Up to now, cooperation between the two companies has been limited to 3D cameras but it will now be expanded to include various sensors in the vision sector.

Waldkirch/Munich, November 24, 2015 - SICK AG and MVTec Software GmbH, who have worked together in the field of industrial image processing since 2010, are now stepping up their cooperation in order to increase the range of application areas. In addition to its own algorithms, SICK will also be using the HALCON image processing library for vision sensors, 3D cameras, and vision systems in the future. Both companies are market leaders in their respective fields and hope to use their combined knowledge to share in the strong growth in the image processing market.

Up to now, cooperation between the two companies has been limited to 3D cameras but it will now be expanded to include various sensors in the vision sector. "HALCON is a high-performance software for image processing," says Detlef Deuil, Product Manager 2D Vision & Image-based Code Readers. "For system integrators, it is very easy to use the high-quality image data and implement comprehensive vision solutions. Our customers in the various different industry sectors benefit from the ease with which HALCON can be integrated into the SICK vision products."

SICK offers a large portfolio of vision products ranging from compact, easy-to-integrate sensors, configurable stand-alone solutions, right through to flexibly programmable high-speed cameras to meet the toughest of requirements. To minimize complexity, cost, and risks during the implementation of programmable vision solutions, you can access sophisticated SICK-developed functions and the extensive HALCON image processing library from MVTec in the future as well. As a result, established modules give rise to perfectly tailored, new solutions that are suitable for every customer requirement.

"We are delighted that SICK has decided to use the high-performance functionality of HALCON for a wider product portfolio," adds Johannes Hiltner, HALCON Product Manager at MVTec. "The reliable HALCON algorithms, which are used all over the world, will enable SICK to expand into new markets and industries. This will allow both companies to grow together and to pass on the beneficial effects of this synergy onto their customers."

The collaboration between SICK and MVTec represents a union of two strong brands. The perfect coordination between the two companies extends beyond just their products: SICK has an international reach as a leading manufacturer in the sensor sector, and has extensive expertise in the field of hardware. MVTec - an international technology leader for independent image processing software - is its ideal partner. This cooperation benefits customers in a range of industries, making it easier for them to access high-performance vision solutions.

About SICK AG
SICK is one of the world's leading manufacturers of sensors and sensor solutions for industrial applications. Founded in 1946 by Dr. Erwin Sick, the company is headquartered in the German town of Waldkirch, in the Breisgau region near the city of Freiburg. It is a technology and market leader, maintaining a global presence with more than 50 subsidiaries and equity investments as well as numerous agencies. In the 2014 fiscal year, SICK had around 7,000 employees worldwide and generated Group revenues of €1,099.8 million.

About HALCON
HALCON is the comprehensive standard software with an integrated development environment (IDE) for machine vision (industrial image processing) which is used all over the world. HALCON helps to reduce costs and speeds up market availability: The flexible software architecture enables applications to be developed quickly for industrial image processing and image analysis. In addition to its exceptional performance and GPU acceleration, HALCON also offers extensive support for multi-core platforms and instruction set expansions such as AVX2. With HALCON Embedded, the software can also be ported and used on different customer-specific platforms. HALCON covers all branches of industry: The comprehensive library has proven its worth tens of thousands of times in industrial applications and provides functions including blob analysis, morphology, matching, measurement, identification, and 3D vision. HALCON protects investments thanks to its compatibility with a huge number of operating systems and interfaces with hundreds of industrial cameras and frame grabbers, as well as its support for standards such as GenlCam, GigE Vision, and USB3 Vision. www.halcon.com

About MVTec Software GmbH
MVTec Software GmbH is a leading manufacturer of standard software for industrial image processing. MVTec products are used in a huge range of application areas all over the world: In the semiconductor industry, for surface inspection of webs and other materials, quality control and general inspection procedures, medical technology, safety technology, 3D vision, and many other fields. MVTec, with its head office in Munich (Germany), has more than 30 established distributors worldwide and also works out of Boston, MA (USA). www.mvtec.com