontact metrology systems include the electronic and industrial manufacturing segments.”

Acknowledging the demand for sophisticated equipment, vision measuring machine manufacturers need to keep raising the bar on technology development. Currently, there is minimal technological progress relating to hardware, with most changes restricted to aspects of specification such as accuracy, resolution, and speed of measurement.

On the other hand, software manufacturers are making rapid strides in introducing novel algorithms to their solutions portfolio for better speed and performance. To work around this issue, product vendors could collaborate with customers by tailoring their offerings to suit their needs.

“Due to the long shelf life of the majority of these products, new equipment purchases are few and far between,” notes Shanmugam. “Providing software upgrades with sizable functional upgrades and working closely with end users to develop customized solutions products will help improve sales.”

Analysis of the vision measuring machines market is part of Frost & Sullivan’s Test & Measurement Growth Partnership Services program, which also includes research in the following markets: world noncontact dimensional metrology market, European large-scale micro-metrology market, world optical digitizers and scanners, and world coordinate measuring machines markets. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

If you are interested in more information on this research, email Jeannette Garcia, Corporate Communications, sat jeannette.garcia@frost.com, with your full name, company name, job title, telephone number, company email address, company website, city, state, and country.