use the VBAI to communicate with Beckhoff PLC in our line(via EtherCAT)

[NicoleKing]

Hi I am very interesting with Vision Builder for Automated Inspection software, and I’d like to use the VBAI to communicate with Beckhoff PLC in our line(via EtherCAT) to develop vision system.

I see hints that I should be able to do this with Etherner/IP protocol between PLC and Vision Builder. But I cannot find any documentation on how to set up on vision builder.

Now I have a PC which already installed Beckhoff TwinCAT system and Vision Builder for Automated Inspection software that I would like to make a sample so that I can see how to communicate between Vision Builder and TwinCAT to send the pass/failed signal. Is it possible? Or do I need any other devices?

Are there any tutorials or instructions on how to do this?

Wait for your reply! Thank u!

[ChristopheC]

Hi,

Unfortunately, none of our Vision target support Ethercat yet. But we'll make note of the request.

Vision Builder AI supports the Modbus and Ethernet/IP protocols that you could use to communicate with your PLC.

Regarding Ethernet/IP, Vision Builder AI supports both Explicit messaging (Ethernet/IP step) and I/O data communication (Ethernet/IP Adapter step).

For explicit messaging, Vision Builder supports the logix addressing to read and write tags.

The Vision Builder AI configuration help details how to set up I/O data communication (implicit messaging) with Allen-Bradley PLCs, and this application note details how to set up implicit I/O communication with an Omron PLC.

Sorry, we haven't had any requests for Beckhoffs PLCs yet. If you get it to work, please post instructions here so that other users could benefit from it.

NI offers Ethercat support with our 8-Slot EtherCAT Slave Chassis for C Series I/O Modules.

https://www.ni.com/en-us/support/model.ni-9144.html

-Christophe