Until now, camera-based sensor technology has not played a major role in Balluff 's product portfolio. Why now?

Schönhaar: So far, our vision sensors, our RFID systems and our standard sensor technology have covered the identification and monitoring tasks in automated production quite well. However, the industry's need to cope with increasingly complex identification tasks in ever shorter times has motivated us to offer versatile problem solvers with 'SmartCameras' and also to be equipped for Industry 4.0.

How are the presented cameras for color recognition and identification connected to the production environment or I4.0 scenarios?

Schönhaar : The cameras offer a wide variety of interfaces for connection to the customer system, and a smart interface concept ensures the correct addressing and distribution of information. For example, analysis tasks can be strictly separated from higher-level production systems. If required, a mouse click is all it takes to load the process network with only the most important information, while data and images for quality services, for example, find their way via a fast Gigabit Ethernet network. It is possible to clearly define which data must be passed on and which parameters must be forwarded to which instance for security or precautionary reasons.

To what extent do the cameras originate from the collaboration with Matrix Vision? In terms of software, they are based on the Halcon function library from MVTec...

Schönhaar: The rapidly changing markets demand ever new product and solution approaches. If you want to meet this challenge, it makes sense to bundle as much expertise as possible in-house and/or to use the knowledge of external experts. For the 'SmartCameras', we relied on the algorithmic experience of MVTec, the camera and application experience of Matrix Vision and the interface experience of Balluff. One result of the intensive collaboration between Matrix Vision and Balluff is the web-based user concept.

What do you expect for the future of image processing at Balluff?

Schönhaar: The merger of Balluff and Matrix Vision has opened the door to more advanced solutions. Both companies know each other very well from years of cooperation in the development partnership. The product ranges do not overlap, but are an ideal complement. Our knowledge of automation and network technology combined with Matrix Vision's software competence and expertise in image processing will enable us to develop solutions that were previously closed to us.

Machine vision at the SPS IPC Drives 2017

In addition to numerous individual exhibitors from the machine vision sector, the VDMA Machine Vision Division will once again be represented at the trade fair this year with a joint stand comprising eight exhibitors. VISION, the world's leading trade fair for machine vision, will also be on site with a lounge and an information stand. For the first time, the VDMA Machine Vision Division will be offering a machine vision forum on two days: The aim of the Vision Expert Huddles (Hall 3A, Stand 151) is to promote the exchange between experts from the machine vision industry and trade fair visitors, customers and users.