Top 10 Machine Vision Solution Companies to Watch

Healthcare

Driving Businesses into the Future!

Asachild,Irememberthesheerzealof enthusiasmandexcitementinstilledinmy heartafterreceivingthegiftofananalog camerathattookdaystogetitsreelintoa photographicimage.Buttoday,digitalphotosare availableevenbeforethesnapofourfingers.

Thinkingofmerelytwentyyearsoftransformation, onemightthinkthatthetechnologyworldhascome alongway,anditistimethatwedriveoursight intothefutureandinnovatetechnologytoonce whatwasallegedtobeimpossible.

Conceptualizingimpossibility,onemightarguethat oncewhatwasreferredtoasimpossiblemightbe justalackofvision.Andthisargumentmightstand likeagospeltruthifonescoutaboutthe technologicalmarvelintroducedbyArtificial IntelligenceandMachineLearning.

Butthesedevelopmentsdonotjuststoparoundthe individualinventions,innovations,andcreativesolutions bybusinessesandindustrialists.Ifthisunderstanding triggerone,onemightveryeasilynoticethatthecreative innovationsbroughtbyAI-mediatedsolutionsin machinevisiontechnologyisourpromisingfuture.

Asatechnology,machinevisionhaselucidatedthatthe age-oldconventionallensesarethetalkofthepastand today-inthetechnologicalage,industriesareintegrating sensors,industrialcameras,andmanyotherbio-physical deviceswhileintegratingitwithAIsystemsand supportingitssuitablehardwarecombinations.

So,wheredoesthistechnologyworks? Thebestanswertothisinstigatingquestionisthecover storyinthisinsightfuledition,“Top10MachineVision SolutionCompaniestoWatch.”

WithOmronHealthcareonourCoverPage,wetake immenseprideinbringingupthecreativesolutions providedbytheinnovativeentrepreneursintheMachine VisionSegment.

Whileyouflipthroughtheseinspiringstories,ensureto readtheindustryexpertopinionalongwiththeinsightful articlesopinedbyourin-houseEditorialteam.

Ihopeyouhaveahappyread!

- Bhushan Bhad

Contents Contents

Rohil Shinganapurkar

CompanyName

Avnan avnan.com

Featuring

AnujJain CEO

CanadianSolarInc. canadiansolar.com

CIMtechMfg.Inc cimtechmfg.com

Dr.ShawnQu Chairman& ChiefExecutiveOfficer

PaulGhotra CEO

CreationTechnologies creationtech.com

CygnusElectronicsCorp cygnuscorp.com

ToddBaggett ChiefCommercial Officer

KingstecTechnologiesInc. kingstec.com

ad3

AzitaMajidian CEO

Brief

Avnanistheelectronicsmanufacturingsolutionthatempowers OEMstofulfilltheirdesign,validationandproductionneedsas quickly,cost-effectively,throughaseamless,stress-freeprocess.

CanadianSolarisasaglobalenergyproviderwithsuccessful businesssubsidiariesin20countries&regionson6continents.

CIMtechManufacturingisaprecisionCNCmachiningcompany providingServicesinCNCPrototypes,CNCproduction&Sub AssembledunitstoAerospace,Defence,Medical,Energy,Marine andElectronicsIndustries.

CreationTechnologiesisanaward-winningGlobalElectronics ManufacturingServicesprovider

MicroartServicesInc. microart.ca

WilsonChiu President MarkWood CEO

CygnusElectronicsCorporationprovidesqualityElectronic ManufacturingServices(EMS)fortheindustryOEMsandVARs.

MROElectronicSupply mroelectronics.com

OMRONHealthcare omron.com Wattco wattco.com

PhilStiles ManagingDirector

RobertSchneider

SeniorVicePresident ofCommercial Operations JasonToledano, CEO

Kingstecisaleadingengineering,manufacturingandlogistics businesspartnerservingcompaniesofallsizesinNorth AmericaandEurope.

MicroartServicesInc.isanelectronicmanufacturingand designservicescompanyprovidingcircuitdesign,PCBlayout, bareboardmanufacturing,PCBassembly,testingandboxbuild forproto-typeandlow-to-midvolumeproductions.

MROisaCanadianownedandoperated,smallsizeenterprise manufacturerofcustomconnectivitysolutions.

OMRONBPMareclinicallyvalidatedandmeetthehighest precisionandreliability.OMRONisatrustedbrandfromJapan withover45yearsofexperienceinhomeBPM.

Wattcomanufacturesacompletelineofflangeheaters, circulationheaters,tubularheaters, andimmersionheating elementsforawidevarietyofindustrialandcommercial applicationssince1969.

Coverstory

Empowering Consumers to Take Charge of Their Heart Health

For nearly 50 years, OMRON Healthcare has worked with consumers and empowered them to take charge of their health at home through precise technology.

Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations

Robert Schneider

Top 10 Machine Vision Soluon Companies to Watch

umansociety,initsentirety,isgoingthrougha massivetransformationduetotheCOVID-19 pandemic.Consumershavebecomemore consciousandinformedabouttheirphysicalhealththan beforewhileavoidinggoingtothehospitalandERto addresstheirmedicalconcerns,especiallyduringthepeak stagesofthepandemic.

Withthemotivetotakechargeoftheirwell-beingand bettermanagetheirhealthathome,individualsstarted monitoringthingslikebloodpressure,heartrate,etc.,on theirown.Peoplewereempoweredtodosowiththe assistanceofwearablemedicaldevicesthattrackedthings liketheuser'sheartrateandbloodpressure.

Oneprominentnameonthelistofcompaniesthatdesign thesestate-of-the-artmedicaldevicesisOMRON Healthcare,Inc.Sinceitsinception,OMRONhasbeen empoweringpeopletotakechargeoftheirhealththrough theiradvanceddevices.

Inthefollowinginterview,RobertSchneider,SeniorVice PresidentofCommercialOperationsatOMRON Healthcare,talksaboutthevarietyofproductsthatthe companyofferstoitsclients.

PleasebriefouraudienceaboutOMRONHealthcare,its USPs,andhowitiscurrentlypositionedasaleading playerintheHealthcareniche.

OMRONisthenumberonedoctorandpharmacistrecommendedbloodpressuremonitorbrand.Withnearly 50yearsofmedicaldevicecategoryleadership,weare passionateabouthelpingpatientsmonitortheirhealthat homeandapplyingthisknowledgeandexperienceto transformtheglobalhearthealthindustry

AtOMRON,weintroduceinnovative,connectedheart healthtechnologies,andfocusonimprovingpatienthealth outcomesthatserveasthenextsteptowardourmissionof Going for Zero,theeliminationofheartattacksandstrokes.

OurmostrecentinnovationisVitalSight™,thefirstremote patientmonitoringservicefromOMRON.It'sdesigned specificallyforbloodpressuremanagementanddeveloped tofostergreaterpatient-to-physiciancommunication.

WhatotherproductsdoesOMRONoffer,including MachineVisionsolutions,andhowarethesemakingan impactontheindustryandyourclients?

OMRONistheworld'sleadingmanufacturerand distributorofpersonalhearthealthproducts,whichincludes afullrangeofhomebloodpressuremonitors.

Highbloodpressureistheleadingriskfactorforheart attackandstroke.AccordingtotheAmericanHeart Association,116millionU.S.adultsareinthehypertensive

Our mission is Going for Zero – the elimination of heart attacks and strokes.

range,andtheCDCreportsthat37millionofthemhave uncontrolledStage2hypertensionwithahigherriskof heartattackandstroke.

AtOMRONHealthcare,weworktoreducerisk,improve outcomes,andsavelivesbyencouragingbehaviorchange andmakingasuitablebloodpressuremonitorforeachof theseindividuals.

Thepandemicraisedawarenessofhealthrisksrelatedto underlyinghealthconditionslikehypertensionandboosted motivationsforpeopletomanagetheirindividualrisks.

Consumersarebuyingmoreconnectedmonitoringdevices thaneverbefore,andit'satrendthat'sexpectedtocontinue overthenextyear AccordingtotheConsumerTechnology Association(CTA),shipmentsofconnectedhealth monitoringdevicessuchassmartthermometersandblood pressuremonitorsareexpectedtogrowto13millionunits, upto23percent,andearn$740millioninrevenuea17 percentjumpfrom2020.

AtOMRON,wehaveexpandedourdevelopmentand offeringofconnectedbloodpressuredevicesandrecently revampedourOMRONConnectapp,whichprovides patientswiththedigitalhealthtoolsandinsightstobetter understandtheircondition,storetheirdata,trackitover time,andshareitwiththeirdoctoriftheychoosetodoso.

TheOMRONConnectappmakesiteasytoviewyour healthmetricsanytime,anywhere.Syncingwirelesslyto

yoursmartphoneortablet,ourOMRONConnectapp providesreal-timecoachingtohelpyoumakesimple adjustmentsinyourdailyroutinetobenefityouroverall healthandreduceyourriskofheartattackandstroke.

