Pete Kepf, Certified Vision Professional -
Advanced
Problem(s)
There is a variety of issues that regularly confront
the machine vision application engineer. Here’s a summary of the most
common:
1.
Signal
delay with part presence: some action to be taken (event) after
detecting the presence of the part. Example: Part presence for camera, then
another part presence for reject mechanism.
2.
Signal
delay with time: some action to be taken (event) after a certain
time has elapsed from part detection. Example: Part presence then time delay prior to image acquisition.
3.
Signal
delay with distance: some action to be taken (event) after
detecting the presence of the part and it has traveled
a certain distance. Example: Part presence then a certain number of
pulses to image acquisition and or reject mechanism.
4.
Gated
pulse: a certain pulse rate is required after part detection.
Example: A sequence of images must be taken as long as the part is
present (e.g. camera dynamic range enhancement)
5.
Pulse
Burst: a number of pulses must be sent after detecting the part.
Example, multiple lights from different angles.
6.
First
In First Out (FIFO): A part is detected and its results are stored
through a number of processes to a reject mechanism. Example: part is
inspected and if defective, no additional value is added at subsequent
steps and then the defective part is rejected downstream.
Timer/
Controller Highlights
·
Integrates
encoders, cameras, lighting, proximity sensors, reject
gates
·
Fast
and simple set up – no complicated programming routines
·
Ethernet
enabled for remote interfacing
·
Fast
and accurate timing functions
·
Small
compact size
·
A
true single component solution for machine vision
integration applications
·
Camera
trigger timing
·
Reject
gate timing
·
Remote
digital input and output
|
Solution
When combining lighting, cameras, proximity sensors and encoders to generate an automated
solution, the Timing Controller is one single component that provides
fast affordable integration. With 8 independent input channels, the
controller can accept a range of signals from a variety of components
and then trigger events on any of the 8 independent output channels.
Each of the 8 output channels can be individually
programmed with complete control over pulse delay and pulse width, as
well as a trigger delay to enable filtering of noisy trigger signals.
For applications with encoder pulses as the input triggers, outputs can
be configured as encoder pulses as well, rather than absolute time
values, for a very versatile solution.
With a standard Ethernet connection, the Timer
Controller can be quickly configured using free software or even with
simple browser access (Simply type in the IP address for the controller
for full access to all of the parameters). If you are using a third
party software package the CC320 has a simple command set that is
detailed in the manual allowing easy communication. As will all
Gardasoft products, all the settings are stored in non-volatile memory,
and it will retain these settings even when the Ethernet connection is
disconnected. The different ways the CC320 can be configured is endless.
To give you an idea of how the CC320 can be utilized,
please take a look at application note 937 which can be found from the
downloaded link opposite. This application note highlights just some of
the ways in which the CC320 has been utilized
within machine vision applications.
Specifications
|
Parameter
|
CC320 specifications
|
Digital inputs
|
8
|
Digital outputs
|
8
|
Confi guration interface
|
Ethernet – TCP/IP or web browser or pushbutton and display
|
Digital input format
|
Common cathode opto
input 5V to 24V at 3mA to 20mA
|
Digital output format
|
Open collector, switching 24V and 20mA
|
Supply voltage
|
Regulated 12V to 24V
|
Dimensions
(excluding DIN rail fixing)
|
146mm by 49mm by 24mm
|
Weight
|
200g
|
Mounting
|
DIN rail or panel mounting
|