B&R HAS ANNOUNCED a next-generation smart camera that brings advanced AI into the machine control loop. The camera, with built-in edge AI capabilities, enables real-time vision processing, dynamic model switching, and hybrid AI-rule-based inspection – all without halting production or requiring external hardware. B&R – ABB’s machine automation division – says the camera will offer machine-builders and manufacturers a compact, plugand-play way of delivering fast, high-quality throughput, and cutting waste, even under highly variable production conditions. “What sets our new smart camera apart is the ability to embed it in the control loop which enables tuning machines on-the-fly,” explains B&R’s chief technology officer, Florian Schneeberger. “It’s no longer just about seeing defects; it’s about reacting to them instantly.” Another advantage is the camera’s flexibility. “Customers can switch models and combine AI functions in custom sequences, without interrupting production,” Schneeberger says. This will allow manufacturers to adapt rapidly to new product variants or types of defect, and to integrate AI incrementally alongside existing rules-based systems. Unlike conventional systems that rely on external PCs or PLCs, the camera processes its image data locally, allowing real-time AI inference at the edge, powered by a processor that is up to 15 times more efficient than rival devices, according to the edge AI specialist, Hailo. The camera supports a suite of AI-based vision functions from MVTec, including OCR (optical character recognition), anomaly detection, object detection, classification and semantic segmentation. These can be combined with traditional rulesbased algorithms, allowing users to balance the flexibility of AI with the speed and precision of conventional vision. This hybrid approach is said to be ideal for complex inspection tasks such as identifying types of product, detecting subtle defects, and verifying printed codes – all in a single pass and with a single device. The smart camera integrates with B&R’s Automation Studio engineering environment. A low-code interface allows automation engineers to configure AI vision tasks, simulate results, and manage models without needing specialised expertise. Existing smart camera installations can be upgraded with a simple drop-in replacement. “Automation engineers can deploy AI vision in hours, not days,” says Schneeberger. “And because the system is fully synchronised with machine control, it boosts overall equipment effectiveness without adding complexity.” www.br-automation.com/en TECHNOLOGY n AI camera brings real-time vision functions into the control loop B&R’s smart camera can switch AI models and inspection tasks on the fly, with no downtime. Image: B&R www.rittal.co.uk
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