Beinganexperiencedleader,shareyouropiniononthe adoptionofmoderntechnologiessuchasAIand machinelearninghadontheHealthTechspaceand whatmorecouldbeexpectedinthefuture?

We'reinanexcitingtimeofevolutionandgrowth.For nearly50years,OMRONHealthcarehasworkedwith consumersandempoweredthemtotakechargeoftheir healthathomethroughprecisetechnology.

Wehavedevelopedastandardbloodpressuremonitoringto helpconsumersstore,track,andsharetheirdata;digital heart-healthservicesforhighbloodpressure;remotepatient monitoringserviceslikeVitalSight;andwearenow workingonthefutureofhealthcaretoincorporateAI.

We'vecollaboratedwithdoctorsandcareteamsandgained tremendousinsightsonhumanbehavioranddoctor-patient relationshipstohelpthemwiththecaretheyprovideto theirpatients.

Recently,OMRONHealthcareannouncedanimportant milestoneinitsmissionof Going for Zero,withcumulative

We are also making a signicant investment into the rollout of VitalSight, an easy-to-use service that physicians can recommend to patients with high-risk levels of hypertension.

globalsalesofitshome-usebloodpressuremonitors reachingmorethan300millionunitsastheworld'sleading manufactureranddistributorofpersonalhearthealth products-andthenumberonedoctor-andpharmacistrecommendedbloodpressuremonitorbrand-OMRON Healthcarebloodpressuremonitorsareavailableinmore than110countriesaroundtheworld.

WerecentlyupgradedourOMRONConnectappthatworks withourconnectedbloodpressuremonitorstoprovide insightsandcoaching.Thathelpsourconsumersunderstand theirconditionandtakereal-timeactiontochangetheir behaviorandreducetheirrisk.We'realsobeginningto exploretherolethatAIcanplayinthisspaceandhelp consumersunderstandthatnomatterwheretheymightbe intheirhearthealthjourney,OMRONcanhelpthem improvetheirhearthealthandtheiroutcomes.

Takingintoconsiderationthecurrentpandemic,what initialchallengesdidyouface,andhowdidyoudrive yourcompanytosustainoperationswhileensuringthe safetyofyouremployeesatthesametime?

Thepandemicsignificantlyimpactedaccesstocare,andit alsosparkedanawakeningtothepoweroftelehealthand remotepatientcare.Manyphysicianofficesclosedor providedlimitedaccesstopatients.Emergencyroomswere fullofCOVID-19patients,andICUbedsbecamescarcein manypartsofthecountry.Manypeoplewerescaredtogo

AspertheCDC,emergencyroomvisitsdeclined42% duringtheearlymonthsoftheCOVID-19pandemic. Additionally,fourintenU.S.adultsreportedthatavoiding medicalcarebecauseofconcernsrelatedtoCOVID-19,and reportshadshownthatheartattackdeathratesmorethan doubledduringthepandemic,withfewerpatientsgoingto thehospitalwhentheywereexperiencingsymptomsofa cardiacevent.

OMRONwasalreadywellintothedevelopmentofourfirst remotepatientmonitoringservice,VitalSight,priortothe pandemic,andpilotprogramsfortheservicewerein motion.

AstheCOVID-19pandemicescalated,medicalexperts beganwarningthepublicaboutunderlyinghealth conditionsthatcarriedgreaterriskforcomplicationsfrom thecoronavirus.Oneoftheunderlyinghealthconditions thatwereidentifiedwashypertension.

AtOMRON,weplayedaleadroleinraisingawarenessof hypertensionasanunderlyinghealthconditionforCOVID19andinvestedsignificantlyinourdigitalengagement, encouragingpeopletomanagetheirhealthconditionsand reducetheirrisk.

Duringthepandemic,OMRONalsoinvestedsignificant effortsinbridginghealthgapsinunderservedcommunities thathavelongbeenimpactedbyhealthdisparities.

We started with 'basic' blood pressure monitoring – technology that allowed us to pioneer connected devices that helped people store, track, and share their data.

OMRONpartneredwiththeAmericanHeartAssociation (AHA),hospitalsystems,andchurchesinunder-resourced communitiestohostfreebloodpressuremonitoringand hearthealtheducationeventstobringresourcestoresidents andlistentotopneedstoaddressresourcegaps.

Thepandemicgaveallofusasenseofwhatit'sliketolive withhealthdisparities.Therearecommunitiesthathave existedwithlimitedaccesstocarefordecades.Andthose disparitiescontinuetocostlives.

Additionally,wedidourbesttoensurethehealthandsafety ofouremployees,quicklytransitioningtoworkingfrom home.Managersprioritizedtheirteams'healthandsafety andfocusedonkeepingthemengagedbyprovidinga work-from-homestipend,establishinganewsletter,and increasingthefrequencyofall-companymeetingsand questionnairestogaugeemployeesentiment.

Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothehealthcaresolutions market?

Myadviceistolistentotheneedsofthemarket–really payattentiontopatients,consumers,physicians–whatdo theyneed,whataretheirtopchallenges?AtOMRON,we havebeenlisteningtotheneedsofthemarketsinceday one.Westartedwith'basic'bloodpressuremonitoring–technologythatallowedustopioneerconnecteddevices thathelpedpeoplestore,track,andsharetheirdata.

Asdigitalservicesevolved,welauncheddigitalhearthealthservicestoprovideevenmorepersonalized, actionabledata.Then,weintroducedHeartGuide™,the firstwearablebloodpressuremonitor,in2018,followed withComplete™,thefirstbloodpressuremonitorswith built-inEKGforuseathome,andwewereabletocomeup withserviceslikeVitalSight,ourfirstremotepatient monitoringservice,whichmeetspatientsandconsumers toppainpoints,isdesignedspecificallyforhypertension management,anddevelopedtofostergreaterpatient-tophysiciancommunication.

Fornearly50years,wehavebeenattheforefrontof technologicalinnovationsinhearthealthandmedical devicecategoryleadership.

AtOMRON,wegettotalktoentrepreneursallthetimeand listentopeopleinthespace.Ourmissionis Going for Zero –theeliminationofheartattacksandstrokes.Thisisatthe heartofeverythingthatwedo,everyproductwelaunch, andeverypartnershipweform.

Whenwelaunchedour Going for Zero mission–andmade savinglivesourquest–wechangedhowwetrainour employees,howandwhyweinvestinproduct development,andhowwemeasuresuccess.Forus,success isallaboutoutcomes.That'stheultimatemetric.

Weseekstrategicpartnershipstoaccomplishourmissionas wedidwithAliveCor,whichcombinesstrengths,resources, andtechnologiestoreducerisks,improveoutcomesand savelives.

Forthosebuddingentrepreneursventuringintothe marketplace,listentotheneedsofthemarket,thinkbigand standforsomethingadmirable,andbuildsolutionsaround thoseinputs.

AtOMRON,welistentohearhowpatientsarestruggling andhowwecaninterceptthisstruggle.Listentoseewhere doctorsareencounteringproblemsandhowa service/technologycanhelpsolvetheseproblems.Address wherehealthgapsexistandhaveexistedforfartoolong andwhereyoucanmakeasignificantdifferenceinhelping bridgethesegaps.

At OMRON, we listen to hear how patients are struggling and how we can intercept this struggle.

Howdoyouenvisionscalingyourcompany'soperations andofferingsin2022andbeyond?

We'regoingtocontinuetoseeincredibledemandformore remotecaretools–moreconnectedhealthdevices,smarter appsthatcoachonreal-timeaction,andremotepatient monitoringservicestohelpthosefacingthehighestrisks.

AtOMRON,wewillcontinuetoanticipate,prepare,and respondtothesurgingneed–wewillpartnerwithour retail,wholesale,anddistributorchannelcustomers,listen totheconsumer,innovatetobringnewvalue,andgiveour patientsandphysicianstoolsandtechnologiesthataddress theirneeds.Disruptionsintheglobalsupplychainarealso anissuethatwearecloselymonitoringandtakingaction on.

Wearealsomakingasignificantinvestmentintotherollout ofVitalSight,aneasy-to-useservicethatphysicianscan recommendtopatientswithhigh-risklevelsof hypertension.Patientsreceiveakitdeliveredtotheirhome thatincludesanOMRON-connectedbloodpressure monitoranddatahubthatarepre-settosecurelyshare measurementswiththepatient'sphysicianandcareteam.

VitalSightcanbeintegrateddirectlywiththeclinician's ElectronicMedicalRecord(EMR)systemorthroughthe OMRONVitalSightDashboard.VitalSightsendsautomatic notificationsthroughtheEMRthatsignalwhenapatient hasreadingsthatindicateifactionneedstobetaken.

Expandingthisservicewillgetusclosertoour Going for Zero mission–theeliminationofheartattackandstroke.

OMRONispartneringwiththemostforward-thinking hospitalsystemsintheU.S.,includingNorthwestern MedicineintheChicagoarea.Earlyfeedbackfrom physiciansshowsthatVitalSightisquicklyhelpingdoctors improveengagementwithpatientsontheirtreatmentplans.

