Jonathan Ludlow is Machine Vision Promoter at Microscan’s Technology Center in Nashua, NH. He has been active in machine vision product development for many years, has authored papers on the application of machine vision in semiconductor packaging and electronic assembly, holds several patents relating to inspection systems and is a regular speaker at machine vision symposia.

1. Why did you decide to do a webinar with Business Review Webinars?

We are always looking for new ways to reach our target market in innovative ways. We believe that Microscan has an interesting story to tell regarding barcode verification with machine vision, and that Business Review Webinars can help us bring that story to the right audience.

2. What is your favourite thing about presenting to a live audience?

I started my career as a prototypically shy engineer. Somewhere along the way I found out that I really enjoy presenting to a live audience. I believe that the most important factor for me is the interest of  the audience in the topic that you are presenting. This automatically means that the audience are basically in the friends and colleagues category and that the pleasure comes from sharing whatever modest amount of knowledge and experience you have to offer.

3.  How did you get into the industry?

My involvement with machine vision started in the mid-80’s when I went to work for a now-defunct robot company. They were pioneers in vision guidance for industrial robots. The robot part did not thrive but the vision part of the business moved forward and eventually became part of Microscan.

4. What would someone be surprised to know about you?

In the years before I got involved in machine vision and packaging I worked for a contract research company which had a number of contract relating to coal mining methods and safety. I ended up spending time in coal mines all over (or rather under) the United States, England and Germany. An interesting way to  meet people and see the world. I almost became a mining engineer.

5. And finally…

Porsche or BMW? Well I am sorry to disappoint any German readers but I am a British sports car guy. My requirements are modest – just give me a nicely restored MGB –  in British racing green of course. This is the car that I had for my first few years in the United States and I sort of miss it.

Laptop or Tablet? I finally broke down and converted my paper based newspaper subscription to the electronic version and got an iPad to read it on. Turned out just fine but for serious work and mischief I still rely on my laptop that is loaded with 10+ years of files, images, mail, and whatnot. I hear there is something called the cloud but I am not there yet.

Red or white wine? Either will do nicely but good red wine is what I really appreciate.

Football or tennis? My participatory sport is whitewater canoeing in an open boat (not a kayak). This is a great pastime since it combines a reasonable amount of exercise with good reasons to travel to really beautiful out of the way places and to spend time with nice people. For spectating Rugby is my favorite but my wife is a big American Football fan so I watch quite a bit of that too.

You can register now for Microscan’s webinar ‘Ensure barcode and print text quality with machine vision‘ taking place on the 15th October at 10am New York/3pm London.