OMRON FQ-MS125-ECT Vision System

The OMRON FQ-MS125-ECT is a complete vision system designed for pick-and-place applications, including the FQ-MS125-ECT smart camera, FQ-WN002 wide-angle lens, FQ-MWD005 connection cable, and FQ-31 touch-finder controller. This integrated solution provides high-speed image processing for part localization, inspection, and quality control in automated assembly lines.

System Components

The FQ-MS125-ECT smart camera features a 1.3 megapixel monochrome CMOS sensor with a global shutter, capturing images at up to 60 frames per second. The camera includes built-in LED illumination and an EtherCAT communication interface for high-speed data exchange with PLCs. The FQ-WN002 wide-angle lens provides a 90-degree field of view, suitable for large inspection areas. The FQ-MWD005 cable connects the camera to the FQ-31 controller. The FQ-31 is a touch-screen operator interface that runs OMRON's vision software, allowing setup, monitoring, and debugging without a PC.

Vision Tools and Capabilities

The system includes a comprehensive library of vision tools: pattern search (position detection), edge detection, blob analysis, OCR (optical character recognition), barcode and 2D code reading, and measurement (distance, angle, area). The EtherCAT interface enables real-time data transfer to a PLC with cycle times as low as 1 ms. The camera can trigger based on external inputs or internal timing, and outputs inspection results including pass/fail, coordinates, and code data.

Pick-and-Place Application Features

This system is specifically configured for pick-and-place tasks. It can locate parts on a moving conveyor, calculate orientation and offset, and send positioning data to a robot or gantry system via EtherCAT. The system supports multiple inspection regions per trigger and can store up to 32 inspection scenes for product changeover. The FQ-31 controller provides a graphical user interface for teaching positions and setting pass/fail criteria.

Technical Specifications

The FQ-MS125-ECT camera has a resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels, with a shutter speed from 1/10,000 to 1 second. The illumination is white LED with adjustable intensity. The camera dimensions are 55 x 55 x 40 mm, IP67 rated. The FQ-31 controller has a 7-inch color touch screen, 4 GB internal memory for image storage, and supports USB mouse/keyboard. The system operates on 24V DC, with total power consumption of 15 W.

Applications

This vision system is ideal for pick-and-place robots in electronics assembly (component placement), food packaging (product orientation), pharmaceutical inspection (label verification), and automotive parts handling. The EtherCAT interface ensures low-latency communication with motion controllers. The system is also suitable for general inspection tasks such as presence/absence, defect detection, and measurement.

Installation and Setup

The camera mounts using standard M4 screws. The lens is adjustable for focus and aperture. The FQ-31 controller can be panel-mounted or used as a handheld device. Setup is performed using the touch screen: users capture a reference image, define regions of interest, select vision tools, and set thresholds. The system includes auto-teach functions for pattern recognition. The EtherCAT configuration is done via the PLC's master software (e.g., Sysmac Studio). The system is supported by OMRON's FQ Vision software for advanced offline programming.