Beckhoff is heading to VISION in Stuttgart (October 6–8, 2026) to show visitors how image processing can run in perfect sync with PLC logic, motion control and robotics. Instead of being treated as a separate add-on, vision becomes a native element of the machine controller, which removes latency and avoids extra interfaces between systems. The booth will highlight the complete Beckhoff Vision range, simplified engineering with TwinCAT Vision, and software tools for data analytics and machine learning.
Vision as a core automation function
Industrial image processing is no longer just an inspection step at the end of the line. It has become essential for quality control, product traceability and adaptive process control. Beckhoff removes the classic separation between vision systems and the automation platform: with TwinCAT Vision, image processing algorithms execute in the same real-time environment and the same tasks as the PLC, motion and robot control. The result is synchronized processing, faster reaction times and fully deterministic behavior.
A complete, integrated hardware range
On the hardware side, Beckhoff will exhibit a fully matched vision portfolio. The VCS2000 area-scan cameras connect via EtherCAT, offer IP65/67 protection and use monochrome or color Sony CMOS sensors with up to 24 megapixels, transferring data at 2.5 Gbit/s. They are complemented by robust C-mount lenses with anti-reflective coatings for visible and near-infrared light, resolving details down to 2 µm, with image circles of 11 mm or 19.3 mm.
Multi-color LED lighting in bar, area and ring formats works across several wavelengths, and the spectrum can be changed during operation. This lets users obtain optimal, repeatable contrast between the feature being inspected and its background, without lengthy manual readjustment. For fast commissioning or retrofitting into existing control systems, the VUI all-in-one unit combines camera, lighting and electronically adjustable focus in a single device.
A major differentiator is EtherCAT P connectivity: one cable carries both data and power, and multiple devices can be supplied in a daisy chain from a single power supply. Together with the distributed clocks function, cameras and lighting can be synchronized with every machine process with microsecond precision.
Open software architecture
The software platform remains open to third-party hardware. Any GigE Vision camera, regardless of the manufacturer, can be integrated straight into TwinCAT without additional software, and it is configured through a network scan in the same way as a drive axis. TwinCAT 3 Vision Base delivers a library for arithmetic image operations, filtering, Fourier analysis, color processing, segmentation, and contour and blob analysis. TwinCAT 3 Vision Matching 2D adds template matching and keypoint detection for pass/fail decisions and object classification. Configurable multi-core support and job tasks that parallelize work automatically make full use of the processing power of Beckhoff industrial PCs.
From image capture to AI and predictive maintenance
With TwinCAT Analytics for continuous data logging and evaluation, and TwinCAT 3 Machine Learning for running neural networks directly in the runtime at machine cycle speed, Beckhoff connects vision to data-driven manufacturing. Users gain a continuous workflow covering image acquisition, AI-supported quality inspection and predictive maintenance.