Beckhoff announced it is expanding its Vision Unit Illuminated (VUI) series to include 16 new devices, with additional enhancements including new functionality, advanced image sensors and crossed polarizing filters. 

The VUI is a compact machine vision unit that combines a camera, illumination and liquid lens focusable optics in one device. It is designed for conditions of machine building and manufacturing through and is engineered for easy integration into the control system, according to Beckhoff. 

The portfolio of units now includes 16 additional devices with Sony Pregius S image sensors. With resolutions of 5.1, 8.1, and 12.4 MP, they are suitable for a wide range of applications, the company said. 

The devices are also available with crossed polarizing filters, which expands the range of applications, as the unit solves additional vision tasks by suppressing surface reflections from the illumination. In this way, features can be captured with high contrast and without reflections, even when acquiring the image through shiny or transparent surfaces such as glass, plastic and water, Beckhoff said. 

The VUI is part of the Beckhoff Vision portfolio, which combines machine vision hardware and software with EtherCAT technology. Beckhoff Vision operates all systems on one PC-based control platform using industrial PCs and the all-purpose TwinCAT automation software.