The integrated license-free software of the VOS series includes a comprehensive vision tool set for setting up and qualifying vision applications. This tool set enables graphical parameterization based on a reference image. The tools available in the camera software for different applications can be selected and combined to create one or different measurement tasks. The sensor can dynamically switch between up to 32 jobs. Due to the intuitive user interface, sensor replacement, commissioning and job management can be performed quickly and easily.

In addition to the parameterization monitor, an application monitor is available that displays both the situation image and the measurement result—also via remote access. Processes can be monitored remotely in real time or looked up via the history. The camera buffers process and error images or transfers them automatically.

The devices of the VOS series have freely programmable, optically decoupled signal outputs for easy signaling of pass/fail measurement results of a job. The freely parameterizable signal inputs, can be used as a trigger or for job switching.

In addition, specific control commands such as job switching, teach-in or trigger commands can be sent to the camera via all common Ethernet-based interfaces, such as TCP/IP, PROFINET and EtherNet/IP. Detailed measurement data can then be transferred to your controller or PC. The format of the data output can be individually adapted to the system.

In the automotive industry, codes and direct part marking enable quality control and complete traceability of safety-relevant components. On metal surfaces, lighting can cause strong reflections. Additional light sources and fluctuating ambient light can negatively affect measurement results. Therefore, special vision tools of the VOS 2-D universal vision sensors ensure that markings with different fonts and code symbologies are reliably detected and read out. With their comprehensive range of lighting, the sensors reliably read directly marked codes—even in difficult conditions and at larger measurement distances.

During the final inspection of high-quality or safety-critical components, small deviations can lead to vibrations, damage, or dangerous situations. With the VOS vision tool for optical gauging, circle diameters, linear dimensions, and complex shapes are measured. The values can either be sent to the higher-level control system or used directly as a pass/fail switching signal. Length units are automatically converted to a metric length value following a calibration on the 2-D plane. Moreover, a calibration checkerboard enables precise correction of the lens distortion.

In filling plants, bottles are automatically filled, labeled, and capped. Errors such as misaligned labels or crooked caps can occur in the process. The affected bottles have to be sorted out and removed at very high movement speeds. For these cases, the VOS vision sensor offers a vision tool that guarantees seamless quality control at a high measuring rate: The sensor simultaneously checks the position of the label and the cap. The sensor’s global shutter principle ensures a distortion-free image. In addition, a hardware trigger such as a light barrier enables precise time control of the image capture.

In automotive production, wheels are usually mounted on vehicles fully automatically. A robot gripper mounts the different types of rims on the wheel hubs. In this application, the VOS vision sensor determines the exact position of the rim in relation to the wheel hub. A preinstalled vision tool reports to the robot the orientation and position of the rim bolt circle in a 2-D plane. New rim types can be learned via teach-in.