DataanalysisofparticipantsusingtheOMRON HypertensionManagementPlatform(OHMP)duringthe VITALtestshowedthathypertensionandcardiovascular treatmentmedicalexpensesdroppedbyanaverageof46% intheOMRONgroupvs.control,anaveragereductionof $108perpatientpermonth.

ComprehensiveLeadership

AsSeniorVicePresidentofCommercialOperationsat OMRONHealthcare,Inc.,RobertSchneideroverseessales, marketing,productstrategy,customerservice,andsupply chainoperations.

Withmorethan30yearsofexperienceworkinginthe healthcareindustry,Mr.Schneiderhasprovidedleadership andstrategyforOMRONHealthcare'scommercial operations,allofwhicharevitalinadvancingthe company'smissionof Going for Zero, theeliminationof heartattackandstroke.Priortohiscurrentrole,Mr. Schneiderheldvariouspositionsinmarketing,operations, andfinanceatbothOMRONandBaxterHealthcare.

Havingastrongmanufacturingsectoristhemost importantcomponentforthegrowthand developmentofanynation.Withoutthisgrowth anddevelopment,anationexperiencesstunted comprehensiveprogress.

Improvingphysicalinfrastructure,fromsupplychain managementtothepowersector,isessentialforthegrowth ofthemanufacturingsector.Avnanisanexemplary companythatstrivestoprovidecustomerswithbest-inclasselectronicsdesignandglobalmanufacturingsolutions, mitigatingrisksintheoverallsupplychain.

Thecompanyprovidestailoreddesignandengineering solutionsthatmeettheuniquerequirementsofcustomers.It offersaprovenprocessandengineeringskillstogetthejob donewithprovenexpertise.

ProvidingBestPossibleProductfromDesigntoDelivery

AvnanisanOntario-basedelectronicsmanufacturing solutionthatempowersOriginalEquipmentManufacturers (OEMs)tofulfilltheirdesign,validationandproduction needsquicklyandcost-effectively,throughaseamless, stress-freeprocess.Thecompanyisflexibleenoughto supportstartupsandestablishedbrands.

Avnanhelpscustomersbysimplifyingandmanagingthe supplychaintransparently,aimingtoprovidethebest possibleproductfromdesignthroughassemblyand delivery.AsanISO9001-certifiedcompany,theyare committedtothehighestqualitystandards.

FacilitatingHigh-qualityProduction

WithlocationsintheUS,Canada,India,China,andHong Kong,andanetworkofmanufacturingpartnersworldwide,

Avnancanofferflexiblesolutionsthatmakeiteasyfor OEMstoproducehigh-qualityproductsaffordablyand safely Thatflexibilityiskeyintimeswhenthereare componentshortages,supplychaincomplications,andnew orcomplextariffs.Notonlycantheyhelpcompanies choosetherightlocationtomanufacturetheirproduct,but theycanalsoquicklymoveproductionifcircumstances change.

What'smorenoteworthyisthatAvnanhasanexperienced teamsupportingsupplychainmanagement.Thisteamhas beenabletohelpcustomersnavigatedelaysandshortages successfullyinthepastyear,mitigatingalotofpotential damage.

ExpertisethatInspires

AnujJain,theCEOisthedrivingforceofAvnan'svoyage towardsbusinessexcellence.AnujisanexperiencedCEO withademonstratedhistoryintheelectricalandelectronic manufacturingindustry.Hehasover20yearsofexperience inleadinganentrepreneurial,high-growthbusiness.Heis passionateaboutempoweringpeopleandskilledat motivatingthemtoachievetheirbest.

Avnanbeganasafamilybusiness,andAnujtookthereins fromhisfather.Hesays, "Being part of a 25-year-old company, from its inception, teaches you a lot of lessons, particularly in telling you where your strengths and weaknesses lie." WhenAnujfirstbeganmanagingthe company,hefeltlikeheneededtocontroleverything.Now, hisgreatestcontributionhasbeenlettinggo.Anujhashired expertstoheadeachdepartment—includingaCOO—and hegetsoutofthewayandletsthemdotheirjobs.That freeshimuptofocusonthecompany'sstrategicvisionand growth,includingsomefutureacquisitions.

BeingStrategicinLong-termThinking

Anujsaysthatthepandemicobviouslyhadatremendous impactonthesupplychain.Avnanhasseenalotof shippingdelaysandcomponentshortages.Thepandemic alsoforcedmanufacturingbusinessestogetverycreative andveryresourceful–includingthemselves.Theyhave neededtobecomeevenmorestrategicintheirlong-term thinkingfortheirclientsandtolookforalternatives.

Anothershiftthat'sresultedfromthepandemichasbeenthe focusonhomeimprovementandcomfort.Sinceeveryone hasbeenonlockdownforatleastsomepartofthepast year,there'sbeenalotofinnovationaroundhome improvementandmakinglivingspacesmorecomfortable. AtAvnan,theyhavedecadesofexperienceinHVAC,as wellasERVandHRV,andtheyareleveragingthat expertisetodriveinnovationinindoorairquality(IAQ). IAQhasbecometop-of-mindaspeoplelooktonotonly maketheirhomesmorecomfortablebutalsosafer At Avnan,theyarekeepingtheireyeontheshiftingmarket whileinvestingtimeandenergyintoIAQ.

ImplementingLatestTechnologies

Anujbelievesthatitisabsolutelycriticaltoalignone's businesswiththelatesttechnologicaldevelopment, especiallyintheirwork.Intheelectronicsspace,theyhave tobringnewideastotheirclients,whetherthatmeans connectinganexistingproducttotheInternetofThings (IoT),addingvoicecontrols,orintegratingtouchscreens. Forthem,focusingonIAQ,theyreallyhavetothinkabout howtheyaregoingtoinnovatefortheend-userandmake theirairqualitybetter,withintelligence,elegance,andease.

RethinkingApproachtoManufacturing

Anujbelievesthatthereissomuchopportunityfor innovationanddisruptioninmanufacturing.Headvises aspiringentrepreneursinthemanufacturingbusinessshould focusondisruption.HissuggestionisthattheybringinAI, robotics,3Dprinting,andrethinkeverything."We'reso soldonthenarrativethatalltheopportunitiesforovernight successareindigital,"hesays. "Butrapidgrowthis possibleinmanufacturingtoo."Anujrecommendsto aspiringentrepreneursthatthecustomizedmanufacturingis agreatareatolookatforgrowth,especiallywiththe lessonsfromthepandemicabouttheabilitytopivot quickly.

Top

Soluon

InnovatingandGrowingAsMarketDemands

Avnan'sabilitytobenimblehasbeenitsstrengthoverthe yearsandwillcontinuetocontributetoitsgrowth.Itisina spacewherethere'salotofcommoditization,soadding valueiskey.Itsteam'sengineeringanddesigncapabilities havelayeredintremendousvalue,ashaveitsproject managerswhohavebeenabletonavigatesomany unforeseensupplychainissuesoverthepastfewyears.And yet,ascompetitiveasthemarketis,Avnanisstillprojecting growth.Therewillalwaysbeaneedforengineeringand manufacturing,andatAvnan,theyarepreparedtoinnovate andgrowasthemarketdemands.Oneareatheyhaveset theirsightsonforgrowthistheirownbackyard.Theyknow Canadawillbenefitbothfinanciallyandintermsofsecurity byhavingmoremanufacturingcapabilitiesin-country,and theywanttocontributetothat.

“Renewableenergywillhelpendourrelianceonfossil fuelsandcombattheseverethreatthatclimatechange posestohumansandwildlifealike.”–FrancesBeinecke, EnvironmentalActivistandPolitician

AVisionofChange

hewholeworldisbeingcompelledtopivotto

Trenewablesourcesofenergy.Deteriorationofthe environmentisonereasonenoughforusto understandtheimportanceofmakingsubstantialchangesin thewaywelookatconsumptionofenergyderivedfrom fossilfuels.

SolarPower—althoughsmall—isbeingrapidlyadoptedas asourceofelectricityinCanada.Asperthedatarecorded bytheGovernmentofCanada,thecapacityoftheSolarPV industryinCanadain2018was3,040MW.TheNational EnergyBoardprojectsthatsolarelectricitywillamountfor 1.2%ofthecountry’stotalenergyoutputandconsumption by2040.

Companiesoperatinginthesolarpowernichehave ceaselesslyemphasizedontheadoptionofcleanenergy. Throughcontinuoustechnologicalinnovationand development,thesecompanieshaveopeneddoorsto numerouspossibilitiesofattainingthisadoption.

OneprominentnameamongsuchcompaniesisCanadian SolarInc.,aleadingmanufacturerofsolarPVmodules, inverters,andaproviderofsolarenergysolutions.Withits headquartersinGuelph,Canada,thecompanyisaglobal energyproviderwithsuccessfulbusinesssubsidiariesin20 countries&regionson6continents.

