Catch the Wind

Artists and poets have long evoked the wind in their art, but engineers have taken the Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan at his word and put it to work as they “try and catch the wind.” A prosaic approach to leveraging the power of wind has led to the construction of multi-megawatt wind farms on land and sea and provided invaluable “green energy” to electrical grids all over the world.

The blades that power the turbines to produce this electricity are made of composite materials and their design and performance is critical to measure if renewable energy is to continue to grow as an alternative energy source. Our cover story in this issue is an example of how machine vision can make a difference in such an application. In it, editor Andy Wilson describes how a vision system can analyze the performance of these 50-ft turbine blades as they rotate.

Such non-industrial automation applications of machine vision are in evidence throughout this issue. An article on remote sensing shows how GigE cameras coupled with a GPS and inertial navigation system can significantly improve the resolution of wide-area surveillance systems. Another describes how a vision-guided robotic system developed for the US Air Force can safely and efficiently refuel fighter aircraft.

Inherit the wind

As machine-vision technologies and products become more established across multiple industries, tradeshows such as the forthcoming VISION 2010, to be held November 9–11 at the New Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre in Stuttgart, Germany, will reflect these trends.

Indeed, during VISION 2010, a panel discussion entitled “Green Vision—Driving Factor for a Green Future” will focus on how machine vision can be used in systems to protect the environment, conserve resources, increase energy efficiency, and develop more environmentally friendly products.

In addition to highlighting the core products and systems covered byVision Systems Design, the event will also include a demonstration of autonomous robot footballers, an application park showcasing the role machine vision plays in testing and production processes, an area demonstrating international machine-vision standards, joint booths for startup companies, and a series of seminars for those new to machine vision.

According to the organizers, Messe Stuttgart, attendance is already on track to exceed last year, both in terms of exhibitors and attendees. Those who wish to know which way the wind blows would do well not to miss the event!

W. Conard Holton, Editor in Chief
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