ABSTRACT
Machine vision is not an end unto itself! It represents a piece of the manufactur ing/quality control universe. That universe is driven by data related to the manu facturing process. That data is of paramount importance to upper management as it relates directly to bottom-line results. For competitiveness factors, top manage ment can not delegate responsibility for quality control. Quality assurance must be built in - a function totally integrated into the whole of the design and manu facturing process. The computer is the means to realize this integration.