CanadianSolarInc.wasfoundedbyDr.ShawnQu,the Chairman,PresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficer,witha boldvisionofbringingsolarenergyintothousandsof householdsandbuildingabetterearthforthenext generations.Over14,000dedicatedemployeesofCanadian Solarstriveeachdaytomakethisvisionareality.

Thecompanyhastwomainlinesofbusiness.Theprimary linebeingmanufacturingandsaleofsolarproductsand services.Thesecondarybeingenergy–thedevelopment, construction,andsaleofsolarPVprojects,workingwith bothbuild-to-sellandbuild-to-holdbusinessmodels.

“Wehavegrownintooneoftheworld’slargestsolar photovoltaicproductsandenergysolutionsproviders,as wellasoneofthelargestsolarpowerplantdevelopers globally Wehavecumulativelydeliveredover55GWof solarmodulestothousandsofcustomersinmorethan150 countries,enoughtomeetthecleanandgreenenergyneeds ofapproximately14millionhousehold,”saysDr.Qu.

ExemplaryBusinessExcellence

CanadianSolar’scomprehensiveproductportfoliocan efficientlymeetcustomers’solarneedswithleadingPV moduletechnology Toensurethatcustomersalwaysgetthe bestqualityproduct,thecompany’ssolarpanelsgothrough astaggering442qualitycontrolpointsrightfromraw materialtoproductdelivery.

CanadianSolarisatotalsolutionprovider,withateamof expertscoveringProjectDevelopment,EPC,O&M,and AssetManagement.Itwasvoted#1modulesupplierforthe bestprice/performanceratioworldwidebyIHSMarkit’s customersurvey.Thecompanyisalsodedicatedtomaking thedifferencewhereveritoperates,whichiswhyithas waterandrawmaterialrecyclingprogramsinitsfactories andPVmodulerecyclingpartnershipintheUS,Australia, andEurope.

TheChangemaker’sJourney

Dr.ShawnQufoundedCanadianSolarin2001tofoster sustainabledevelopmentandtocreateabetterandcleaner earthforfuturegenerationsbybringingelectricitypowered bythesuntomillionsofpeopleworldwide.

UnderDr.Qu’sleadership,CanadianSolarhasgrowninto oneofthelargestsolarphotovoltaicproductsandenergy solutionsproviders,aswellasoneofthelargestsolarpower plantdevelopersglobally.Thecompanyhascumulatively deliveredover55GWofsolarmodulestothousandsof customersinmorethan150countries,enoughtomeetthe

clean,greenenergyneedsofapproximately14million households.

Sharinghisadvicetothoseaspiringtoventureintothesolar manufacturingbusiness,Dr.Qusays,“First,findsomething youhavepassionin.Ipersonallylikesolarindustry,asit providesgreenenergyandbenefitsthewholehumanrace. ThehardworkIputinnotonlygavememonetarypayback, butalsospiritualaccomplishments.”

“Second,findsomethingyouhaveexperiencein.Inthe manufacturingbusiness,experienceisimportant.Youmust workinitforquiteaconsiderableamountoftimetobeable tofindsomethingspecialtostartwith.Last,findsomething youcandodifferently.Youneedtofindyourown differentiationatthebeginning,”Dr.Quexpresses.

OpinionsthatMatter

WeaskedDr.ShawnQuforhisopinionontheimpactof thecurrentpandemiconthemanufacturingbusiness,to whichhesaid,“Whiletheevolutionofthepandemicis deeplydistressing,atCanadianSolar,werecognizethatitis

Dr. Shwan Founder, Chairman, President and CEO

moreimportantnowthaneverforustostaystrong,calm, rational,andaboveall,safe.AtCanadianSolar,wefirmly standinsolidaritywithouremployees,customers,and partnersaroundtheworld.Thereisahugeimpacton economies,businesses,industries,andsociety.”

“Forexample,inflationarypressuresonthemanufacturing industry,includingsolar;delayedcapacityexpansionplans forallcommoditiesduringCOVID—capacityrestarttakes timeleadingtotemporaryshortageofcertainrawmaterials includingpolysilicon;temporaryimpactaslotsofupstream capitalinvestmentduetoattractivemargins—eventually restoreamorebalancedsupplyanddemand.”

“However,solarisstillthemostattractivesourceofenergy withlowestLCOE(levelizedcostofelectricity)andcarbon

footprint.Theglobalweighted-averagesolarPPApricefor solarfarmscommissioningin2021is$0.039perkWh, whichischeaperthanfossilfuelgenerationinmost countries.”

“800GWoffossilfuelcapacityisexpectedtoretireinthe nextdecade,and2,700GWinthenextthreedecades.So, theinnateeconomicsforsolarenergyisverystrong.When youlookatitintermsofclimateimpact,itisthebest solutiontotheeconomic,ecological,andsocialparity problemsweface–pandemicsituationornot,”addsDr. Qu.

Expressinghistakeontheimportanceofaligningone’s businesswiththelatesttechnologicaldevelopments,Dr.Qu says,“Inthelastseveralyears,theindustryenvisagedrapid changesintechnologies,forinstance,fromaluminumback

surfacecelltoPERCcell,andfromfull-cellmonofacial moduletobifacialhalf-cellmodules.Thistechnological developmenttransformedthewholeindustryandtheones leadingthesechangesbenefitedthemost.”

“Inthefollowingyears,weexpectnewtechnologieswill continueemergingasbefore.CanadianSolariscommitted todevelopingadvancedandbeneficialtechnologiesinthe wholevaluechainandtransformthosetoproductsand servicestobenefitourcustomers,”expressedDr.Qu.

VoyagingtowardsaBetterFuture

TalkingabouthisvisionforsustainingCanadianSolar’s marketcompetencyinthecomingyears,DrQusays, “Innovationisakeyforourbusiness.CanadianSolarholds over2,500authorizedpatentsworldwideandhave3,500 patentsawaitingapprovaluntiltheendofMarch2021. From2020,therehasbeenashifttolargerwafersizesand modules,whichhasbeenamajordriverintherapidgrowth ofthetopendofsolarmodulewattranges.”

“However,Ithinkweshouldcontinuetoseefurther evolutionincelltechnologytoincreasethecellefficiency. Infact,wesetnewworldrecordsformulticrystallinecell efficiencythreetimesinthepastyears.Thetrickistodoit cost-effectivelyandreliablyatscale,whichweareworking on.”

“ThelatestexampleistheQ1productionofourfirstN-type heterojunction(HJT)solarcellfromourneweststate-ofthe-art250MWpilotline.Ourteamsarerapidlyimproving

thecellconversionefficiencyofthesenewcells,andwe expecttostartdeliveringourfirstcutting-edgeHJTsolar modulesinthethirdquarterthisyear,”saysDr.Qu.

CanadianSolarhasbeentransitioningfromapuresolar modulemanufacturertoanintegratedsolarsystemsolution provider,andprojectdevelopmentsince2009.Withthe company’sexpandingproduct,serviceportfolio,and expertiseteam,itcanprovidecustomerswithatrueone stopsolution,offeringintegrateddesign,fasterdeployment, andlowersystemcost.

TheteamatCanadianSolarareoftheopinionthatenergy storagewillbeacriticalenablerofthesolarenergymarket goingforward.Inthisaspect,thecompanyhasnearly doubleditstotalstorageprojectdevelopmentpipelineand expectsthispositivemomentumtocontinue,whichshould greatlyenhancethevalueofitsdevelopmentpipeline.

Thecompanyfurtherstrengtheneditscompetitiveposition withitsrecentstrategicpartnershipwithAIEnergyStorage OptimizationCompanycalled Habitat Energy,whichwill leverageCanadianSolar’sglobalscaleandplatform,while helpingitimprovethesoftwarecapabilitiesofitsbattery storageprojects.

“Asalways,CanadianSolarisattheforefrontof developingandcommercializingtheenergyinnovations thatmattertoourcustomers,”concludesDr.Qu.

The ofFUTURE MACHINE Vision Technology

Repetitivetasksbecomeboringwithtime,nomatter howexcitingtheymayseematthebeginning.Isn’t it?Thedescendinginterestinrepetitivework affectsthequalityandproductivityofthecompany.Tothis, thequestionarises,howhavehumansmadethese monotonoustasksinteresting?

Humansareknownasthemostintelligentbeingsonearth. Andwiththisintelligence,humansarereadytocreate groundbreakingsolutionsforeveryotherchallengeinthe world.Technologywillbethekeyinstrumentinthehands ofhumansinpioneeringthesesolutions.

Globalbusinessesareslowlyandsteadilyrealizingthe potentialoftechnology Thewideimplementationof technologyacrossindustriesisasignthattheindustry4.0 erahasbegun.Asautomationistheindustry’stopmost focus,MachineVisionTechnology(MVT)willhavea majorroletoplayinmakingindustrialautomationinto reality.

MachineVisionTechnology

Machinevisionisatechnologythatcombinessoftwareand hardwaresystemstoprovideoperationalguidancetothe devicesinordertoperformtheirfunctionsbasedon capturingandprocessingimages.

