Welding
Thanks to their particularly robust housing design, the sensors for the welding area are insensitive to high temperatures, flying sparks and welding spatter. This makes them particularly suitable for use in harsh industrial areas such as the automotive industry or machine tool construction.

Washdown Sensors
The cleaning-resistant sensors are ideal for use in spraying applications in the food, beverage and packaging industries. Neither spraying water nor significant temperature changes impair the function of the robust wenglor sensors.

weCat3D Sensor Technology
The 2D/3D profile sensors in the weCat3D series deliver millions of measuring points per second with micrometer-accurate resolution in Z. Available in two performance classes, measuring ranges from a few millimeters to over one meter are possible and output rates of several thousand hertz are achieved.

Safe Welding Seam Tracking in Welding Systems
Fully automated welding places great demands on quality and precision. Consequently, the correct position of the respective seam must be reliably detected before the welding process is started in the robot cell. Welding systems are equipped with innovative weCat3D 2D/3D profile sensors for the purpose of weld seam tracking.

wenglor Presents Major Machine Vision Product Release
The wenglor sensoric group offers all components of an image processing system to individually solve vision applications. With the MVC series machine vision controllers and BBVK industrial cameras, the machine vision portfolio has now been expanded with further high-performance hardware. The integrated powerful uniVision 3 software is particularly impressive as an ecosystem for operating all wenglor hardware. It is flexibly scalable and evaluates all images and 2D/3D profiles of the weCat3D series in one system.  The BBVK series industrial cameras combine excellent image quality with a compact and lightweight housing that is ideal for a wide range of applications in confined installation situations Whether in quality assurance or factory automation, industrial cameras reliably deliver precise and high-quality images. With state-of-the-art CMOS sensor technology, they offer an impressive resolution of 1.6 to 24 megapixels. This ensures optimal image quality even in difficult lighting conditions and dynamic application scenarios. Demanding image processing applications can be solved together with machine vision controllers. The MVC series controllers are characterized by their powerful i7 processor, which enables exceptionally high processing speeds and thus can handle even complex tasks in real time. An outstanding feature of the MVC series is the variety of interfaces that provide flexible connectivity. A machine vision controller supports up to 16 devices, both cameras and profile sensors.  One Software for All Devices: uniVision 3 Whether smart cameras or vision systems consisting of machine vision controllers, cameras and 2D/3D profile sensors – the powerful uniVision 3 software impresses with its high user-friendliness, performance and individual expandability. A single software for all devices: With uniVision 3, all images and profiles are evaluated in one system and all wenglor hardware is supported. Numerous interfaces ensure easy integration. uniVision 3 enables the comprehensive solution of applications in the field of machine vision: The Discovery Tool is the ideal way to get started with system setup by locating and configuring network devices on the network. Global settings can be made and jobs can be accessed from the device website. Parameterization is possible in the uniVision 3 software in a user-friendly environment with a low entry barrier. Thanks to numerous high-performance modules such as HALCON Script, as well as robot and RTE interfaces, uniVision 3 as software can be used individually and even expanded. With the new Deep OCR module, it is now also possible to read plain text. The integration of state-of-the-art deep learning technology for reading plain text ensures an extremely high detection rate with minimal configuration effort. The free combination of modules in uniVision, such as “code reading”, “object locating” and other inspection tasks, it offers maximum flexibility to solve a wide range of applications. The Highlights at a Glance: With uniVision 3, images and profiles are evaluated in one system and all wenglor hardware is operated. In addition to numerous high-performance tools, modules such as HALCON Script, as well as robot and RTE interfaces, uniVision 3 as software can be used individually and even expanded. The new Deep OCR module also incorporates the latest deep learning technology for reading plain text. BBVK series industrial cameras combine outstanding image quality with a compact and lightweight housing and offer an impressive resolution of 1.6 to 24 megapixels with state-of-the-art CMOS sensor technology. MVC series machine vision controllers are suitable for demanding image processing applications and feature a powerful i7 processor.  A machine vision controller supports up to 16 devices, whether machine vision cameras or profile sensors.

Machine Vision

VisionSystem2D: The Image Processing Solution
A Complete Modular System Including Camera and Illumination, Right on Up to Analysis Module (IPC) and Software wenglor’s new VisionSystem2D is a modular image processing system which has been developed for all vision applications. It consists of up to 16 digital cameras, lenses with various fixed focal lengths, external illumination components and a control unit (IPC) with all common standard interfaces, as well as software for image evaluation. The components of this modular system can be individually combined and adapted to the respective application. In this way, focal length, focusing, resolution, lighting and type of evaluation can be separately selected. uniVision software is used to configure parameters for image recording, and for subsequent image analysis. The Hardware Up to 16 digital cameras with integrated image chips from Sony’s Pregius series deliver high-resolution images with 1.6 or 5 MP in color or monochrome – even in dynamic applications. Thanks to the compact housing (29 x 29.1 x 29 mm), they’re ideal for installation in systems with limited space. Any desired C-mount lenses can be attached to the digital cameras, in order to implement applications in both close-up and distant ranges. Three different types of illumination can be selected for homogenous, constant lighting within the application. Ring lights, spotlights and backlights are available in different sizes and colors: red and infrared light in flash or continuous mode are offered in addition to white light. And last but not least, all of the image data generated by the system come together in the control unit: all processing is conducted and results are evaluated in the fanless housing (passive cooling). Equipped as desired with either an i3 or an i7 processor, up to 16 devices can be connected. uniVision Software, which is preinstalled on the control unit, is used for image evaluation. Interfaces and Visualization Whether digital IOs, Gigabit Ethernet over TCP/IP and UDP or the LIMA protocol based on XML is required – communication can be implemented with the most up-to-date technologies. Being able to individually configure visualization regardless of the platform is also advantageous for the user. Thanks to the integrated web server, the results can be displayed in the browser of any desired device – regardless of whether a Windows, Mac or Android operating system is used! In this way, for example, users can display camera images, scanned codes and the statuses of inputs and outputs at a graphic user interface. The software is easy to use thanks to free tutorials and templates. It covers a great variety of standard applications with just a few clicks. Thanks to scalable hardware and software, any conceivable settings can be implemented for expert users. Easy Changeover: A Single Software Package, Three Hardware Families uniVision all-in-one software isn’t just compatible with the new VisionSystem2D, but rather with the weQube smart camera and weCat3D 2D/3D profile sensors as well. Universal uniVision software can even be taken advantage of by users who want to measure height profiles in addition to running simple and complex image processing applications.

