VIEW Engineering

VIEW Engineering was an American machine-vision company established in California in 1976. It became one of the earliest commercial suppliers of systems that used cameras, video processing, pattern recognition, and later laser triangulation to inspect and measure manufactured parts without physical contact. Its equipment was intended to solve a practical manufacturing problem: verifying the dimensions and quality of complex components could be more expensive than producing them. Founder Dick Hubach, then a physicist at Hughes Aircraft Company, identified the opportunity while considering inspection requirements for aerospace components. The company’s initial products addressed automated dimensional measurement and industrial machine vision. In 1977 it introduced the RB-1, described as the first automated three-axis machine-vision dimensional measurement system. The product anticipated the modern video coordinate-measuring machine by combining image analysis with programmable measurement rather than relying exclusively on mechanical probing. In 1978, VIEW followed with the PR-1, a pattern-recognition system for automated wire-bonding machines and wafer probers. These products positioned the company close to the emerging semiconductor and electronics-manufacturing markets. VIEW expanded its product range during the 1980s and 1990s. Its systems supported general factory-floor inspection, edge detection, pattern matching, coordinate measurement, semiconductor-package inspection, and three-dimensional laser scanning. Applications included semiconductor device fabrication, integrated-circuit packaging, printed circuit boards, computer data storage, precision assembly, and related manufacturing processes. The company’s non-contact approach was particularly useful for small, delicate, reflective, or densely packed parts that were difficult to inspect with conventional gauges. The business moved among several Southern California facilities as it grew, relocating from Canoga Park to Chatsworth in 1977 and to Simi Valley in 1981. General Motors invested in VIEW in 1984 as part of a broader effort to encourage machine vision on automobile factory floors. VIEW also acquired Synthetic Vision Systems in 1989 and entered an OEM relationship with Mitutoyo during the late 1980s. In 1994, Mitutoyo licensed VIEW technology for video- and laser-based coordinate-measuring machines, extending the influence of VIEW’s technical work beyond products sold under the VIEW name. Corporate ownership changed materially in the 1990s and 2000s. General Scanning, Inc. acquired VIEW Engineering in 1996. After General Scanning became part of GSI Lumonics, Quality Vision International acquired the business in 2000. In 2005, QVI combined VIEW Engineering with Micro Metric of San Jose, California. The resulting operation was renamed VIEW Micro-Metrology in 2008, and its California operations moved to QVI’s Western Region facility in Tempe, Arizona, in 2009. The later VIEW Micro-Metrology business continued supplying high-accuracy video coordinate-measurement systems and software, especially for microelectronics, mobile-device, and data-storage manufacturing. The independent operating status of the original VIEW Engineering entity is not clearly established from the available material.

VIEW Engineering originated in 1976 when Dick Hubach, a physicist at Hughes Aircraft Company, recognized that inspection costs for some aerospace parts could exceed manufacturing costs. He established the company in Canoga Park, California, to develop automated, non-contact measurement technology. The company’s central idea was to use video images and computational analysis to determine dimensions, locate features, and identify defects without touching the workpiece. In 1977, VIEW introduced the RB-1, an automated three-axis machine-vision dimensional measurement system. It is identified as an early commercial precursor to modern video coordinate-measuring machines. The following year, the PR-1 introduced pattern recognition for automated wire-bonding equipment and wafer probers. These early systems helped establish VIEW in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, where small component features and high production volumes created demand for automated inspection. VIEW relocated from Canoga Park to Chatsworth in late 1977 and then to Simi Valley in 1981. During the 1980s, it expanded from specialized measurement products into general-purpose factory-floor vision systems, pattern-recognition equipment, machine-vision CMMs, and semiconductor-package inspection tools. Product generations such as the 719, 1101, 1119, 1200, 720, 1220, and 725 reflected the company’s movement from binary-image processing toward grayscale imaging and broader industrial applications. The company’s later development included increasingly accurate coordinate-measurement platforms and dedicated inspection systems for packages such as QFPs and PLCCs. VIEW also developed laser-based three-dimensional scanners for PGA, SMT, QFP, TQFP, TSOP, BGA, and flip-chip applications. Its technology portfolio included correlation-based pattern recognition, programmable illumination, automatic video focusing, reflective-surface focusing, multi-camera imaging, and triangulation-based three-dimensional measurement. The company’s technical work was protected by a substantial patent portfolio, including patents associated with pattern recognition and optical inspection. General Motors invested in VIEW in 1984 as part of an initiative to promote machine vision for automotive manufacturing quality. VIEW acquired Synthetic Vision Systems in 1989. It also supplied equipment on an OEM basis to Mitutoyo in the late 1980s. In 1994, Mitutoyo licensed VIEW’s machine-vision technology, which became part of Mitutoyo’s video- and laser-based CMM development. Ownership changed in 1996, when General Scanning acquired VIEW Engineering. Following General Scanning’s transition to GSI Lumonics, Quality Vision International acquired the business in 2000. In 2005, QVI combined VIEW Engineering with Micro Metric, a San Jose company. The combined business adopted the name VIEW Micro-Metrology in 2008. In 2009, its California operations moved to QVI’s Western Region facility in Tempe, Arizona. Later descriptions of VIEW Micro-Metrology characterize it as a supplier of high-accuracy video coordinate-measurement systems and software for microelectronics, mobile-device, and data-storage manufacturing. The available reference material does not establish whether VIEW Engineering continues as a separate legal entity or brand.