Whatcanmachinevisiontechnologydo?Theshortanswer isthatitcansavelivesattheirfullpotential.For automation,machinesmustinteractandcollaboratewith eachotherandtheotherobjectsaroundthem.Thiscoworkingbetweenthemachinesislargelydependentupon machinevisiontechnology

TheSignificanceofMVTinAutomation

Thefutureoftheindustryliesinautomation.Automation canbeappliedinmanypartsoftheworldasitreduces humanerrors,enhancesproductivity,andensuresthesafety oftheworkforce.

Industrialautomationisdependentonthelearningabilityof themachines.Themachinemustbeabletorecognize, count,evaluate,anddecodetheobjectsplacedbeforeit. Thesefeaturesenablemachinestoworkonassignedtasks quicklywithoutcausinganyerrors.

Today,machinevisiontechnologyispartofmanyindustries worldwide.Itiswidelyusedinsemiconductors,electronics, pharmaceuticals,packaging,medicaldevices,automotive, andconsumergoods.

Duetoitswidepotentialacrossindustries,machinevision technologyhasbecomethemajorareaforresearchers, developers,andcompaniestoworkonacrosstheworld.

Below are some areas where machine vision technology will play a significant role in the future.

MakingFactoriesSmarter

Machinevisiontechnology,rightfromitsbeginning,has beenknownforcontinuallyimprovingpriceand performanceratios.Today,machinesarecapableofquickly andaccuratelycompletingsimpleandcomplextaskswithin ashorttime.Astheybecomeintelligentwiththeadditionof visiontechnology,machineswillneedlittleornohuman interventionincompletingthetask.

Withthepreprogrammedinstructions,theycananalyzethe taskmuchfasterwithouthumanassistance.Theinclusionof machinevisiontechnologyinfactoryoperationsmakes factoriessmarter,moreefficient,enhanced,andsafer

IndustrialRobotization

Mostmanufacturersarelookingforwaystoinvolverobots inrepetitiveandriskyproductionprocesses.Machinevision isthekeyfeatureofrobotics.Thelatestmachinevision facilityisamustforindustrialrobotstoworkbetterand fasterwithlittleornohumanintervention.

Robotsalreadyenablefaster,cheaper,andbetter performingautomationacrossindustrialsettings.For example,qualityassessmentprocesses,usuallyscheduledat regularintervals,arewell-suitedforcomingunder automationusingrobotswithmachinevision.

SupportingHealthcareOperations

Thehealthcaresectorisalreadyimplementingmachine visiontechnologyinitscomplicatedprocesses.As technologyimproveswithtime,machineswillbeableto assistmedicalprofessionalsinperformingcomplex operationsandsurgerieswithmuchmoreeaseand accuracy

Theotherbenefititwillprovideisthatwithamerephotoor video,themachinewillbeabletodetectthehealthproblem thatpersonisgoingthrough.Doctorswouldbeableto diagnosepatients’illnessesremotelywiththehelpof machinevision.Themachinevisiontechnologyprovedits utilitywhenitwasusedtodetecttheCOVID-19symptoms.

SecurityandSurveillance

Thesedays,videosurveillancecamerascanbefound almosteverywhere–inoffices,banks,hospitals,parking lots,malls,airports,andmore.Theyaredeployedtosustain relativepeaceandreducecriminalincidents.

ThesecameraswithAIcapabilitieshelptracktheactivities happeningonthepremisesandcheckandreportifany suspiciousactivitiesarehappening.Theyarealsohelpfulin seeingifthehealthcareprotocolsareallowedornot. Machinevisioncansignificantlyhelpinminimizingthe securityrisksfacedbyorganizations.

TheFutureMarketforMVT

Nearlyeveryotherindustrycanutilizethepowerof machinevisionsinceitprovidestheabilitytoexecutethe taskwithcompleteaccuracy Themanufacturingindustry

currentlyusestechnologywidelytospeedupitsoperations anddeliverthebestqualityproducts.Inaddition,itisalso usedtoperformquantumoperations.

Amarketsurveywebsite(marketsandmarkets.com)study suggeststhattherevenueoftheMVTwas$11billionin 2021andisprojectedtoreachUSD15.5billionby2026,at aCAGRof7.0%duringtheforecastperiod.

TheBottomLine

Allthingsconsidered,itcanbesaidthatthefutureof machinevisionlooksbright.Ithasthepotentialtobecome anequalalternativetothehumaneye.Thetechnologywill beabletoprovideon-demandassistanceinlearning, analyzing,andprocessingthedatawithminimalorno possibilityoferror

Fromtheeasiesttaskstothemostcomplicatedones, machinevisionwillbeabletoautomatethemasitimproves withtime,enablinghumanstorealizethefullpotentialof thetechnology.

- Vishal Golekar

ComputerNumericalControl(CNC)hassweptthe worldofmanufacturingwithitsprecision,quick deliveryandcost-effectiveness.Thisautomated controlofmachinetoolswiththehelpofcomputerhas shownvastimprovementincomparisontonon-computer machining.

Onesuchcompanythathasrevolutionizedthe manufacturingspacewithitsefficientautomatedsolutions canmoveyourcompanyintoafullyautomatedoneis CIMtechMfg.Theyareleadingthewayfor manufacturing,acompanywithareputationfor lowering your part costs.CIMtechMfg.,hasalreadystarted embracing INDUSTRY 4.0 smartmanufacturinginitiatives.

ItisoneofNorthAmerica'spremiereCNCmachineshops andspecializeinafullscopeofservicessuchas:CNC Machining,PrototypingMachining,ProductionMachining, SheetMetalFabrication,Sub-AssembliesandCMM ServicesforAerospace&Defence,Energy,Consumer Products,Healthcare,Automotive,Aerospace,Defence, Medical,Hi-TechElectronicsandTransportationsectors.

CIMtechMfg.,hastheexperience,resources,and managementcapabilitytoensurethesafeandsuccessful completionofeveryjob.Oneofthestrengthsofthe companyisadvancedmanufacturingprocessesand techniques–butittacklesprojectslargeorsmall,simple,or complex.Thecompanyutilizesstate-of-the-arthighspeed CNCequipment,andisalwaysfocusedonfindingsmarter andmorecreativewaystogetthejobdonequicklyand efficiently

TheHistory

CIMtechMfg.,isawell-establishedmanufacturing companywithareputationfordeliveringqualityandvalue. IthasbecomeoneofleadingCNCMachineshopsopening itsdoorsin2000.Thecompany'suniquecombinationof

manufacturingengineeringsolutionsandprecisionCNC machiningexpertisecandeliveryourCNCmachined projectsinalltypesofmetals,plastics,andexoticmaterials.

Therefore,itslongstandingestablishedhistoryoftwo decadesisatestamenttoitsdedicationtoitscustomersand conductingbusinesswiththehighestethicalstandards.

Withover20+yearsinoperation,CIMtechhasearneda reputationforprovidinginnovativeandcost-effective solutionsthatsaveclientsbothtimeandmoney;having effectivesystems,processes,andpoliciesinplace;and havingaprojecthistorythatdemonstratesadepthof expertiseandexperience.

Mission

Thecompany'smissionservesastheindustrystandard againstwhichitweighsitsactionsanddecisions.

· TospecializeinCNCMachining,fromprototypeto production.

· Toattractandretainqualitypeoplethroughrecruitment, training,andeffectiveprocesses.

· Tofosteracorporateculturewhereitspeoplehaveasafe andrewardingworkenvironment.

· Todeliverprojectsonscheduleandonbudget.

· TooptimizeresourcesusingDigitalWorkflow–ERP software.

· Toseekbusinessopportunitiesthatoptimizeandgrow CIMtechmulti-disciplinarycapabilities.

· Toestablishanddevelopstrategicpartnershipsthatmeet orexceedcustomerrequirements.

Vision

CIMtechMfg.,willbeanindustryleaderinproduct developmentfromconcepttomanufacturingforHigh-Tech andFuelCellcompaniesinNorthAmerica.

Top 10 Machine Vision Soluon Companies to Watch

Keyfocusondevelopingproductswhichenhancepeople's lifestylewithcommitmenttoquality,constantinnovation, andrespectfortheplanet.

Values

Thecompany'sValuesserveasamoralcompassforits actionsandguidehowitbehaveseverydayandensureits actionsreflectwellonitself,itscolleagues,anditsclients. CIMtechcorevaluesare:

· Integrity–Thequalityofbeinghonestandhavingstrong moralprinciples;moraluprightness.

· Excellence–Commitmenttoexcellenceandbuildingwith quality

· Commitment–Dowhatwesaywearegoingtodo.

· Entrepreneurship–Continuallyseekoutopportunitiesto innovate,tobechallengedandtogrow.

· Accountability–Beleaderswhotakeresponsibilityand ownershipforwhattheydo.

DFMServices

Usingyearsofmachiningandengineeringsupport CIMtech'smanufacturingexpertscanassistinyour machiningprojects.WhenyoupartnerwithCIMtech,you canutilizeitsfreemanufacturingdesignfeedbacktohelp lowercostontheirCNCMachinedParts.

