Ukiva was established on 18 March 1992 as a not-for profit trade organisation whose prime objective was to promote the use of imaging in industry
Over the years Ukiva has expanded its remit a number of times to reflect the dynamics of the imaging world and now includes applications of imaging in science.
Members include vision component suppliers, 'full system' suppliers, or system integrators, consultancy services and academic research groups.
One of the key achievements of the association has been in establishing itself as a renowned knowledge centre for matters related to industrial imaging.
The Ukiva website is a source of vision information and attracts around 6000 visitors per month.
It is the first port of call for many who are seeking to introduce a vision system.
The association also offers free advice via phone or e-mail to anyone seeking help in specifying or sourcing vision systems or components.
The association also publishes an informative newsletter twice a year.
The eight-page January 2007 PDF can be downloaded.
As usual it contains an interesting mix of information by and about members and a call to participate in the adaptation and implementation of DynaVis research results.
DynaVis is a project within Framework 6 of the European Commission to enable human-machine co-operation to learn complicated inspection tasks instead of step-by-step improvements and adaptations of software.
For cricket lovers there is information on the new infrared Hot Spot system which could potentially eliminate doubt for the umpires as to whether the ball has indeed hit the bat in disputed appeals.
The popularity of the newsletter is reflected in its download figures.
There are around 1000 downloads for each issue and there have already been around 700 downloads for the latest issue.
Also available for download is the Ukiva Members directory, which attracts significant numbers of requests.
