Machine vision sales in North America increased 11 percent to $1.04 billion in the first half of 2014, according to the trade group AIA.

Component sales grew 28 percent to $155 million, and systems sales grew 9 percent to $886 million.

While sales decreased for imaging boards, sales were up for every other component and systems category AIA monitors. Sales leaders were cameras, up 41 percent; smart cameras, 34 percent; lighting, 28 percent; and software, 20 percent.

AIA said the results were the best it had seen since it began tracking quarterly statistics in 2009.

“More North American companies are realizing the benefits of automating with machine vision, and that is a positive long-term sign for our industry,” said AIA President Jeff Burnstein.

However, AIA Director of Market Analysis Alex Shikany said a recent survey found that most AIA members believe the market will remain flat in the next six months.

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