Paul Ghotra CEO

WhetheryouhaveasimpleprojectorcomplexsubassembliesCIMtech'sin-houseresourcesandexpertisewill ensureprojectsarecompletedontimewithabovequality everytime.Thecompany'smachiningexpertsutilizelatest CADCAMsoftware.

Aftermfg.designfeedbackbeingapprovedbyits customers,CIMtechtakesittothenextphaseand manufacturespartsthepartsthecustomerwantsand assemblesthemin-house.Thecompany'sstate-of-the-art Hi-Techmanufacturingfacilitieswilldeliverthepartsor sub-assembledunitsincludingalldocumentation.

Thisensures–

· Improvementonmanufacturabilityandfunction

· Manufacturingfeedback

· Reverseengineering

· Prototyping

CNCMachiningwithPrecisionEngineeringSolutionsto SolveYourToughestManufacturingChallenges.

CIMtech'sManufacturingExperts,JourneymenCNC Machinists,ToolMakersandCertifiedQuality/GD&T

TechniciansprovideprecisionCNCservicestosolveyour toughestmanufacturingchallenges.Itutilizesthelatest engineeringtechnologiestomeetyourCNCmachining requirements.

EminentLeadership

Thecompanyhasflourishedundertheeminentleadership ofPaulGhotra,theCEO.PaulmovedtoVancouver, Canadain1988andstartedhismanufacturingengineering careerinoneoftheleadinghi-technologycompaniesin BritishColumbia,beingapartofcompanythathada growthfrom10employeestartupto5000employeesina fifteen-yearperiodhasenhancedhispassiontocontinueto growandpushthroughtheobstacles.

Duringhischildhood,hisfatherhadgreatdesiretoeducate himtobecomeapioneerintheengineeringfield.Hisfather passedawaywhenhewasayoungboy.Sincethen,hehas madehislifelongmissiontopursuethisprofessiontofulfill hisfather'spassionforengineering.Paulwastrainedinone oftoptechnicalinstituteinprecisionmechanics, instrumentation,andmanufacturingengineering.

SincePaulstartedCIMtechMfg.twodecadesagohehas beeninstrumentalintrainingengineersinDFMprocesses. Theobjectiveofcourseistodesignforlowercosts.The costbeingdrivenbytime,sothedesignmustminimizethe timerequirednotjusttomachine,butalsooptimizingsetuptimeoftheappropriateCNCmachinebeingused.

Hehasbeenapartofmanynewproductdevelopment cycles,startingfromproofofconcepttofullproduction givinghimrichunderstandinginoptimizingfor manufacturingcostreductionduringinitialstagesofthe designphase.

"Manufacturingisoneofthelargestpillarsofgrowthand stabilityinanyeconomy,"saidPaul.Thecustomersof CIMtechMfg.havealwayshelpedthecompanyingrowing bygivingproductivefeedback.

"CIMtechMfg.isaremarkablyagilecompanythatflows withourdemandsforprecisionmanufacturingandsubassemblies.WorkingwithPaulandhisstaffmakesusat SandVaultGroupconfidentinachievingourgoals.

CIMtechDFMfeedbackwasinstrumentalinreducingcost ofourproducts,eveninthemostchaotictimesoftheyear. Althoughthetimelinesaresometimesrushed,CIMtech manufacturingqualityneverfalters.Wearelookingforward toworkingwiththeCIMtechteamforyearstocome".–Derrick Moennick, VP Business Development

Kelli Maxwell is the CEO and Founder of Ember Markeng Group based in Billings, MT USA Kelli is naonally known as the “Content Queen” and has in innate ability to authencally amplify her client’s brand and voice through the content she and her agency create for them. Learn more at embermg.com

Content is Queen

ContentMarketing’…wehearitoften,butwhatisit truly?Simplyput,contentisthecreationofphotos, videos,memes,blogs,orcaptionsthatpeopleput intotheonlineworld.Marketingistheactofmakingothers awareofit.Contentistheinformationweallconsume online,inournewsfeeds,andintheadsthatstalkus incessantly

Gonearethedaysofoldschooladagenciesfacilitatingbig spendingontv,radio,andnewspaper.Justafewdecades ago,onlythetitanswithaheftybudgetcouldaffordto advertiseandgettheirmessageintotheworld.Socialmedia completelyleveledtheplayingfieldforeveryone.Anyone canhaveavoice,buildabrand,andattracttheiraudience withthecontenttheyputout;withoutevenspendinga dime.

Whenwasthelasttimeyoulistenedtotheradioand enduredhoursofads?Mostofuswouldratherpaythefee onastreamingservice,neverlistentoapaidadagain,and notevennoticingthatweareinundatedonsocialmedia withmessaging.Thisisbecauseitcomesacrossas authenticcontentthatentertainsus,engagesusoreducates us.Itresonateswithusorelicitsanemotionalresponse,and weappreciatethetimethatcompanytooktospeakdirectly tous.

Ourworldwasrecentlyrockedbyapandemic,anelection andseveralchangestothewayweareabletoadvertise digitallyandwhowecantarget.Yetonedigitalmarketing principalremainstrue- content is still queen

It’shumannaturetolookfortheeasywayout.Tofind automationsandprocessesthatreplacehumaninteractions andthetimespentfacilitatingthem;toworksmarter,not harder.Butweseemtobeforgettingonething.Themost importantthing:HumansdobusinesswithHUMANS.Not bots,notfunnels,notautomationsanddefinitelynotspam messages,emailsandads.

Especiallynowwhenconsumerprivacyisparamount,the wayyouattractpeopleonlinetoyourbrandisoftheutmost importance.It’sfoundthatthecontentbrandsareputting outonsocialmediaplatforms.Isyourcontentgeneric, boringandirrelevant?Orisitauthentic,bold,pushingthe boundariesbetweenfollowingadvertisingguidelineswhile stillbeinghilariousorprofound?

Theadagenciesofolddidonethingexceptionallywell. TheycaredaboutPEOPLE.Theywinedanddinedtheir clients.Theyspenttimewiththemoutsidetheagency,they gottoknowwhotheytrulywereaspeopleandwhythey caredsomuchabouttheirbrands.Theyinvestedthousands intolearningwhichadswouldspeaktotheiraudiencewhile alsohonoringtheirclient’spersonalbeliefsand philosophies.Itwasanartthathasnotbeenlostonthe contentcreatorsoftoday

Socialmediatookthatawayfromus,foratime.We becameimpersonal,usedfilterstohideourtrueselvesand onlypostedthehighlightreelsofourlivestoelicitenvyand jealousyfromothers.Butnow,especiallynowthatwe’ve survivedthelastfewyearsoflockdowns,restrictions,and divisionamongstourselves,wecraveconnectionmorethan ever Thisiswhyauthenticcontentmarketingwillalways emergevictorious.

Nomatterwhatwegothrough,humansarewiredfor connectiontootherhumans.Nomatterhowmanydollar billswemakethroughbotsandautomations,ifallofthat werestrippedaway,I’dhopewe’dstillhaverelationships andpeopletoseeusthroughthehardestoftimes.

Howareyouconnectingwithyourpeople?Asthe landscapeofmarketingchangesyetagain,Iurgeyouto utilizeyourvoiceonline,throughsocialmediaplatforms,to spreadyourmessageinanauthenticandunapologeticway thatattractsyouraudience,keepsthemengagedwithyour brandandconnectswiththeminawaythatnootherform ofmarketingcando.

TOP Trendsin Emerging MachineVision Technology

Itisnolongeradoubtwhetherasystemshouldutilize visionandimaging,butratherit’sanecessitytoadopt it.

Asweallknow,theonsetoftheCOVID-19pandemichas playedtheroleofacatalystinadvancingtechnology Accordingtotherecentstatisticalreportfromthe AssociationforAdvancingAutomation(A3),theinitialsix monthsof2021sawanupsurgeof18percentascompared tothatof2020.Theindustryisexpectedtoboostfurther, andnowherewillthenumbersdecline.

Onemayobviouslyask,whatbroughtthismassive increase?

Andhereisacatch,machinevisionsystemshave significantlyshownimprovementinthebusinessprocess. Fromimprovingproductivity,efficiency,andqualityto reducingcostsforthemarket,machinevisionhasacquired thecenterstage.

Simplyput,machinevisionsolutionshavehelpedadvance qualitybyrecognizingdefectsatafasterratethanmanual corrections.Providinghumanoperatorswithefficient information,machinevisionhashelpedthemmake essentialadjustmentstotheirproductionside.

Asthetechnologyhasasubstantialimpactonthe manufacturingandindustrialsector,ithasrevolutionizedit throughtheneweraofdigitalization,whichfurthermakesit muchmorepromisingforthecompaniestoadoptit.

Thisarticlewillhighlightsomeofthemachinevision trendsthatarepredictedtodominateintheupcomingyears.

