Switches
Understanding the role of machine vision and Ethernet switches in GigE Vision imaging systems
By Henry Martel, field application engineer, Antaira Technologies
O
ver the past four decades, machine vision has emerged as a transformative technology in manufacturing, offering manufacturers unprecedented
efficiency and increased productivity gains. With its ability to outperform human labour in inspection, machine vision technology has significantly increased productivity and enabled faster production times, inspiring a new era of manufacturing excellence. Comprising both hardware and software, machine vision systems automatically capture video images of objects and apply that data to algorithms to inform decisions. In a standard inspection application, for instance, powerful computers will process, analyse, and measure various characteristics of an acquired image of an object before issuing a pass-fail response for automatic inspection, often in milliseconds. Beyond inspection, machine vision unlocks new possibilities in logistics tracking operations
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The latest generation of machine vision systems offer substantial improvements by providing industrial Ethernet switches and other Ethernet devices to communicate directly with PLCs, robot controllers, PCs and HMIs
and analysis, remote monitoring and control of industrial processes, and guiding robots in sorting mixed components and precisely aligning parts for assembly. The use cases for machine vision are expanding rapidly across every industrial sector, opening up a world of exciting opportunities. Industrial managed Ethernet switches enhance digital operations and safeguard against cyber threats in these demanding manufacturing environments.
In this article, we explore the role of industrial Ethernet switches in machine vision. We guide you on what to look for when selecting a switch that can reliably handle machine vision’s high bandwidth and data rate requirements, focusing on GigE Vision cameras, today’s most widely used protocol in many other industrial networks and machine vision applications.
Machine vision systems components
The configuration of any machine vision system is dictated by the application’s demands, which include resolution, field of view, frame rate, speed production, and interface requirements. Industrial switches are crucial for connecting various components and ensuring reliable data transmission in machine vision systems. In general, however, a computer vision system will consist of a camera, lens, cabling, and lighting. Image processing is performed on a connected PC running software and related algorithms to analyse images and extract data. For some protocols, such as CoaXPress or CameraLink, a unique frame grabber must be an intermediary between the camera and the PC. However, that is not the case with GigE Vision.
What is GigE Vision?
GigE Vision is a widely adopted standard for machine vision systems that enables the transmission of high-speed, high-quality video data over Ethernet networks. This protocol allows machine vision cameras to communicate seamlessly with computers and other devices using a standard Ethernet connection, simplifying the integration of machine vision systems into industrial automation environments. GigE Vision is particularly advantageous in applications requiring rapid data transfer, such as manufacturing process inspection, quality control, and robotics. By leveraging the existing Ethernet infrastructure, GigE Vision facilitates the deployment of vision systems in diverse industrial settings, enhancing efficiency and precision.
The GigE Vision standard is a vision- oriented version of the popular Gigabit Ethernet protocol. GigE Vision cameras deliver Continues on page 42
Components in Electronics May 2025 41
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