B&R's integrated machine vision portfolio now includes a Smart Camera that combines multiple machine vision functions in real time. That makes it easy to implement sequences of process-controlled functions that would be costly and time-consuming to achieve with conventional smart cameras.

On a machine producing multiple variants of a product simultaneously, for example, the Smart Camera only needs to capture one image to determine which variant it is looking at and check the printed label. One function provides the feedback needed for the subsequent function. Since the process variables of the machine controller are seamlessly integrated in these processes, decisions can be made in real time. Sequences of image processing functions can be extended almost indefinitely.

The developer simply connects the individual image processing functions in a visual editor. There is no need for time-consuming programming. Thanks to complete integration in the B&R system, it takes only minutes to set up and synchronize even complex tasks like picking products off a moving conveyor and sorting them into boxes.

B&R's Smart Camera has the same hardware options as its Smart Sensor. Various integrated lenses and housing variants with a standard C mount are available. Other options include a variety of integrated lighting, FPGA image preprocessing and image sensors from 1.3 to 5.3 megapixels.

New APROL functions prevent unwanted changes
The new CaeBackup/CaeRestore options for B&R's APROL process control system ensure even better security when using standardized libraries. Users can lock these libraries in the target database. This prevents unwanted changes to libraries when the engineering data is transferred. Both intentional and accidental changes are prevented.

In order to ensure and check the consistency of exchange between individual projects and libraries, all versions of project parts now include a checksum. During database optimization, the checksums of all versions of the project parts are checked and corrected if necessary. CAE warnings are generated in the event of defective or invalid checksums in the database. This allows the user to reliably detect changes and initiate any necessary corrective measures.

B&R is an innovative automation company with headquarters in Austria and offices all around the world. On July 6, 2017, B&R became a business unit of the ABB Group. As a global leader in industrial automation, B&R combines state-of-the-art technology with advanced engineering to provide customers in virtually every industry with complete solutions for machine and factory automation, motion control, HMI and integrated safety technology. With Industrial IoT communication standards like OPC UA, POWERLINK and open SAFETY as well as the powerful Automation Studio software development environment, B&R is constantly redefining the future of automation engineering. The innovative spirit that keeps B&R at the forefront of industrial automation is driven by a commitment to simplifying processes and exceeding customer expectations.