EmbeddedVision

Embeddedvisioncombinesimagecapturesandprocessing capabilitiessimplyintoasingledevice.Suchtechnology hasfounditswayintoabroaderrangeofindustrial applicationssuchassortingsystemsandinspections.Many industrialmanufacturingunitshaveimplantedthis technologyintoproductslikedriverlessvehicles, autonomousdrones,andalsointosmartphones.

VisionGuidedRobotics

TheVisionGuidedRoboticsprovidesmoreintelligentand quicker3Dmeasurementandguidancesupport,further makingthetechnologydemandmorepromising.The promisingnatureofthistechnologyisalsointermsof addressingtheagingpopulation,whichwillraisethelabor costsbyperformingthesametasksashumans.

TheRiseinDemandfor3DInspection

Thecontemporaryconventionalinspectionmethod accountsforinspectionandmeasurementintwodimensional.Thishasrestrainedusersfromaccessingdata andanalyzingpartstructurewithconfidence,asthe concludingdataisrestrictedtoaflat2Dx-rayimage.This loopholehascausedthesuddengrowthanddemandfor3D inspectionsystems.Itcanobserve,inspectandscrutinize objectswithgreateraccuracy,thusimprovingthe applicationperformance.

HeightenedUseofSwirlCameras

SWIRLtechnologybasicallyreferstoShort-waveinfrared,

whichisavisiblelineinphotonsreflectedorabsorbedbya particularobjectwhichisnecessarytoprovideastrong contrastneededforhigherresolutionimaging.Withthe advancementsinsensortechnology,theuseofSWIRL camerasisincreasing,especiallyinapplicationssuchas siliconinspections,laserbeanprofilingchemicalandplastic sense,andmuchmore.Itcoversthewavelengthof900nm1700nm,whichhasincreasedthedemandforSWIRLinthe market.

TheRiseinLiquidLenses

Thetraditionallensesinindustrialapplicationshavelost theirdemandafterliquidlenseshavedisruptedthemarket withtheirwiderangeofbenefits.Theyareasingleoptical liquidmaterialthatcanchangeitsshape.Theselensesare notjustimplantedinthesmartsensorsandsmartcameras butarenowbeingusedinanumberofapplications, includingdigitalphotography,industrialdatacapture, biometricdataacquisition,andmanymore.

ThermalImaging

Thispowerfulremotesensingtechniqueisusedforsecurity, publicsafety,anddefensetechnology.ThermalImaging simplyreferstotheprocessofconvertinginfraredradiation intovisualimagesthatdemonstratethespatialdeliveryof temperaturevariancesinasceneobservedbyathermal camera.Itbasicallymeasuresthetemperatureorthe emissionswiththegivenprocessremotely

ImprovisingtheAR/VRCapabilities

ARandVRtechnologiesarecomprehensivebeyondtheir latentuseforvideogamesandentertainment.Theyare beingusedforreal-timeinstructions,trainingworkers. MuchmoreMachinevisionisevolvingthecapabilitiesof ARandVRtothesubsequentlevelinthequestformore accuratevirtualrestorationsofreality

EnhancingQualityAnalysis MachineVisionsystemscombineimageprocessingwith manufacturingautomation.Thesesystemscanprovidea fast,economicalandreliableinspectionthatenhances qualityaswellasbusinessefficiency.Responsibilities performedbyamachinevisionsystemcanincludemethods suchasimageacquisition,processingoranalysis,and recognition.

EnhancingSupplyChainVisibility

Machinevisioninthesupplychainpromisesa technologicaltransformation,providingefficientautomated outboundlogisticsauthentication.Itfacilitateslessening operationalcosts,enhancesprofitabilitythroughzero shippingmistakes,andmaximizesprocesscompetence throughautomateddatacapture.Whileboostingsupply chainvisibilityisacontinuousprocess,manufacturersand shippingcompaniesareanticipatedtoleveragemachine visiontechniquesintheyearsahead.

WrappingUp

Theemergingtrendsaboveshowthatthemachinevision marketisgrowingfourfoldandisnotsettoslowdown anytimesoon.Asbusinessesstruggledtomeettheir consumerdemandswithreducedlaborduetothepandemic, automationandroboticshavegiventhemthestrengthand capabilitiestorecovertheirrespectivelosses.Bystating this,notfaristhetimeforbusinessestosaythat‘Machine Vision’hasbecometheirnewnormal.

- Shrutika Khedekar

Wilson Chiu President

TheleadingmanufacturingcompaniesofCanada employcutting-edgetechnologiestodeliverthe bestproductstotheirclients.Theyleavenostone unturnedtoensurethattheclients’requirementsare fulfilled.Workethicsandexcellentqualityarethe hallmarksofthesecompanies.Theyefficientlyutilizethe resourcesanddeliverproductsofthehighestquality

Onesuchprominentmanufacturingcompanyachieving excellenceinitsnichemarketisKingstecTechnologies Inc.Withmorethan38years’expertiseinbusinessand over5000projectscompletedtodate,itisaleading engineering,manufacturing,andlogisticsbusinesspartner servingcompaniesofallsizesinNorthAmericaand Europe.

Establishedin1983,Kingstecisheadquarteredin Mississauga,Canada,andpartnerswithISO-certified manufacturingfacilitiesthroughoutAsia.Workingwith start-upsandestablishedbrandsalike,Kingstecemploysa teamofhighlyspecializedengineers,logistics professionals,andexperiencedprojectmanagersto shepherdprojectsfromideationstraightthroughtomarket.

Kingstecconnectscustomersinabroadrangeofniches withworld-classandengineeringservicesinNorth America,andwithcost-efficient,highlyadaptablecontract manufacturersinAsia.Solvingeventhemostcomplex engineeringchallenges,thecompanyhasearnedcustomers’ trustbymaintainingthestrictestqualitystandardswhile helpingtogettheirproductsquicklyandreliablyintothe marketplace.

ExcellenceRedefined

Kingstechasnearlyfortyyearsofexperiencein engineering,manufacturing,andprojectmanaging electronicsfornon-implantablemedicaldevices, performanceautomotiveaftermarket,agricultural technology,telecommunications,andindustrialcontrols.

Withitsin-houseteamofexperiencedelectricaland mechanicalengineers,thecompanypossessestheabilityto supporttheprojectsofitsclientsatanystage.The company’sareasofexpertiseinclude:

Customcableassembliesandwireharnesses

PCBsandPCBassemblies

Plasticinjectionmoldedparts

Top 10 Machine Vision Soluon Companies to Watch

Box-buildturnkeyassemblies

Stampedmetalcomponents

Precisionmachinedparts

Becauseit’sbeenintheindustryforaseveraldecades, Kingstechasworkedcloselywithclientsindiverse industriesandsectors.Thestaffhashoneditsknowledge andskillsinmeetingawidearrayofdesign,engineering, manufacturing,andlogisticalchallenges.

Beyondthat,Kingstec’scloserelationshipswithitspartners inAsiagiveitatremendousadvantage.“We don’t just speak the languages, we understand business culture and the nuances by which terms are agreed and promises kept,” saysWilsonChiu,presidentofthecompany

Theteamknowshowtospotpotentialrisksorpitfallsand dealwiththembeforetheyturnintoproblems.Thankstoits constantpresenceinAsiaandworkingalongsideits partnerstokeepvariousmanufacturingjobsontrack,the companyhelpsclientscircumventtripstoAsiaandavoid off-hourmeetings,savingthemprecioustime.Kingstec takesonalltheresponsibilitiesofselectingandmanaging therightAsianpartnersforitscustomers’projectssothey canfocusontheircorebusinessneeds.

TheVisionaryLeader

WilsonChiu,presidentofKingstec,hasbeenwiththe organizationforover20years.Throughhisrole,Mr Wilsonworkstoensurethateverydimensionofthe companyisfocusedonhelpingmeetcustomers’offshore manufacturingneedsquickly,smoothly,andcost-efficiently. Whilecreatingguidingstrategy,innovationinitiatives,and customerrelations,heoverseesahighlyexperiencedteam ofengineers,logisticsspecialists,andprojectmanagers.

BeforejoiningKingstec,Mr WilsonworkedforalargeTier 1automotivesupplier,holdingpositionsinproductdesign andengineering.AlicensedProfessionalEngineer,heholds abachelor’sdegreeinMechanicalEngineeringfrom RyersonUniversityandisfluentinCantonese.

BravingthePandemic

Likeanyothercompany,Kingstecalsohadtofaceseveral challengesstemmingfromtheimpactoftheCOVID-19 pandemic.Theadditionallengthinleadtimehashadthe biggestimpact.“We’ve seen longer lead times for all raw

materials, along with price increases for these materials,” statesMr.Wilson.

Shippingchallengeshavealsobeensubstantial.Limited shippingcapacityandtheresultingriseinpriceshavebeen difficult.Mr Wilsonfurtheradds,“Between a mysterious shortage in shipping containers, reduced travel, reduced port staff – and then the curveball of the blocked Suez Canal, it’s hard to predict what will happen next.”The companyhadtotakecarefulstepsandhadtoremain extremelytransparentinitsconversationsaboutleadtime andpricing.

