Automation Camera System (ACS)

At VISION 2026, Balluff unveiled the Automation Camera System, a new platform for industrial multi-camera applications. 

Neuhausen auf den Fildern – As the number of cameras used in industrial image processing increases, so too do the demands on cabling, synchronisation and system integration. At the same time, there is a growing need to capture processes and production sequences from multiple perspectives and consolidate the resulting image data centrally. Balluff’s Automation Camera System (ACS) combines cameras, control, synchronisation and communication within a single architecture and simplifies the implementation of multi-camera applications. 

“The challenge in multi-camera applications often lies less in image processing itself than in integrating the various system components. With the Automation Camera System, we are therefore pursuing a centralised approach that brings cameras, synchronisation, communication and system management together within a single architecture,” says Olaf Reuter, Product Manager at Balluff. 

Camera control and data aggregation on a single platform

At the heart of the system is a Camera Master, to which up to four cameras can be connected. It controls and synchronises the cameras, aggregates the image data and provides connectivity to image-processing, automation and IT systems. The system uses GenICam-compliant interfaces. An integrated web server also provides functions for commissioning, diagnostics, monitoring and system administration. The requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act were also taken into account during the development of the system architecture. 

A key feature is the single-cable architecture between each camera and the Camera Master. A single connection carries power, control, trigger and I/O signals as well as image data. Cable lengths of up to 15 metres are possible, helping to reduce cabling requirements compared with conventional multi-camera architectures. 

Cameras with integrated optics and IP67 protection

The ACS cameras combine an image sensor and optics in a sealed IP67 housing, eliminating the need to select and install separate lenses. Versions with 3- and 5-megapixel sensors are available in both colour and monochrome variants. For infrared applications, the monochrome cameras are also available without an integrated infrared cut-off filter. 

The Automation Camera System is designed for applications requiring multiple camera perspectives. These include production and process monitoring, multi-view inspections, assembly and completeness checks, and robot-vision applications. By bringing image acquisition, synchronisation, data aggregation, communication and system management together within a centralised architecture, the system is designed to reduce the complexity of integrating multi-camera systems.

Further information is available at: Automation Camera System (ACS) | Balluff