3D Machine Vision Market

Market Overview

The global 3D machine vision market size was valued at USD 1,711.12 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 5,926.42 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 14.8% during the forecast period (2023–2031).  Factors like the increasing need for quality inspection and implementation of advanced technologies by manufacturers drive market growth.

In 3D machine vision (MV) systems, one or more video cameras, digital signal processing, and analog-to-digital conversion enable a computer to view, examine, and analyze the task performance. The computer will then analyze the data and produce the desired result after it has been captured. In addition, two crucial components of any MV system are sensitivity and resolution. The resolution allows for object differentiation, while sensitivity refers to the machine's capacity to pick up on weak impulses or objects in the presence of low light or inaudible wavelengths. For example, these systems make it easier to monitor workplaces. It provides functionality for industrial applications like robotic guiding, process control, and autonomous inspection.

In addition, the human eye's ability to precisely detect, watch, and assess production operations is becoming more and more challenging as industrial production and manufacturing processes become more complex daily. This technology has primarily replaced manual inspection and measurement processes in industrial operations due to the growing demand for accurate and efficient inspection and measurement processes. Measurements and inspections are performed by machine vision systems, which use smart cameras and image processing.

Market Dynamics

Global 3D Machine Vision Market Drivers:

Increasing Need for Quality Inspection and Productivity

3D machine vision is a digitalized model of the location and shape of an object scanned. It involves a computer's ability to detect, inspect, and analyze work using one or more video cameras, analog and digital signal processing, and digital conversion. Moreover, in 3D machine vision systems, 3D imaging is done with either scanning or snapshot technologies. Through scanning technology, 3D images are created one after one by moving the object across the measurement area or by moving the camera over the object. Compared to human monitoring, the 3D machine vision system can inspect hundreds and thousands of parts per minute on the production line. Moreover, with human inspection, there is a high probability of committing errors during complicated and unstructured situations. Such errors will likely affect productivity, quality, and, ultimately, the output.

Furthermore, the main disadvantages of human inspection are long-term inconsistency, the need for rest after a period, slow speed than a machine, and variation among different inspectors. Therefore, 3D machine vision-based guidance and monitoring are efficient when a minute and keen observation is necessary for production. 3D machine vision also surpasses human vision due to inspection accuracy, speed, and reliability. As a result, the demand for 3D machine vision will likely grow over the forecast period.

Implementation of Advanced Technologies by Manufacturer

The market is expected to expand owing to the innovative development of computing technologies and image-sensing devices. With the help of technological advancements, 3D machine vision can handle multidimensional invisible information. Machine vision (MV) captures images and transfers them to a PC, which is processed for inspection. Advanced 3D machine vision (MV) technology includes vision-guided robotics, and smart cameras have a great scope in manufacturing.

Additionally, advanced 3D MV systems hold prominent applications across pharmaceuticals, manufacturing semiconductors, consumer electronics, medical devices, food and beverage, and consumer goods verticals. Recently, there has been rapid growth in industrial robots' use for automation in the automotive and consumer electronics sectors. This increases the need to integrate 3D machine vision systems with vision-guided robot controllers. 3D Machine vision systems improve robots' efficiency by enabling them to look and respond to their environments, driving the market's growth.

Global 3D Machine Vision Market Restraint:

Lack of Skilled Labour and Inconsistency in the End-User Requirements/Demands

The physical installation of 3D machine vision in small and medium-sized organizations can be tedious due to the differences in the end-user requirements and the difficulty of matching these requirements. Small manufacturing plants are likely to face specific issues regarding the physical installation of a vision system on account of space limitations. In addition, 3D machine vision requires high-flex cabling as robots perform repetitive tasks repeatedly. Lack of communication between the system developers and end-users may result in the inappropriate configuration of the vision systems. As such, these factors are predicted to cause an obstruction factor for the adoption of 3D machine vision. This, in turn, hampers the market's overall growth at an expected level over the forecast period.

Global 3D Machine Vision Market Opportunities:

Growing Popularity of the Machine Vision in Different Verticals

Machine vision has been prominently used in industrial settings and is now entering non-industrial sectors. The healthcare industry is adopting 3D technology for automation purposes. The products nowadays are assembled and packaged with greater efficiency with the help of a machine vision system. The group of technologies that can replace human involvement is installed in non-industrial sectors. Besides the healthcare industry, 3D machine vision is used in the pharmaceutical sector, wineries, breweries and other bottling plants, and gamma-ray or X-ray technology.

Furthermore, the 3D technology application in the food processing industry will likely drive the market over the forecast period. Installing a 3D machine vision sorting and inspection system in this sector has improved the output and reduced manual inspection costs. The manufacturing industry is witnessing a transformation by adopting automated processes at a notable pace to avoid human errors by reducing human intervention in manufacturing practices and related activities. As such, all these factors influence the demand for 3D machine vision and create lucrative opportunities for the market players to grow.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Based on region, the global 3D machine vision market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific is the most significant shareholder in the global 3D machine vision market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.7% over the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific regional market accounted for the largest revenue share and is expected to maintain its lead over the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to the lucrative opportunities in the region's automotive, packaging, pharmaceutical, and other industrial applications. Rapid implementation of robotic processes in Japan and China across all industries, mainly in automotive and consumer electronics, is another primary factor propelling the regional market demand. In the initial phases of COVID-19, the manufacturing industry vertical, one of the most prominent users of 3D machine vision systems, was also halted, so the market revenue declined.

