B&R's powerful vision system sets new industry standards: The cameras, intelligent image processing algorithms and innovative lighting portfolio are an integral part of the control system.
Several exceptional features characterize our machine vision solution. The relation of processing power to camera size and cost is extraordinary. A few years ago, the industry could only dream of this kind of performance with such a compact camera. By combining multiple functions in one housing, machine builders and end users can save time and money.
All features can be combined individually. This makes it possible to configure the right system for any application. Get an overview of the possibilities available with B&R's adaptive vision system.
The B&R vision system can be customized to your needs with several camera, lighting or filter variants that will help achieve game-changing results. →
Several exceptional features charctarize machine vision and open up completely new possibilities for your applications. →
The cameras, intelligent image processing algorithms and innovative lighting portfolio are an integral part of the control system. →
Algorithms based on deep learning are opening up exciting new ways to improve quality, boost productivity and prevent waste while making manufacturing more flexible. →
A system that enables simple maintenance is key to mimize machine downtime and at the same time maximize OEE. →
A complete portfolio of cameras, lenses, lighting and software provides just the right combination for any application. →
Countless camera variants – Perfect for every application
Each vision sensor or camera can be configured individually – fully adapted to the machine process. It's possible to customize your order to your needs starting by deciding between a sensor, camera or deep learning camera. From there, you can choose from a wide range of focal lengths, illumination colors and many more variants.
- Calibrated or electronically adjustable lens focus
- 7 different integrated lenses as well as a flexible c-mount variant
- 3 variants of sensor resolution, from 1.3 to 5.3 MP
- 7 LED variants with up to 4 different colors
Extensive lighting portfolio
The selection of flexible light bars, ringlights and backlights ensure optimum results even in difficult lighting situations. Each light has an integrated flash controller, so no external hardware is required. Lighting control is synchronized with the automation system in the sub-μs range. As the only manufacturer on the market, B&R equipped its light bars with electronic angle adjustment from -45° to +90°, via the fieldbus connection. When producing multiple products on the same machine, the lighting angle can be automatically and reliably optimized for each batch.
Additionally, filters are a simple and inexpensive way to further improve the quality of captured images. A polarizing filter can eliminate reflections and glare and a collimating filter ensures optimum contrast.
- 6 backlight and 7 light bar variants
- Calibrated light source for reproducible radiant flux
- Polarizing, collimating or diffuse filter for improved results
- Electronic angle adjustment from -40° to +90°
Adaptive lights to unveil the invisible
Intelligent lights that can seamlessly adapt to your products in real-time, allow you to unveil the invisible. Each light can feature up to four different LED colors. The selection ranges from white and various visible colors to invisible colors. Infrared or ultraviolet LEDs can be used to make structures disappear or become visible.
By using complementary lighting in different applications, maximum intensity and contrast can be achieved. At the same time, the right color combination ensures minimum exposure time and smearing.
- 4 out of 7 different LED colors in one light (red, green, blue, lime, white, infrared, ultraviolet)
- Real-time color adaptation made possible by an integrated control system
- Available as integrated camera lighting or an external smart backlight, light bar or ringlight
No limits with multifunctional vision sensor
Unlike many other devices in its class, there is no need to install different sensors for different functions. Instead, users simply configure the Smart Sensor in the Automation Studio engineering tool, where they can choose from a large selection of functions. Up to 255 models can be stored and executed on a sensor. Additional models can easily be exchanged in the software.
- Countless features in one vision sensor
- Identical hardware for different applications
- Less need for spare parts
- Function defined in automation project, not by item number
- Transparent costs, independent of software functionality
High-speed objects perfectly illuminated
Each light has an integrated flash controller, so no external hardware is required. The controller ensures a precise pulse current supply to the powerful LEDs: Already with a pulse duration of 1 µs, the light reaches 100% intensity.
Unlike conventional image processing systems, the B&R vision system can therefore also be used in high-speed applications without any problems. We recently realized an application where the system reads a data matrix code on a band saw blade at 56 m/s speed. Also, the high-performance lighting eliminates almost entirely the influence of extraneous light - a crucial quality factor.
- Maximum intensity and homogeneity
- No chance for extraneous light
- Automatic adaption to every situation
- Repeatable intensity due to factory calibration
SYSTEM INTEGRATION
Seamlessly integrated into the automation system
The unprecedented depth of integration of B&R's vision system opens up new possibilities that go far beyond quality inspection. Information can be fed into control loops in real time to provide advanced machine control. This allows deterministic system behavior that leads to minimum machine downtimes and in the end a maximum OEE. Central data management enables detailed diagnostics and easy maintenance.
- Central data management in real time
- Easy diagnostics and maintenance
- Automatic firmware and parameter updates when the machine starts
- Minimized machine downtime
NETWORK INTEGRATION
Synchronization with µs precision
Both the hardware and software in B&R's vision solution are fully integrated in the control system. This is the only way to achieve absolute precision and microsecond synchronization between all automation components, including machine vision. The system can be connected with an axis in just a few clicks.
- Reproducible images for reproducible results
- Minimum FOV (field of view) necessary
- Razor-sharp images at high speed
TOOL INTEGRATION
Simulation of image processing in Automation Studio
Getting a vision system up and running doesn't require complex programming skills. Engineers can easily program, parameterize and even simulate image processing in the Automation Studio engineering tool even without having to compile the entire project. Additionally, the ability to export test results to Excel helps to optimize the process and generate quality related data such as standard deviation.
- Common environment for engineers
- Programming and parametrization as an integral part of automation project
- Easy POC (proof of concept) for shorter time-to-market
- Machines operate more reliably
OCR without training or parametrization
The integrated character recognition function has an exceptional capability to instantly recognize characters. There’s no training or parametrization necessary to enable high-speed reading even with poor image quality or difficult characters, such as dot matrix fonts. A deep learning algorithm makes the function even more reliable and opens up exciting new ways to improve quality, boost productivity and prevent rejects - all while making manufacturing more flexible. All available smart camera features can be combined with deep OCR.
- World class performance of 26 TOPS
- High-speed reading also for poor quality
- Recognize even difficult characters instantly
- No more parameters than ROI and confidence level
- Deep OCR for better results
Plug and play for series-built machines or in case of service
B&R calibrates all lighting elements and optical systems – consisting of lens, sensor and focus adjustment – prior to delivery. As a result, there are no parameter or programming changes required when devices are exchanged in the field.
The system behaves in the same way every day - no matter if you install the camera yesterday, today, or tomorrow. In case of any service, the machine down times are reduced to a minimum. This also accelerates commissioning times for series-built machines.
- Minimum machine downtime in case of service
- Increased OEE
- Extremely high precision
- Reduced TCO
Both the hardware and software of B&R's vision solution are fully integrated in the control system. This is the only way to achieve absolute precision and microsecond synchronization between all automation components – including machine vision. With only one engineering tool and one application to manage, controls engineers will now be able to implement many machine vision tasks on their own.
