“Why am I here? (Or in my case, why am I still here?)

It started in the early 70’s when I joined colleagues from graduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Windsor in a new startup called Diffracto Limited. We had been using laser measurement techniques in our studies and decided to try to make a business out of what we then called laser electro-optics (the term Machine Vision did not come in to use until much later). Since lasers were a new technology, first developed about 1960, it was an exciting time, and applying lasers to measurement applications was a brand new field. Being located in Windsor, ON, a lot of our business was with automotive companies, but also had a lot of activities in aerospace, nuclear and other industries.

At Diffracto, we experienced the challenge (and fun) of developing new sensing technologies for new applications. Most systems were supplied as turnkey, and all had at least a significant level of customization. Some were first-time developments, with often extreme technical challenges to be overcome.

In 1998, big change came in the formation of LMI, including Diffracto, Selcom, Dynamic Controls and Sensors ’95. Although each of the organizations was aware of each other, we rarely were in competition as we all had different focused business areas. It was really interesting to see how we all applied similar laser triangulation to an extremely broad set of applications. A while later, I was asked to provide technical marketing support to all the divisions. It was a lot of fun to visit them, study their technologies and applications and start writing and making presentations about LMI. At that time, a popular theme was our “sensors for hostile environments”, since we were arguably better than anybody else in manufacturing environments, I think we still are today.

Another benefit from my work at LMI was to meet a bunch of great, very competent people, who I consider to be close friends. One downside of LMI at the time was that while we all were using the same basic triangulation principles, but on very different platforms. New product development was slow because it was done in separate silos, and we could not practically share software or hardware developed over many years.

The next big change occurred in 2009 with the introduction of the first Gocators, the start of transitioning to a common platform for all of our applications. I saw the first Gocator prototypes on a visit to Delta, and my first reaction was “wow – all of that capability in a clear easy to implement package, at an affordable price”. It was a lot of fun to start writing about Gocator’s ease of use and technically advanced features. A bit later, as we got into writing case studies about applications, I got to interview users about their implementations. The stories heard were most gratifying. Users of our earlier application specific sensors find Gocator easy and economical to implement, and improved reliability is a big plus. Users new to LMI were also impressed with the simplicity and technical capability, and often are able to solve their customer’s application needs that were not feasible with other sensors.

It can be said that the only thing constant about LMI is change – and the rate of change is constantly accelerating. Life is never boring at LMI, it’s always challenging.

So, why am I still here? It’s great to work at a company that is a technology leader, one that expands its own product line quickly, and also makes exciting acquisitions in similar product type companies to extend to new markets. It’s fun to work with great people (and friends). It’s stimulating to work in a dynamic, fast-changing environment. And it’s rewarding to participate in a company that has good growth and profitability, and to at least in a tiny way, contribute to LMI.”