2 FlexiBowl® and 2 Cameras#
This section describes the available configurations when operating with two FlexiBowl® and two cameras managed by a single FlexiVision One VisionController.
Configuration overview#
In a 2 FlexiBowl® + 2 Cameras configuration, the system includes two independent feeding and vision stations, both managed by the same VisionController. Each station consists of:
1 FlexiBowl®
1 Camera with dedicated optics
1 Hopper (optional, if present)
The two stations communicate with the VisionController through a network Switch.
Important
The Switch is a mandatory component in all multi-device configurations. Without it, it is not possible to connect multiple FlexiBowl® units and multiple cameras to the VisionController at the same time. For technical specifications and order codes, see the Switch section.
This configuration supports two operating variants, based on the number of robots available in the system:
Variant A |
Variant B |
|
|---|---|---|
Robot |
1 |
2 |
FlexiBowl® |
2 |
2 |
Cameras |
2 |
2 |
Operating logic |
The robot reaches both stations |
Each robot is dedicated to one station |
Switch required |
Yes |
Yes |
Variant A — 1 Robot, 2 FlexiBowl®#
In this variant, a single robot operates on both stations. The robot is positioned so that it can reach the picking area of each FlexiBowl®, alternating picking between the two stations based on the received commands.
Each station manages its own independent recipe. On each station, it is possible to configure a Standard or Mix application, with models of different components within the same recipe.
Parameter |
Value |
|---|---|
FlexiBowl® |
2 |
Cameras |
2 |
Robot |
1 |
Switch required |
Yes |
Important
Base recipe and recipe management
As with the single configuration, in a 2FB + 2CAM configuration the process also starts by creating a single base recipe, which contains the hardware setup and camera calibration for the entire system. This base recipe is then duplicated for each station: each duplicate represents the operating recipe for that station, within which the part models are created (up to 8 per station).
For this reason, it is essential that the association between devices is configured correctly from the beginning:
Camera 1 → FlexiBowl® 1 (+ Hopper 1, if present)
Camera 2 → FlexiBowl® 2 (+ Hopper 2, if present)
An incorrect association during setup would affect all derived recipes, compromising part recognition and correct operation of the entire system.
Variant B — 2 Robots, 2 FlexiBowl®#
In this variant, each robot is dedicated to a single station: Robot 1 performs picking on FlexiBowl® 1, and Robot 2 performs picking on FlexiBowl® 2. The two cells are independent and do not overlap.
In this variant as well, each station supports both Standard and Mix applications.
Parameter |
Value |
|---|---|
FlexiBowl® |
2 |
Cameras |
2 |
Robot |
2 |
Switch required |
Yes |
Tip
This variant ensures maximum productivity, with the two cells operating in parallel and completely autonomously.
Important
Base recipe and recipe management
As with the single configuration, in a 2FB + 2CAM configuration the process also starts by creating a single base recipe, which contains the hardware setup and camera calibration for the entire system. This base recipe is then duplicated for each station: each duplicate represents the operating recipe for that station, within which the part models are created (up to 8 per station).
For this reason, it is essential that the association between devices is configured correctly from the beginning:
Camera 1 → FlexiBowl® 1 (+ Hopper 1, if present)
Camera 2 → FlexiBowl® 2 (+ Hopper 2, if present)
An incorrect association during setup would affect all derived recipes, compromising part recognition and correct operation of the entire system.
Required components#
FlexiVision One base kit#
The FlexiVision One base kit (supplied with the system) already includes everything required for the first station (camera, optics, cables, calibration grid). It is not necessary to purchase a second complete kit for the second station.
Additional Camera Kit#
For the second station, it is sufficient to purchase the Additional Camera Kit, available in a specific version for each FlexiBowl® size. The kit includes:
1 Camera
1 Optics dedicated to the FlexiBowl® size
1 Calibration grid
1 Camera power cable
2 Ethernet cables
Select the kit according to the size of the second FlexiBowl®:
FlexiBowl® size |
Additional Camera Kit Code |
Included optics |
|---|---|---|
FB 200 |
GM002002 |
CE000881 — FlexiVision One 35mm Optic |
FB 350 |
GM002003 |
CE000881 — FlexiVision One 35mm Optic |
FB 500 |
GM002004 |
CE000880 — FlexiVision One 25mm Optic |
FB 650 |
GM002005 |
CE000879 — FlexiVision One 16mm Optic |
FB 800 |
GM002006 |
CE000879 — FlexiVision One 16mm Optic |
FB 1200 |
GM002007 |
CE000878 — FlexiVision One 12mm Optic |
Note
If the two stations use FlexiBowl® units of different sizes, the Additional Camera Kit must be selected according to the FlexiBowl® size of the second station. The first station is already covered by the base kit.
Switch#
The Switch is always required in multi-device configurations. For code, electrical specifications, and physical specifications, see the dedicated section:
→ Switch
Wiring#
The wiring diagram is identical for both variants: all field devices (FlexiBowl®, cameras, robots) connect to the Switch, and the Switch connects to the VisionController through a single Ethernet port. The difference between Variant A and Variant B concerns only the number of robots connected to the Switch.
Important
The Switch has 8 Ethernet ports. Verify that the total number of devices to be connected does not exceed the available capacity, taking into account all FlexiBowl® units, cameras, and robots present.
Connection diagram#
Device |
Connection |
|---|---|
FlexiBowl® 1 |
Ethernet port → Switch |
FlexiBowl® 2 |
Ethernet port → Switch |
Camera 1 |
Ethernet cable → Switch |
Camera 2 |
Ethernet cable → Switch |
Robot 1 |
Ethernet port → Switch |
Robot 2 (Variant B only) |
Ethernet port → Switch |
Switch |
Ethernet port → VisionController |
Tip
Verify that each device is assigned a unique IP address on the same subnet. The TCP/IP ports used by the VisionController for the two stations are configurable: by default FB1 → 4001, FB2 → 4002. See the Robot-Vision Communication Protocol section for details.
Switch ports used by variant#
Switch Port |
Variant A (1 Robot) |
Variant B (2 Robots) |
|---|---|---|
1 |
FlexiBowl® 1 |
FlexiBowl® 1 |
2 |
FlexiBowl® 2 |
FlexiBowl® 2 |
3 |
Camera 1 |
Camera 1 |
4 |
Camera 2 |
Camera 2 |
5 |
Robot 1 |
Robot 1 |
6 |
VisionController |
Robot 2 |
7 |
— |
VisionController |
8 |
— |
— |
Note
Wiring of individual components
The physical connection procedures for each component (FlexiBowl®, camera, hopper, robot) are fully described in the Wiring and Connections section. In a 2FB + 2CAM configuration, the same operations are simply performed twice — once for each station — with the only difference that each device connects to the Switch instead of directly to the VisionController.
Important
Device association in the software
FlexiVision One can manage all stations simultaneously, but it is essential that the association between devices is configured correctly in the software. Make sure to associate:
Camera 1 → FlexiBowl® 1 (+ Hopper 1, if present)
Camera 2 → FlexiBowl® 2 (+ Hopper 2, if present)
An incorrect association would compromise part localization and correct operation of the entire system.
→ Initial System Configuration