Antaira Technologies Ethernet Switches
Vision-guided robots (VGRs) are common in manufacturing warehouses. Advances in 2D and 3D cameras have only improved the technology. But could it be even better? Antaira Technologies’ Henry Martel believes so. Martel explained that incorporating a vision system into industrial robots has numerous benefits, such as allowing a robot to “see” so it can precisely sort, move, or weld various parts; flexibility; and increased safety by reducing on-site accidents.
Adding vision to robots requires one or more cameras. One needs to be mounted on the robotic arm to act as its eye. Others are placed in the working cell to capture more visual data and make up for the limitations of the arm-mounted camera. Martel also points out the importance of industrial Ethernet switches in robot vision systems. They’re required to create an embedded Ethernet network within the robot and enable the robot’s parts to communicate with each other. The switches can handle image data, too, suiting them for VGRs.
According to Martel, Antaira’s Ethernet switches fit well into industrial robots due the company's DIN-rail design. This allows them to fit easily next to power supplies, contactors, or relays. They’re currently being used in robots and cobots in agriculture, auto manufacturing, and material handling.