Product Highlights
On these pages, innovation is more than just a promise. All information about new product series as well as downloads, tutorials, templates and much more are combined here and clearly prepared – tangible, understandable and traceable. Everything at a glance.

History of the wenglor Group
Technology that moves in over three decades of wenglor sensoric group. On this interactive journey through time, we researched deep into wenglor’s archives and have tracked the history of the company since the eighties – starting in an attic and growing into a global corporation.

Detect and Inspect Welding Seams
During welding, the type of material, the welding technique used and the ambient conditions determine the result. It is therefore important to check the welded joint afterwards. For this purpose, welding systems are equipped with the innovative weCat3D 2D/3D profile sensors for weld seam inspection.

Washdown Applications
In the washdown area, sensors must withstand hygienically demanding conditions. wenglor’s robust and cleaning-resistant sensors offer a wide range of applications in the spraying area in the food, beverage and packaging industries.

Automated Weld Seam Tracking: MLZL 2D/3D Profile Sensors
Automated weld seam tracking in robot welding cells is a complex task in a harsh industrial environment. The micrometer-accurate detection of the guide point with different types of joint by 2D/3D profile sensors is one of the most effective solutions for this challenge. In combination with wenglor’s uniVision software, the new weCat3D MLZL 2D/3D tracker sensor not only combines the necessary precision and profile quality, but also offers convenient installation, integration, robustness and user-friendliness. A 2D/3D profile sensor made for welding robots: The slimline housing of the MLZL with integrated cooling and rinsing enables easy and space-saving installation directly on the welding torch. Thanks to the small housing dimensions of only 33 × 183 × 69.8 mm, the robot can therefore also operate in narrow corners. “The MLZL 2D/3D profile sensor does not require any additional protective housing, nor does it need to be tilted for alignment,” explains wenglor product manager Dr. Sascha Reinhardt. “The design also offers sufficient protection against welding spatter and disturbing ambient light.” Despite the harsh industrial environment, the welding sensor provides high-quality profiles for precise joint detection. Optionally equipped with a red or blue laser, users can choose between three laser classes: 2M, 3R or 3B. “The MLZL relies on the advanced laser technology of the weCat3D series and thus delivers outstanding profile quality for optical seam tracking,” says Dr. Reinhardt. “This sensor has been specially adapted and optimized for the high demands in welding robots, but in particular for the complex task of optical tracking of weld seams – both in terms of hardware and software.” wenglor engineers tested and developed the special triangulation sensor as part of an EAP (Early Adopter Program) together with customers from the welding industry. The feedback and know-how collected from this program ultimately flowed into the MLZL tracker sensor. “We were able to incorporate many practical experiences directly into the development and thus obtained extremely precise information in advance about what is important in automated welding processes, where users face the greatest hurdles and what their wishes are.” Software Update with New Function: uniVision 2.5.0 for Welding Applications In its current update 2.5.0, the configurable standard software uniVision receives a stand-alone module specifically for weld seam tracking. For users, this means that welding applications can be set up in just a few clicks. “Thanks to the robust algorithms, tracking points can be reliably determined even in the event of faults in the joint course, such as with datum points. Predefined templates, where all common joint types are saved, significantly reduce the configuration work,” explains Dr. Reinhardt. The results can then be visualized on a web-based basis. Several interfaces are available for direct integration into robot controls from Kuka, Fanuc, ABB, Kawasaki and Yaskawa as well as their software. In concrete terms, this means: Welding processes can now be implemented with less effort, more functions and better results. The Welding Solution for Every User The new combination of software and hardware offers flexible welding solutions for every user. We always differentiate between applications with or without robot integration. The most convenient and comprehensive system consists of a sensor, control unit with pre-installed uniVision software application and optional robot interface. “For this purpose, the system was developed as a complete solution as part of the EAP. However, there are also other combinations with or without control unit and customer-specific integration software, meaning that we can offer the right solution to suit every individual customer requirement,” Dr. Reinhardt continues. That’s uniVision, the All-in-One Software The parameterizable uniVision standard software is used to analyze images and height profiles in the field of industrial image processing. Two and three-dimensional data from smart cameras, vision systems, smart 2D/3D profile sensors and IPCs (control units) with 2D/3D profile sensors can also be evaluated. Up to 25 different software modules and different templates are available to users in total depending on the selected hardware. The Highlights at a Glance Compact housing (33 × 183 × 69.8 mm) Robust design with high IP67 protection High profile quality (1,280 points per profile) Large working range from 74 to 158 mm Large measuring range in X from 39 to 62 mm Integrated cooling and rinsing Laser class 2M, 3R or 3B Red light or blue light Special uniVision software module for weld seam tracking Robot interfaces for ABB, Fanuc, Kuka, Yaskawa and Kawasaki Industrial interfaces PROFINET and EtherNet/IP™ for easy integration into controls