Step 7: Protocol Setup#

The Protocol Setup page allows configuration of the parameters that regulate communication flow and data exchange between the FlexiVision One vision system and the robot. These parameters determine how many objects are sent, how they are sorted, and how the system manages statistics and operating states.

Note

Position of Protocol Setup in the workflow

Protocol Setup is typically configured:

After: robot calibration and model creation
Before: continuous production monitoring

This is because:

It requires understanding of robot behavior, such as speed and gripper type
It affects the statistics shown in the Dashboard
It is the last configuration step before real production

Once configured correctly, it rarely requires changes unless the robot or the operating mode changes.

Accessing Protocol Setup#

From the main menu, access the section dedicated to the communication protocol
Select Protocol Setup
The interface opens with the configurable parameters

Configurable parameters#

Protocol Setup page

Parameter	Description and function
Max Object Count Return	Indicates the maximum number of objects, meaning coordinate triplets, that the vision system can return to the robot in a single run. If vision detects more objects than this limit, no more than this number will be sent, selected according to the configured sorting criterion.
Min Object Count Return	Indicates the minimum number of objects that must be returned in one run for the result to be considered valid. If the number is below this threshold, the run is considered invalid.
Sorting Mode Results	Defines the sorting criterion used to order the list of objects returned by the vision system. This parameter determines pick priority and which objects are included in the Max Object Count Return. Typical option: descending score.
Pickable parts by the robot detected by vision in each cycle	Indicates how many picks the robot performs for each vision run. For example, a double pick corresponds to value `2`. It does not represent the number of objects detected by vision, but the number of robot picks per cycle. This parameter is used for statistical calculations.
Maximum processing time per part with the robot (in seconds)	Defines the maximum reference time after which the system considers handling or transmission of the coordinates related to a run completed and typically switches from RUN to IDLE. This parameter is used for statistics and workflow management. Attention It is not a robot error timeout, but a time reference used for cycle calculation and productivity metrics.

Detailed parameter configuration#

Max Object Count Return#

Function:

Limits the maximum number of coordinates sent to the robot for each vision cycle.

Typical values:

1-3 objects: most common configuration for robots with single, double, or triple picking
4-8 objects: for systems with a buffer or fast robots able to manage queues
>8 objects: rarely required and may saturate communication

Tip

How to choose the value:

Consider robot speed, meaning pick-and-place time per part
Consider the vision plus FlexiBowl cycle time
Approximate formula: Max Count = (Vision+FlexiBowl cycle time) / (Robot pick time)

Practical example:

Vision plus FlexiBowl cycle: 3 seconds
Robot pick time: 2 seconds per part
Optimal Max Count: 3/2 = 1.5 -> round to 2 objects

Min Object Count Return#

Function:	Sets the minimum number of coordinates sent to the robot for each vision cycle.
Typical values:	1: most common configuration, even a single recognized part is acceptable >2: only for special applications with mandatory multi-pick
System behavior:	Detected objects >= Min Count: coordinates are sent to the robot Detected objects < Min Count: coordinates are not sent and the FlexiBowl sequence is executed
Impact on productivity	Min Count = 1 (more permissive): ✓ Maximum flexibility, the robot works even if only one part is available ✗ Possible low-efficiency cycles, such as 1 part every several seconds Min Count = 3 (more restrictive): ✓ Ensures a minimum cycle efficiency ✗ May cause waiting time if filling is variable

Sorting Mode Results#

Sorting mode	Description and when to use it
By Score (Descending)	Sorts by score from highest to lowest. Objects with the best match to the model are sent first. Most common and recommended: ensures picking starts from the most reliably recognized parts.
By Score (Ascending)	Sorts by score from lowest to highest. Objects with the weakest match to the model are sent first. NOT RECOMMENDED: does not ensure picking starts from the most reliable detections.
By X Coordinate (Ascending)	Sorts by increasing X coordinate. Useful if the robot prefers sequential picking along one axis.
By X Coordinate (Descending)	Sorts by decreasing X coordinate.
By Y Coordinate (Ascending)	Sorts by increasing Y coordinate.
By Y Coordinate (Descending)	Sorts by decreasing Y coordinate.
X Alternating	Alternates ordering along the X axis.
Y Alternating	Alternates ordering along the Y axis.

Tip

Choosing the optimal sorting mode

Recommended in most cases: By Score (Descending)

Advantages:

Maximum reliability: the robot always picks the best recognized parts first
Reduces the risk of incorrect picks
Independent of physical position

Note

Sorting mode interacts with Max Object Count. The first objects according to the selected criterion are the ones returned.

Pickable parts by the robot - Robot picks per vision cycle#

Function

Statistical parameter indicating how many parts are actually picked by the robot for each vision cycle.

Typical values

1: robot with a single gripper, picks one part at a time
2: robot with a double gripper or double suction cup
>2: robot with a multi-pick gripper or suction tool

Important

This value represents the physical picks, not the number of objects detected by the vision system.

Clarifying example

Scenario: double gripper, vision detects 5 objects.

If you want to send a maximum of 2 objects to the robot, set Max Object Count = 2.
If you want the robot to pick at least 2 objects at a time, set Min Object Count = 2.
In this case, set Pickable Parts by the robot = 2.
If you also want to allow picking only one object, set Max Object Count = 2, Min Object Count = 1, and Pickable Parts by the robot = 2.

Impact on Dashboard statistics

This parameter is crucial for accurate Parts Per Minute (PPM) calculation.

Formula: PPM = (Pickable parts x 60) / Total cycle time in seconds
If set incorrectly, the displayed PPM will not reflect reality

Maximum processing time per part#

Function:	Reference time in seconds used by the system to determine when a cycle is considered complete and when to switch from RUN to IDLE.
Typical values:	Set the value slightly above the real robot handling time per part Increase it if the robot performs complex movements or waiting phases
How to calculate it:	Measure the average handling time per part, from coordinate receipt to completed pick Add a small safety margin to cover normal variability
Impact on Dashboard processing time	Influences productivity metrics and displayed cycle statistics If set too low, cycles may appear artificially short If set too high, cycle closure may appear delayed in statistics

Saving the configuration#

Warning

Saving is mandatory

After configuring the Protocol Setup parameters:

Verify that all values are set correctly
Click Recipes > Save Recipe
The parameters are saved in the system configuration

Next steps#

Once Protocol Setup is complete, the system is fully configured for operation:

-> Verify Results (Dashboard) - production monitoring and configuration validation