MARCH 13, 2009--Cognex K.K. (Japan; www.cognex.com) is launching "In-Sight EZ" in April as the first machine-vision system jointly developed by Cognex and Mitsubishi Electric (Tokyo, Japan; www.mitsubishielectric.com), as an outcome from their partnering announced in August 2008. The new system will be marketed through Mitsubishi's sales representatives, who will also become Cognex Automation Solution Providers for the business.
Cognex previously launched In-Sight Micro, a programmable, all-in one machine-vision system for electronics and other markets where customized programming is required. The compact, all-in-one In-Sight EZ is a preconfigured version of the base platform, seamlessly connecting to the Mitsubishi PLC MELSEC-Q and/or GOT/Operator Interface Terminal through Ethernet port (via Mitsubishi MC Protocol), or through CC-Link I/O unit for EZ, for a range of factory automation (FA) applications. [View Vision Systems Design's videos on factory automation applications.]
The Mitsubishi MELSEC QnU sequencer CPU now has new function blocks specifically developed for EZ connection, so no set-up program is required to integrate the new system. GOT is also able to display vision images sent from EZ and change parameters of EZ.
Shuji Abe, ARC Advisory Group (Boston, MA, USA; www.arcweb.com), comments, "Vision systems and machine vision are key components for the future quality and sustainable factory, as well as the supply chain. Their continued support, product development, and promotion of solution providers' capabilities to integrate the system to meet market demands will be key factors to achieve their goal."
Cognex and Mitsubishi plan to expand the partnership further by developing more joint solutions for other FA applications, like motion and robotics controllers and grow the offerings into a part of the Mitsubishi Total FA Solution Platform e-F@ctory.