Europe is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 12.4% over the forecast period. The wide array of industrial automation applications and several government initiatives towards developing advanced robotics for industries promote the Europe 3D machine vision market growth. In Germany, approximately half the sales of 3D machine vision systems producers are for parts inspection. In addition, metrological applications for 2D and 3D rose in Germany in 2020. Other critical applications include recognizing parts and characters, vision-guided robotic systems, and reading codes. The industrial sector in European countries is moving towards digital transformation. Furthermore, EU government incentives for the manufacturing industry, coupled with environmental regulations and safety standards to maintain the ecosystem balance drive the adoption of 3D machine vision systems in the region.

The North American market is expected to experience significant growth over the forecast period, primarily due to the concentration of critical vendors continuously working towards developing 3D technology-based machine vision systems. Factors such as the continued evolution of CMOS image sensors and the surge in demand for automation in industrial applications support regional market growth. The United States held the most significant market share in this region.

In addition, leading players in the market, such as Cognex Corporation and National Instruments Corporation, are the major contributor to the U.S. market revenue. The massive adoption of 3D machine vision systems in the manufacturing and healthcare industries in the U.S. is positively impacting the market growth in the region. Mexico is a well-established manufacturing sector. Furthermore, the country is attracting great investments in automotive, electrical, electronic, and semiconductor, among others, as a share of foreign direct investment (FDI). These investments will spur the region's demand for 3D machine vision systems.

The South American market is expected to experience significant growth over the forecast period. Factors such as rising awareness of advanced manufacturing, increasing demand from important verticals, and the growing consumer-centric attitude of manufacturers are majorly propelling the smart factory trend in South America. In the past few years, 3D machine vision in South America has experienced fast growth, mainly due to the availability of smart cameras. In addition, increasing penetration of Information Technology (IT) supports the smart factory floor's 3D machine vision systems application, driving the evolution of Industry in South America.

Middle Eastern countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa are shifting their focus and increasingly moving from the oil and gas sector to other manufacturing and services sectors, resulting in scope for manufacturing industries and modern automation solutions, and thus supporting significant demand for 3D machine vision in the region. South Africa is the leading economic power with a well-established domestic manufacturing industry across crucial sectors such as automotive. Hence, there is space for potential demand for 3D machine vision systems in the African region.

Segmental Analysis

The global 3D machine vision market is bifurcated into offering, product, application, and end-user industries.

Based on the offering, the global 3D machine vision market is divided into hardware and software. 

The hardware segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% over the forecast period. The major hardware components of a 3D machine vision system comprise lighting, lenses, image sensors, image processors, vision processors, and communications. The sensors, cameras, frame grabbers, and other components are vital hardware components of a machine vision system. Most of the 3D machine vision system hardware components are commercially off-the-shelf (COTS) available. Therefore, the 3D machine vision can be assembled through COTS or purchased as an integrated system consisting of all the hardware components integrated into a single system. Further, the hardware segment is divided into processors, cameras, lenses, frame grabbers, LED lighting, and optics.

Based on product, the global 3D machine vision market is divided into PC-based and smart camera based. 

The PC-based segment owns the highest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14.5% over the forecast period. PC-based 3D machine vision can interface directly connected cameras or image acquisition boards. These systems are well-supportive and configurable to the machine vision software for various applications. In addition, these systems harness the mass computing market for high-performance vision systems. They can handle complicated image processing operations ranging from a single PC and camera to multi-system, multi-camera configurations.

Additionally, PC-based 3D vision systems necessitate the interfacing between the camera and the computer. Specific interfacing standards in modern machine vision are based on several camera interface standards. Certain interfacing standards involve consumer ports residing within the PC, like USB or FireWire, whereas other interfacing standards require additional camera interface cards known as frame grabbers.

Based on application, the global 3D machine vision market is divided into quality assurance and inspection, positioning and guidance, measurement, and identification. 

The quality assurance and inspection segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14.5% over the forecast period. 3D Machine vision is helpful in several industries where quality control and quality assurance are essential. As these advanced vision inspection systems involve several technologies, they can be designed to perform a specified task to meet the desired operational results depending on the industrial vertical and its need. In addition, the industrial verticals deploying vision inspection systems consist of automotive, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and electronics, robotics, packaging, food and beverage, healthcare, medical imaging, and consumer goods. Quality control (QC) is recognized as a crucial application in several industrial verticals in their manufacturing processes owing to its ability to identify and rectify the deviation caused in the quality of the procured workpiece from that of the specified product quality.

Based on the end-user, the global 3D machine vision market is divided into automotive, electronics and semiconductor, printing and labeling, glass and metal, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, pulp and paper, food and beverage, postal and logistics, and others. 

The automotive segment owns the highest market share and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.6% during the forecast period. In the automotive sector, 3D machine vision is widely utilized for inspection tasks such as presence-absence checking, error proofing, assembly verification, and final inspection. Moreover, the measure, gauge, and guide applications category includes using the MV system for dimensional gauging, robotic guidance, and testing automation. As a result, there is a sizable need for automated imaging in the automotive industry, which is expected to keep increasing over the years.

Recent Developments

• January 2023- Percipio.xyz, a China-based leader in 3D machine vision, announced the completion of its Series C fundraising round. Percipio.xyz will primarily use the funds from this investment round to increase its market share and leadership and expand into international markets.

• February 2023- Deep Learning Robotics (DLR), a leading innovator in robotics and artificial intelligence, announced at the AI Week in Tel-Aviv the issuance of a new patent for a cutting-edge technology enabling the training of machine vision models with the aid of robotic devices to recognize the visual and 3D features of objects.