Communication Modes
When deploying a Mech-Mind vision solution, you need to set up the communication between the Mech-Mind Vision System and the robot side (robot, PLC or host computer). The Mech-Mind Vision System provides the following communication modes:
Master-Control communication
The Mech-Mind Vision System and the robot constitute a master/slave control or communication model after you load the monitoring program to the robot or remotely control the robot. In this communication model, the Mech-Mind Vision System functions as the master device, sending commands, while the robot functions as the slave device, performing tasks according to the commands received from the master device.
This communication mode supports communication only with the robot. When this communication mode is used, a dedicated communication channel is established between the Mech-Mind Vision System and the robot through the Master-Control program running on the robot or the robot’s software development kit (SDK).
For the brands of robots that support Master-Control communication, refer to Master-Control Communication.
Interface Communication
The Mech-Mind Vision System provides external communication interfaces, which allow it to communicate with the robot side (robot, PLC or host computer) based on the standard communication protocols. During communication, the robot side usually calls an interface command and instructs the Mech-Mind Vision System to process it and return the result. Subsequently, the robot processes the received result to further derive its desired outcome. To use interface communication, you need to write the interface programs for both communication parties to allow them to establish the communication, and send and receive commands.
The Mech-Mind Vision System provides two types of interface communication:
-
Standard Interface: To facilitate the use of interface communication, Mech-Mind Vision System has integrated a standardized interface program, which maps the commonly used functions into a set of standard commands. You just need to prepare a Standard Interface communication program for the robot side and load it to the robot. For common robot brands and PLC brands, Mech-Mind provides out-of-the-box Standard Interface communication programs. You just need to load such communication programs to the robot or PLC for them to communicate with the Mech-Mind Vision System through Standard Interface. In addition, Mech-Mind also provides pick-and-place example programs that can be used as a reference for you to write robot service programs.
-
Adapter: provides a customized communication method. To use it, you need to write and deploy the Adapter program for Mech-Mind Vision System, and write the corresponding Adapter communication program for the robot side and load it.
The following table describes the communication objects and communication protocols supported by Standard Interface and Adapter.
| Communication Mode | Communication Object | Communication Protocol | Remark | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Master-Control communication |
Robot |
No extra communication protocol is required |
||
Interface communication |
Standard Interface |
Robot, PLC, host computer |
|
When using industrial bus protocols PROFINET and EtherNet/IP for communication, the IPC and the communication object need to be equipped with the corresponding PCIe communication board. |
Adapter |
Robot, PLC, host computer |
|
||
For the brands of robots and PLCs supported by Standard Interface communication, refer to Standard Interface Communication.
|
Whether Master-Control communication or interface communication is used, you can use the Mech-Viz software. However, the functions of the software in different communication modes vary:
|
For the comparison between different communication modes, please read Comparison between Communication Modes.
For information on how to select a communication mode, please read Communication Mode Selection.