• 2009

  California operations relocated to Tempe

  [1]VIEW Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  The operation’s California activities moved to QVI’s Western Region facility in Tempe, Arizona.

• 2008

  Renamed VIEW Micro-Metrology

  [1]VIEW Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  The combined VIEW Engineering and Micro Metric operation adopted the VIEW Micro-Metrology name.

• 2000

  Acquired by Quality Vision International

  [1]VIEW Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  Quality Vision International acquired the business from GSI Lumonics.

• 1996

  Acquired by General Scanning

  [1]VIEW Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  General Scanning purchased VIEW Engineering.

• 1994

  Mitutoyo licenses VIEW technology

  [1]VIEW Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  Mitutoyo licensed VIEW’s machine-vision technology for use in video- and laser-based coordinate-measuring machines.

• 1989

  Synthetic Vision Systems acquired

  [1]VIEW Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  VIEW acquired Synthetic Vision Systems, expanding its technology and business base.

• 1984

  General Motors investment

  [1]VIEW Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  General Motors invested in VIEW as part of an effort to increase industrial machine-vision adoption.

• 1981

  Relocation to Simi Valley

  [1]VIEW Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  After an earlier move to Chatsworth, the company relocated to Simi Valley, California.

• 1978

  PR-1 pattern-recognition system introduced

  [1]VIEW Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  The PR-1 applied pattern recognition to automated wire-bonding machines and wafer probers.

• 1977

  RB-1 introduced

  [1]VIEW Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  VIEW introduced the RB-1, an automated three-axis machine-vision dimensional measurement system and an early precursor to video CMMs.

• 1976

  Company founded in California

  [1]VIEW Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  Dick Hubach founded VIEW Engineering in Canoga Park after identifying the need for economical automated dimensional inspection.

An early specialist in non-contact industrial measurement and inspection, combining machine vision, video image processing, pattern recognition, and laser-based three-dimensional scanning for electronics, semiconductor, automotive, and precision-manufacturing applications.

• Automated dimensional measurement · 1977

  RB-1

  Introduced in 1977, the RB-1 was an automated three-axis system that used machine vision and binary image processing to measure part dimensions without contact. It is regarded as an early commercial forerunner of video-based coordinate-measuring machines.

• Pattern-recognition system · 1978

  PR-1

  Introduced in 1978, the PR-1 used image-based pattern recognition in automated wire-bonding machines and wafer probers. It addressed the need to locate complex semiconductor features consistently during production.

• Industrial machine vision · 1981

  VIEW 719, 720, 725, and related systems

  This family covered general-purpose factory-floor vision, pattern recognition, edge detection, and dedicated inspection of QFP and PLCC semiconductor packages. Later grayscale systems extended the capabilities of the earlier binary-image products.

• Video coordinate-measuring machines · 1982

  VIEW 1200, 1220, Bazic, Ultra8, Voyager, Pinnacle, and Summit

  VIEW’s CMM portfolio ranged from general-purpose systems to high-accuracy and large-travel platforms. The Ultra8 emphasized sub-micron accuracy, while Voyager, Pinnacle, and Summit systems served demanding precision-measurement applications in electronics and other manufacturing sectors.

• 2005

  Combination with Micro MetricStrategy

  Background

  QVI sought to consolidate related precision-measurement capabilities.

  Action taken

  QVI combined VIEW Engineering with Micro Metric of San Jose, California.

  Aftermath

  The combined operation was renamed VIEW Micro-Metrology in 2008 and later relocated its California operations to Tempe.

  Source

• 2000

  Quality Vision International acquisitionM&A

  Background

  VIEW Engineering was part of the GSI Lumonics organization following the earlier General Scanning transaction.

  Action taken

  Quality Vision International purchased VIEW Engineering from GSI Lumonics.

  Aftermath

  QVI subsequently combined VIEW with Micro Metric and developed the operation under the VIEW Micro-Metrology name.

  Source

• 1996

  General Scanning acquisitionM&A

  Background

  VIEW had developed a broad portfolio of industrial vision and metrology products but was operating in a consolidating technology market.

  Action taken

  General Scanning acquired VIEW Engineering.

  Aftermath

  The business later became associated with GSI Lumonics before being acquired by Quality Vision International in 2000.

  Source

1. 1VIEW Engineeringen.wikipedia.org