TheKingstecteamrealizedthatadoptinga‘mix & match’ strategyhasbeeneffective.Ithasbeenbuyingmany componentslocallyinNorthAmerica.Thecompany handlesthekittinginitsCanadianfacility,thenships everythingbacktoChinaforassembly.Itaddsasmallsum totheoverallcost,butthecompanycangetwhatitneeds relativelyquickly–sometimesshaving20weeksoffthe leadtime.Ultimatelythisstrategykeepsleadtimeswithina rangethatisacceptableforcustomers.“We’re fortunate to have a strong and experienced supply chain management team, because logistics and component sourcing have played a much more prominent role over the last 18 months,”assertsMr.Wilson.

KeepingupwithTechnologicalAdvancements

Kingstecbelievesthatitisnecessarytohavethelatestand greatestCADsoftwaretoensuretheyareaheadintheir capabilitiesandthateveryonecansharefileseasily.The companyopinesthatitisalsoimportantthateveryonein thecompanyhasallthenecessaryhardwareandsoftwarein theofficeandequipmentintheengineeringlabsothatthey canworkquicklyandefficientlywithup-to-datesoftware, andtoreducetheinevitabledowntimethatcomeswith olderequipment.

Mr.Wilsonbelievesthatfromanengineeringstandpoint,as electronicsevolve,individualskillsetsalsomustbe enhanced.“We work with a lot of start-ups, and we want their products to be able to do all of the things consumers today expect – like using the latest chipsets and mobile modules, so products can respond to voice controls, or mobile apps.”

WordsofEncouragement

Inhisadvicetotheup-and-comingentrepreneursaspiring toventureintothemanufacturingspace,Mr Wilsonstates,

Build your networking skills! Particularly in engineering, this is a very undervalued skill, but it so important. You need to make connections early on if you want to win jobs, secure funding for your venture, or attract new clients. And you need to start early, or you’ll leave university with a blank resume and an uphill battle to fight. If you’re still in school, start now: join associations, attend meetings, go to department events.”

RoadTowardstheFuture

Kingstecbelievesintakingatraditionalapproachto sustainingitsbusiness.Itaimstoalwaysfocuson relationships.“We’ll always put a high priority on face-toface meetings with clients and partners,”statesMr Wilson.

Beforethepandemic,thecompanyusedtoplanvisitsas oftenaspossible;notjustforfactorytoursandmeetings, butalsotohavesomesocialtime,likealunchordinner together Themanagementfeelsitisimportanttogetto knowclientsbeyondZoommeetings,tohaveapersonal touch.Itisveryeasytodownplaytheimportanceofthose relationships,buttheyreallyareimportant.

Kingstecplanstostayfocusedonservingitsniche.The majorityofitsclientsareinthemedicalspace.Clientsalso tendtobesmallerbusinessesratherthangiantOEMs.

Theseareclientswhomightgetlostwithabiggerpartner, butKingstecknowsthatitcandelivertheexcellentservice, quality,andpricingthesebusinessesdeserve.Mr.Wilson firmlybelievesthatthereisastrengthinunderstanding one’scorecompetencyandknowingone’sstrengths.

Thecompanyplanstogrowoverthenextfiveyears.Italso intendstodomorewithitsexistingclients,aswellas addingnewones.“We’ve invested more in marketing this year to achieve that,”statesMr Wilson.Kingstecalsoaims toexpanditssupplierbase;accordingly,itislookingat partnerswithnewtechnologiessothatitcanserveclients betterandexpanditscapabilities.

A Legacy Built on inExcellence Quality Manufacturing

Possessingunparalleledexpertiseinacertainnicheis whatdefinesacompany’spositioninthemarket. Thisexpertiseiswhatseparatesthebestfromthe crowd.Ensuringtrustandbuildingconfidencewithin stakeholdersandcustomerscanbeachievedeffortlessly whenthisprovenexpertiseisexhibited.

TM

Inpertinence,Wattco hasbeenexhibitingthisexpertise formorethanfiftyyearsintheElectricalandElectronic Manufacturingniche.Thecompanyhasbeeninthe businessofmanufacturingacompletelineofflangeheaters, circulationheaters,tubularheaters,andimmersionheating elementsforawidevarietyofindustrialandcommercial applications.

Inthefollowinginterview,JasonToledano,theCEO shareswithusinsightsonthecompany’sproficiencyin deliveringqualityequipment,hisroleinspearheading Wattcotozenithsofsuccess,andwhatmorecanbe expectedinthefuture.

Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterview:

Briefourreadersaboutyourcompany,yourniche market,andyourvision.

Wearea50-year-oldengineeringsystemsmanufacturerof electricheatingprocessingequipmentandcontrolsfor manyindustriesincluding:RenewableEnergy,Chemical, OilandGas,Food,Defense,HVAC,andpharmaceutical sector.

Whatmakesyourcompanyapreferredchoiceoveryour competitors?Listtheproductsandyourexpertisethat youwanttohighlightinthisarticle.

Wattcoisoneofthefewremainingmanufacturersthatcan offercertifiedhazardouslocationsystemsforbothcontrols andprocessheatingequipment.Weofferextremelyquick engineeringtomanufacturingtimes,trainedknowledgeable staffandonlyusethehighestqualityofrawmaterials coupledwithoverahalfcenturyofexperience.

Ourinternalstructureisprimarilybasedaroundcorefamily valueswhichallowustoprovidethepersonalservicethatis lackingfromourcompetition.Ourimmersionheaterline, whichincludeelectricheaterssuchasflangedheaters,oil heaters,circulationheaters,skidheatingsystemsgive processindustriesthetoolstheyrequirefortheglobal projectdemandsthatrequirecleanenergyheat.

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Renewableenergyisusingourductheatersforloadbanks andcontrolpanelsforprojectsthatdidnotexist30years ago.Infraredheatersarebeingusedformajorinfrastructure projectssuchastheREMprojectthatisrollingoutin Quebecandaroundtheworld.

Beinginaleadershipposition,whatisyouropinionon theimpactofthecurrentpandemiconthe manufacturingbusiness?

Asdevastatingasthepandemicis,itopensopportunitiesfor manufacturerslikeourselvestomoveoutofourcomfort zoneandthink‘outofthebox’tobecomemoreefficient andcompetitively

Thepandemicwillforcecompaniestobecomeleanerand morecompetitive.Lesswasteandmoreoutput.Reinvest intobettertechnologiessuchassoftwareandmachineryto allowforabetterROItoweathermoredifficulttimes.Most importantly,itwillgiveourexistingemployeesthe confidenceofgreatdecisionsandfuturegrowthgiventhe obstaclesthatwefaced.

Hownecessarydoyouthinkitistoalignone’sbusiness withthelatesttechnologicaldevelopments?

Thisisanecessity.ResearchandDevelopmentiskeyto competitivenessandtoimproveprofitabilityandimprove thequalityofourproducts.Reinvestmentintoadvanced machineryandcapitalequipmentiskeytoimproved efficienciesandprofitability.

Asanestablishedbusinessleader,whatwouldbeyour advicetothebuddingentrepreneursaspiringtoventure intothemanufacturingbusiness?

Doyourresearchwell,createagoodbusinessplan,anddo notsuccumbtodecisionsbasedonemotionsandmoreon quantifiablecalculatedrisks.Withthegenerational expectationschangingintheworkforce,thinking‘outofthe box’isn’tjustasuggestion,butmoreofanecessity.Salary isn’teverything.Offeringanopenatmospherebasedaround theemployees’needsismoreimportantnowthanever

Howdoyouenvisiononsustainingyourcompany’s competencyinthisever-cutthroatbusinessecosystem?

Beinginbusinessformorethan50yearsgivesusadditional edgeoverourcompetitionasourexperienceprovidesus businessinsighttohelpguideusthroughchallengingtimes.

Ourhighretentionratewithourcustomersisaresultofthe exceptionalrelationshipswe’vecultivatedovertheyears thatcouldonlyhelpusgrowthecompanyinareaswhere opportunitiespresentthemselves.

Wheredoyouseeyourcompanyinthenextfiveyears?

OpeningafacilityintheUnitedStatesandexpandingour productlinestohandletheever-increasingglobalprojects thatweareencounteringeverydayinordertohelp contributeinthereductionoffossilfueldependency

Abouttheleader

JasonToledano,theCEOhasbroughthismotivational leadershiprequiredtopropelthecompanypastits competitorsbybeingconstantlyintouchwithhisentire staff,regardlessofpaygrade.Hisinsightintoopportunities allowsthecompanytoworkrapidlyanddeploystrategies thatpreparesthecompanyforthewaveofdemandthatis constantlyevolving.

Expansionintobuildinginfrastructure,reinvestmentinto capitalmachineryandqualitypersonnel,aswellasthe creationofsynergiesamongourexistingsupplierscreatesa partnershiprelationshipratherthana‘customer/supplier dynamic’.Thisinvaluableleadershipopensuplimitless possibilitiesforthecompanyasawhole.