The umbrella trade association for the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA, and the Motion Control Association (MCA) has changed its name from the Automation Technologies Council to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). A3 represents more than 650 companies involved in automation from more than 30 countries.
“The new name more accurately reflects our mission, which is to be the global advocate for the benefits of automation,” said Jeff Burnstein, President of A3.
“As an energetic voice for the need to automate, A3 will focus primarily on ‘why’ automating is good,” said Rich Litt, outgoing Chair of A3 “RIA, AIA, and MCA will continue to focus on ‘how’ companies and organizations specifically can apply robots, vision, and motion control.”
The A3 Board of Directors consists of leaders from the robotics, vision, and motion control industries. The 2012-13 Board is chaired by Mike Cyros, Allied Vision Technologies, who succeeds Rich Litt of Genesis Systems. Other members include Dean Elkins, Motoman Robotics; Greg Hollows, Edmund Optics; Catherine Morris, ATI Automation; Rusty Ponce de Leon, Phase 1 Technology; Stu Shepherd, KUKA Robotics, and Andy Vogl, Kollmorgen. Jeff Burnstein of A3 also serves on the Board.
AIA itself also has been busy. The trade group for vision and imaging companies, recently unveiled its Vision for the Future—a new brand identity emphasizing its commitment to advancing vision and imaging technology worldwide.
“We’ve spent the last 18 months developing our vision of where AIA, our members, and the vision and imaging industry as a whole are headed in the future,” said Jeff Burnstein, AIA president. “A key component of this effort was getting input from our members in focus groups and through in-depth surveys, as well as one-on-one conversations. We see the technology extending to every corner of the globe and into every industry, well beyond the confines of the factory. So, we refocused our priorities, invested in new activities and staff resources, and changed our name from the Automated Imaging Association to just AIA, adding a tagline that clearly states our mission: Advancing Vision + Imaging.”
Burnstein said that the new name for the association, new tagline, and new website name are far more than just cosmetic changes.
“With this new branding initiative, AIA plans to reinforce its position as a strong, forward-thinking advocate for the companies that manufacture, integrate and use vision and imaging technology in established and emerging markets worldwide,” he said. “We take global expansion very seriously, which is why we’ve recently strengthened our relationships with vision associations in Europe, Japan, China, Korea and India.”
Burnstein cited several key AIA activities as core to its mission, such as standards development.
“Standards make vision easier to use and AIA is working diligently to help develop and promote global standards such as Camera Link and Camera Link HS, GigE Vision, and USB3 Vision. We work very closely with the European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) and the Japan Industrial Imaging Association (JIIA) on global standards development,” he said.
In 2010, AIA launched its Certified Vision Professional (CVP) program at the Basic Level. In 2011, the program was expanded to include the Advanced Level. In 2012, AIA will launch a program designed to certify system integrator companies. Additionally, Basic Level programs will be offered as in-house training and online so that interested companies don’t have to wait for events such as The Vision Show and Automate 2013 to get their key people trained.
“Certification training can help companies raise the skill level of their key employees and help users determine which companies should be considered for future projects. We hope the result will be more successful vision applications,” said Burnstein.
Robotic Industries Association
www.robotics.org
Motion Control Association
www.motioncontrolonline.org
::Design World::
Filed Under: The Robot Report, MECHANICAL POWER TRANSMISSION
