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Balluff BVS SmartCamera - Well-Positioned For Industry 4.0

Posted by Balluff on Jun 18, 2020 11:33:48 AM

Well-positioned for Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 stands for the smart, adaptive factory with short production times, high production quality and convincing competitiveness. But this also means always having all the relevant information in a highly automated process available in real-time. Here an important role is played by image processing systems, such as for object identification, monitoring the quality of processes, or assisting gripper systems in their tasks. The new BVS SmartCamera from Balluff is the right choice when many different and demanding tasks need to be solved quickly and flexibly in industrial automation using targeted tools. With this new camera the sensor specialist and systems provider Balluff expands their existing image processing portfolio with an interesting problem solver.

 

While image processing libraries become ever more comprehensive and complex, more and more users are looking for simple to use solutions. Balluff had this in mind when designing their new camera. The target groups are users who are not necessarily familiar with imagine processing on a daily basis: a simple, intuitive user interface, flexible adaptation to the automation environment, and the use of industry standards makes the work easier.

 

The main applications are identifying barcode, 2D barcode or plain text as well as object inspection using brightness and contour tools or positioning tasks using an object finder tool.

 

The SmartCamera is a complete package - all the software library, manuals and online help are already integrated into the unit. "Turn it on and go" just about sums it up.

 

It is easy and practical to use. The user can access the serial number via the "BVS Cockpit" user interface using any common browser. The interface is clearly organized and features user convenience. Display parameters can be selected as desired. Definable user management means multiple access can be set up or limited. It is even possible to switch to other SmartCameras in the network directly from the interface.

 

A monochrome CMOS sensor chip with a resolution of 1.3 MP makes the images ready and available for analysis quickly and reliably. The user can also access other stored images whenever desired. The SmartCamera stores up to 100 inspection programs, and comprehensive importing and exporting functionalities with training images represent valuable features.

 

To create or modify inspection programs, the user only needs to switch to Configuration mode to arrange analysis tools sequentially and link them with each other using intelligent parameter assignments. Some tools are also provided with wizards, which use objects to automatically set parameters. All the tools are based on the HALCON library from MVTec Software GmbH.

 

In so-called monitor mode an inspection program runs continuously. Results are made available using certain outputs or to the PLC or a host computer in the form of so-called results packets. The history can be viewed in parallel with the current inspection run.

 

In statistics mode, which can be invoked in parallel with an inspection, e.g. by an additional access to the SmartCamera, the global yield rate and statistics values for individual result parameters are represented.

 

At Balluff, "Smart" means looking beyond the horizon of mere image processing. Various information from the automation environment is linked together, the object serial number integrated into the inspection run and the signals from other sensors in the process environment incorporated into the inspection plan. In this way for example a tower light, such as the Balluff IO-Link Smart Light, can be controlled directly from the SmartCamera.

 

A clever interface concept ensures correct addressing and distribution of the information: if needed, with just the click of a mouse the process network - the heart of any automation company - gets only the most important information, whereas data and images, e.g. for quality services, find their way over a fast Gigabit Ethernet network.

 

The integrated IO-Link master allows additional IO-Link devices, sensors and actuators to be easily connected and data-linked directly or indirectly through the PLC to the SmartCamera and respective inspection.

 

The SmartCamera is initially available in two versions: the so-called IO version with LAN and 8 freely programmable digital interfaces, and the fieldbus version with LAN, Profinet, IO-Link and digital interfaces. The rugged housing, easy mounting options, standardized M12 connector and C-mount lens mount out this versatile problem-solver.

 

Figures:

 

bvs01Fig. 1: The Balluff BVS SC SmartCamera as IO- or PROFINET / IO-Link version

 

 

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Fig. 2: Connection side of the BVS SC SmartCamera (PROFINET- and IO version)

 

 

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Fig. 3: BVS Cockpit user interface – configuration menu

 

Topics: Industry4.0, MachineVision, SmartCamera

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