Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

Beckhoff Automation Introduces TwinCAT Vision Software

By Paige Beach | December 5, 2017

Share

Beckhoff Automation today announced the incorporation of comprehensive image processing capabilities into its PC-based control system with new TwinCAT Vision software. TwinCAT unites a comprehensive range of machine functionality – PLC, motion control, robotics, high-end measurement technology, IoT, HMI and now machine vision – all in an end-to-end engineering and control platform.

With this level of integration, TwinCAT Vision eliminates the need for separate vision solutions, often developed by third parties. The software opens up vast innovation potential in machine building, for instance, through consistent real-time synchronization with other automation tasks or support of advanced track-and-trace solutions.

 

Machine vision is rapidly becoming a key quality technology enabler for manufacturing machinery. This applies particularly to Industrie 4.0 concepts, quality optimization and track-and-trace applications. Now, TwinCAT Vision provides the required image processing capabilities in the form of PLC functionality on a universal, end-to-end software platform, complete with a specially developed library of image processing functions and function blocks that are called up directly from the TwinCAT PLC. The flexible runtime system in TwinCAT is capable of executing these functions and function blocks in real-time. Integration at this level simplifies engineering significantly, so that PLC programmers can now create machine vision applications themselves without support from outside experts.

GigE Vision compliant cameras of almost any kind are added easily, even in parallel, via standard camera interfaces and configured in TwinCAT Engineering. The cameras can also be calibrated directly, in the engineering environment or mid-process in the runtime system. With TwinCAT Vision, there is no need for specialized tools or programming languages when coding the image processing logic, because the machine vision applications are created in the PLC, using familiar PLC programming languages.

With stand-alone machine vision solutions, communication between image processing and control applications can be complex and difficult to manage. External factors, such as the operating system, may also have an impact on processing times and data transmission speeds. TwinCAT Vision not only avoids communication problems of this kind, it also allows the image processing and control components to communicate with one another directly. Because the image processing operates at the same real-time level as the PLC, response times are shorter and machines can run faster and more efficiently as a result.

 

Beckhoff Automation

www.beckhoffautomation.com


Filed Under: Design World articles, Machine tool industry + subtractive manufacturing
Tagged With: beckhoffautomation
 

Tell Us What You Think!

Related Articles Read More >

Drone-mounted inspection breaks barriers for F-35
TriStar, a misunderstood failure of design
More on engineering and science
Dan Arvizu: Embracing the soft skills

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Global supply needs drive increased manufacturing footprint development
  • How to Increase Rotational Capacity for a Retaining Ring
  • Cordis high resolution electronic proportional pressure controls
  • WAGO’s custom designed interface wiring system making industrial applications easier
  • 10 Reasons to Specify Valve Manifolds
  • Case study: How a 3D-printed tool saved thousands of hours and dollars

Design World Podcasts

May 17, 2022
Another view on additive and the aerospace industry
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings