FAQs on Machine Vision Software

Machine vision software is used to solve image processing tasks with wenglor machine vision products in the field of industrial image processing.

wenglor offers the following machine vision software: 

• wenglor uniVision 3 software
• wenglor Discovery Tool software
• uniVision 2 software
• VisionApp 360 Software
• VisionApp Demo 3D Software
• Support software

New software versions are provided for functional enhancements, performance optimizations and bug fixes.

wenglor uniVision 3 is software for setting up wenglor machine vision products for solving tasks in the field of machine image processing. The development environment enables users to automatically evaluate data (e.g. image evaluation) via graphic user interfaces and the creation of configurations instead of conventional programming. wenglor uniVision 3 thus qualifies as a low-code or no-code platform.

wenglor uniVision 3 software is currently supported by the smart camera B60. It is the standard software for all future wenglor Machine Vision devices.
 

wenglor uniVision 3 software requires a PC with Windows 10 or Windows 11. Details can be found in the technical data on the product detail page. 

Although no programming knowledge is required to operate wenglor uniVision 3, basic knowledge of machine vision processing and parameterization is required.

Templates are predefined uniVision jobs for a specific task (e.g. code reading) that can be loaded onto the uniVision product. The most important modules are already saved and linked in the templates so that only a few parameters need to be adjusted.

wenglor uniVision 3 software can also be used offline without a device for simulation. This means that projects with good and bad images can be optimized, for example. Quick tests for evaluating the software can also be carried out using the examples provided in the software.

Data (e.g. images) can be easily saved, deleted and loaded in the uniVision simulator.

wenglor uniVision 3 has a toolbox with numerous software modules that can be added flexibly to the job and linked to each other as required.

The modules available in wenglor uniVision 3 software can be used several times within a job and can be combined as required.

wenglor uniVision 3 supports all relevant interfaces to control systems and robots so that uniVision devices can be integrated quickly and easily.

The visualization of a job can be set flexibly and freely. Results can be displayed directly in the image as an overlay, for example. Visualization is web-based and can be used on any device with a browser.
 

Yes, the software can also be expanded later with separate license packages.

wenglor uniVision 3 is based on the functionality of uniVision 2, but contains numerous new functions, optimizations and bug fixes. uniVision 2 and 3 also support different devices:

• uniVision 2: weQube B50 smart cameras, BB1 machine vision controllers, smart 2D/3D profile sensors
• uniVision 3: smart camera B60

HALCON scripts created in MVTec’s HDevelop software can be loaded in the HALCON Script module in the uniVision software and run on the uniVision product (e.g. B60). The HDevEngine required for this is already pre-installed on the uniVision product.

Yes, the standard software modules in wenglor uniVision 3 software can be combined with HALCON scripts as desired. Flexible data exchange between the modules is possible!

wenglor uniVision 3 thus enables a combination of parameterization and programming:

• Parametrization:
  Standard tasks can be easily completed with the standard uniVision modules from the uniVision Toolbox 
• Programming: Complex tasks can be solved in HDevelop with HALCON scripts.

The following data types can be transferred from uniVision modules to the HALCON Script module (inputs) or returned from the HALCON Script module to other uniVision modules (outputs):

• Iconic variables
  • Images
  • Regions
  • XLDs
• Control variables
  • Integer
  • Real
  • String

HALCON is MVTec’s extensive program library with image processing algorithms. The development environment for HALCON is the HDevelop software.

Learn more about HALCON MVTec here!
 

Calibration plates are used in measuring applications to clean up optical distortion and ensure precise conversion from pixel to millimeter values. This takes place in the wenglor uniVision 3 software via the Image Calibration module.
In addition, a calibration plate enables simple and fast calibration in robot vision applications. This process also involves coordinate matching, thus eliminating the distortion caused by the optics. For precise calibration, the calibration plate should be completely in the camera’s visual field and cover at least half of the visual field. Paper-printed calibration patterns result in inaccurate calibration. Opaque panels (e.g. ZVZJ001) are suitable for incident light applications, transparent (e.g. ZVZJ005) for transmitted light applications.

The “Device Robot Vision” module in wenglor uniVision 3 enables direct communication between 2D cameras and robots.

Robot vision is currently supported in wenglor uniVision 3 by the Smart Camera B60. Other devices will follow.

wenglor uniVision 3 enables communication with robots manufactured by UR. Interfaces to other robot manufacturers will follow.

Teaching in objects is easiest in wenglor uniVision 3 using the Pattern Match and Locator modules. 

Various object types can be easily taught in using wenglor uniVision 3 software. The object type can then be sent directly to the robot.

 

In the Pick and Place application, an individual object height can be set up for each object type so that different object types can be gripped at different heights. 

Any desired offsets in x and y can also be set up in wenglor uniVision 3 software for picking in pick-and-place applications so that the object can be gripped at the tip, for example.

In wenglor uniVision 3 software, data from several different objects can also be found with an image capture and sent to the robot in order to optimize the cycle time for pick-and-place tasks. This means that the robot has to move into the detection position less frequently and can directly grasp other objects that have already been found.
 

A calibration object is required for calibrating the camera and robot in pick-and-place applications. Professional, rigid and temperature-resistant calibration objects are available in different sizes. Alternatively, you can also print out the calibration sample yourself (PDF download). For the calibration routine, various positions must be taught in in which the camera sees the calibration object so that the relationship between the camera and robot is determined.
 

If the relationship between the camera and robot does not change, recalibration is not necessary.

uniVision devices run version HALCON 22.11.

HALCON scripts can also be created with other HALCON versions. However, the compatibility information with the version HALCON 22.11 used on uniVision devices must be observed.
 

Yes, the HDevEngine is already running on uniVision devices. HALCON scripts can thus be run directly on uniVision devices. This allows the focus to be placed on the application solution (software)!
 

The uniVision ecosystem enables flexible data exchange between all uniVision modules and the HALCON Script module. Numerous interfaces (e.g. PROFINET, EtherNet/IP) are available on the uniVision product. The results from the HALCON Script module can thus be output directly and flexibly via the uniVision interfaces. The flexible web-based visualization also enables flexible and individual display of results from the HALCON Script module – even directly in the image!
 

The image data required to create a HALCON script is recorded in a Teach+ file with real data.

The typical workflow for working with HALCON scripts is as follows:

• Recording of a Teach+ file with real data
• Creation of the HALCON script with the recorded data in the HDevelop software
• Loading the HALCON Script into wenglor uniVision 3 software in the HALCON Script module

There are numerous examples of HALCON scripts that show in a simple format which data types are supported and how applications can be implemented easily.

Data such as taught-in contour models can be stored permanently and independently of the platform in the HALCON dictionary.

HALCON scripts can be encrypted to prevent unwanted changes to the script.

Yes, the running of HALCON scripts can also be tied to a specific device. This prevents a project from simply being copied to other devices using HALCON script.
 

The wenglor Discovery Tool is a software for searching for and finding wenglor machine vision devices in the network. The software also enables the network configuration of the image processing devices to be adapted to match the network configuration of the system or PC.

The wenglor Discovery Tool is to be available as standard software for all wenglor machine vision devices. The smart camera B60 and the 3D sensors of the ShapeDrive G4 series MLASx1x and MLBSx1x are currently supported on the hardware side.

The wenglor Discovery Tool Machine Vision software requires a PC with Windows 10 or Windows 11 on the system side. For further details on the system requirements for operating the software, please refer to the Technical Data section on the product detail page of the wenglor Discovery Tool software. 

Yes, wenglor Discovery Tool software finds all supported devices, even if they are in a different subnet.

wenglor Discovery Tool software indicates the status normal operation, warning or error with details of the warning or error message. 
Example:
The temperature of the machine vision device exceeds a critical value.
A warning message with detailed information “Temperature is too high” appears in the software.
 

It is often difficult to find the network settings in your PC’s settings. wenglor Discovery Tool software displays the network settings of the PC directly without having to call up the computer settings.

It is easy to jump to the device website using wenglor Discovery Tool software. There is no need to remember the IP address of the device.
 

wenglor Discovery Tool software can be used to assign a name of choice to each device so that it is easy to distinguish between several devices.