MVTec Software / Stemmer Imaging
Quo vadis image processing?
The two automation providers B&R and Beckhoff integrate machine vision directly into their control architectures. What does this mean for pure machine vision providers? Peter Keppler (Stemmer Imaging) and Dr. Maximilian Lückenhaus (MVTec) take a stand.
Peter Keppler: "Regardless of which side you want to approach image processing from: manufacturer-independent advice on the design is the be-all and end-all."
© Stemmer ImagingAre machine vision providers facing difficult times?
Keppler: Machine vision is a key technology for the implementation of Industry 4.0 and the digital transformation. The implementation of the OPC UA standard in particular is bringing image processing and automation technology even closer together. In this respect, it is only a logical step for automation providers to become more involved with image processing. This does not mean that image processing specialists are facing difficult times. On the contrary, it will be even more important in future for users to be able to rely on advice from competent partners such as Stemmer imaging.
Dr. Lückenhaus: " We welcome and encourage the fact that the two worlds of industrial image processing and automation are continuing to grow together so that synergy effects such as simpler and faster handling can benefit more and more users. For MVTec as a pure software provider for machine vision, there are exciting opportunities for cooperation with companies from the automation sector. And we are pleased that the automation companies are also taking up these opportunities. Various vision sensor manufacturers are already integrating our 'Halcon' software library into their smart sensors as standard. From our point of view, in the age of Industry 4.0, end-to-end communication within automated industrial process chains and thus holistic workflows should be a self-evident goal. Our software products therefore support the OPC UA standard as standard.
Dr. Maximilian Lückenhaus: "We are actively involved in the VDMA's OPC Vision Initiative to promote the integration of image processing and automation."
© MVTec SoftwareWhere do you see the limits for fully integrated systems?
Keppler: This question has been around since the introduction of the first intelligent cameras. At that time, however, it was still possible to distinguish very clearly between freely programmable, powerful PC multi-camera systems and parameterizable, compact smart cameras. However, the possibilities offered by current embedded architectures based on ARM platforms and Linux OS are increasingly blurring the boundaries. Nowadays, it is therefore no longer expedient to talk about the theoretical limits of individual systems. It is much more important to focus on the customer's application when designing the system.
Dr. Lückenhaus: The boundaries are shifting almost daily. And the trend is very much in favor of automation, or rather towards simplicity in handling, so that even non-machine vision experts can easily create and implement machine vision applications. MVTec is trying to push the boundaries further in this direction with every new software release.
Future vision systems should also be operable by vision amateurs. Where do you position yourself in this environment?
keppler: For the simplest applications, vision sensors can of course be designed in such a way that they can be operated by 'vision laymen'. However, not all tasks can be solved so easily - and I don't think it's expedient to break down a future technology to just this single aspect. In my opinion, it is much more important that, on the one hand, the usability of the systems is tailored precisely to the target user and, on the other hand, that the users are trained in image processing in general and the systems specifically.
Dr. Lückenhaus: It's not just about making image processing easier to use, but also about providing developers with the best possible support for creating applications on embedded devices. For example, from version 13.0.1, 'Halcon' runs as standard on all Arm-based platforms with the Linux operating system without any further porting measures. In the form of 'Halcon Embedded', the software can be ported to embedded platforms such as Android, BeagleBoard-xM or DragonBoard as well as other embedded systems.
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