Posted to News on 31st Jan 2014, 14:26
New software for easier implementation of vision-guided robotics
Matrox Imaging is announcing new communication software that enables vision systems running Matrox Imaging software to interface directly over an Ethernet link with robot controllers from vendors including ABB and FANUC. The socket-based communication protocol was developed by Centre de Robotique et de Vision Industrielles (CRVI), an experienced Quebec technology transfer centre specialised in industrial robotics and vision applications.
Moulay Akhloufi, the director of research and development at CRVI, states: "Vision-guided robots are increasingly used in manufacturing industries around the world, including food and beverage, automotive and pharmaceutical, to improve quality, increase productivity, ensure safety and provide flexibility. This new communication protocol will help Matrox customers realise these benefits reliably and cost-effectively without the need to implement and integrate their own protocols."
Laval Tremblay, the vice-president of engineering at Matrox Imaging, adds: "Pairing Matrox-based vision systems with robots to automate tasks is a growing requirement for many of our customers and CRVI are experts in that arena. Our investment in the framework they developed for the ABB IRC5 and FANUC R-30 iA Mate controllers will be the basis of future support for other vendors' robots."
The new communication software will first be available in the upcoming release 4.0 of Matrox Design Assistant (DA), an intuitive flowchart-based development environment (IDE) that lets manufacturing engineers and technicians quickly configure and deploy machine vision applications on a highly integrated platform without the need for conventional programming. Go to www.matrox.com for further information.
