ifm Vision sensors

In automation technology, vision sensors are today an integral part of assembly and manufacturing tasks, as well as quality control and thus increase efficiency.

They are cameras with application-specific evaluation, i.e. reliable electronic eyes at a low cost and a high degree of integration.

A few years ago, high-price camera systems were needed. Due to technical developments and continuously falling prices for components, even more intelligent functions could be implemented at low cost in an even smaller space.

Not only do compact vision sensors replace camera systems, but they also offer additional options.

For example, they are used to detect objects that have variable positions or shapes, replacing complex proximity sensors or multiple sensor solutions such as sensor bridges used for completeness checks of pallets and crates.

One of the distinguishing features of vision sensors is their simplicity.

Whereas image processing systems can usually only be integrated into the production process by qualified personnel or cost-intensive external integrators, vision sensors can be used without previous knowledge due to their application-specific nature.

Easy “parameter setting” instead of complex “programming” is the motto. Ready-to-use function blocks support the integration into the PLC.

An Ethernet process interface is used for data transmission, parameter setting and remote monitoring. Also, all units have switching outputs to signal successful testing, so vision sensors offer the same ease of use as binary sensors.

Another advantage is that due to their high protection ratings and wide temperature ranges, ifm vision sensors can (in the truest sense of the word) be brought very close to what’s going on.

They are also distinguished by a particularly high degree of integration. In contrast to complex camera solutions, all necessary components such as lighting, optics, evaluation electronics and output logic are integrated in the industrial housing.

Tasks such as quality control, monitoring completeness or reading 1D and 2D codes can easily be performed at low cost.

Choose between these ifm Vision sensors …

Contour sensor – Object recognition type O2D

As for a toy box: The O2D vision sensor can recognise and assign previously defined objects and their contours or structures in order to check completeness, position and orientation.

Pixel counter – Object inspection type O2V

Comparable to a counting frame or slide rule, the O2V vision sensor counts all pixels of the areas of identical greyscale values of an image, individual objects and asses by different criteria.

Code reader – Identification type O2I

Today bar codes are widely used and can be understood as font styles to be ready from right to left. 2D codes encode the information in the area. Like a domino puzzle, unambiguous information is conveyed which is read by the O2I vision sensor.

3D sensor – 3D object recognition type O3D

Like a bed of nails, the O3D 3D sensor scans the current scene in depth. These more than 23’000 measure distance values can be used to create a multitude of virtual sensors, for example to check that a crate is complete with any kind of bottles.