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FEATURE MACHINE BUILDING, FRAMEWORKS & SAFETY


sponsored by


INTRODUCING TwinCAT VISION


Feature


Beckhoff Automation has launched TwinCAT


Vision, an integrated image processing solution suitable for a range of applications


bus terminal and EtherCAT. According to the company, the core idea of its


B


PC control philosophy is to ‘shift the control functionality from specific hardware modules into software modules to integrate PLC, motion control robotics, vision, etc. into a PC solution running in real time’. This concept was introduced 35 years ago and was described as a revolution. In fact the company’s PC-based control


technology created a global standard for automation. Central to this is TwinCAT – The Windows Control and Automation Technology – automation suite. According to Beckhoff, TwinCAT transforms almost any PC-based system into a real-time control system complete with multiple PLC, NC, CNC, and/or robotics runtime systems. The company has, however, now expanded this with the introduction of TwinCAT Vision, which integrates machine vision into automation technology.


WHAT IS TwinCAT VISION At a recent press conference in London, Bradley McEwan explained how Beckhoff has expanded its successful TwinCAT product range to include TwinCAT Vision, an integrated image processing solution. TwinCAT Vision integrates machine vision


into automation technology, highlighting the growing importance of image processing across mechanical engineering, particularly in applications like Industry 4.0, quality optimisation and track and trace. According to the company, on the software side, TwinCAT Vision expands the range of vision hardware to a complete solution for industrial image processing. TwinCAT Vision adds image processing to


16 DESIGN SOLUTIONS NOVEMBER 2023


eckhoff Automation was founded by Hans Beckhoff in 1980. Over time, the company invented PC based control, the


a universal control platform that incorporates PLC, motion control, robotics, high-end measurement technology, IoT, and HMI. This, the company explains, simplifies engineering as configuration and programming tasks are performed in a familiar PC environment. Furthermore, all control functions related to image processing can be synchronised in the runtime system precisely, in real time. Image processing algorithms are also executed in real time, providing a major advance in quality. According to Beckhoff: ‘With TwinCAT Vision, machine builders can fully integrate image processing tasks into the central control system, paving the way for more advanced machine designs that are capable of satisfying tomorrow’s marketplace demands, and offer enhanced competitiveness and investment security.’


THE BENEFITS Incorporating image processing into the overall control system can improve machine efficiency. In addition, integrating PLC, motion control,


measurement technology and machine vision functionality with IoT and analytics on a single control platform means it is easier to implement Industry 4.0


applications, the company explains. Other benefits of TwinCAT Vision include:


Increased production efficiency; Quality assurance in applications such as track-and-trace; It has an open control technology; and TwinCAT Vision can be connected directly to TwinCAT IoT and TwinCAT analytics, ensuring easy communication with the cloud. Finally, integrating the PLC, motion control, robotics, high-end measurement technology and machine vision capabilities on a single platform enables superior real-time application performance and significant gains in machine efficiency, the company adds. TwinCAT Vision can be used for a wide range of applications, including: Object recognition; Code reading; Metrology; Process Monitoring; Pick-and-place; Quality inspection; High precision positioning; Assembly control; Edge & register control; Machine learning, etc.


VISION CAMERA DESIGN The company realised that a lot of the cameras used for such applications as these were not truly industrial. So, by employing staff from a vision company, Beckhoff was able to develop industrial cameras suitable for such applications. Robust in design, these have an EtherCAT P connection for power and synchronisation, and six threads that enable flexible yet robust mounting. Their anodised aluminium housing, which is rated to IP65/67, is shock and vibration resistant.


Beckhoff Automation www.beckhoff.com/en-gb/


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