FAQ (Workflow or Interface)

Up to 1,000 total units or 997 measurement units not including the minimum required units can be set. (The actual number of units that can be set depends on the memory capacity of the system.)

Change the size of the display by changing the zoom ratio of the Flowchart View in Window on the menu bar.

There are two ways to transfer a program file created with the XG VisionEditor: upload the program file while connected to the controller by USB or Ethernet, or write the data to an SD card as a file and have it read by the controller.

When data is uploaded and overwritten to a currently used program, the data is reset. The operations are not affected for those programs not currently being used.

One "generation" is from the start unit to the end unit. The "first" and "second" image file settings are one "generation" each.

The views and windows in the XG VisionEditor can be positioned as desired. Layout 1 is positioned at the optimal location for creating an image processing flowchart, and Layout 2 is positioned at the optimal location for creating a user interface. Layout 3 to 5 have the same positions and can be repositioned as needed.

Select [Reset Layout] in the Window on the menu bar.

This indicates that a comment has been entered in the [System Settings] tab of that unit. Placing the mouse over the unit with a yellow square displays the comment. You can use this to describe the type of unit so you do not have to open Unit Properties.

Programs of conventional image sensor models are not compatible with this system.

Open the two programs in the XG VisionEditor, and then copy and paste the flowchart from one program to the next program.

Programs can be password-locked, preventing third parties from viewing or editing the programs.

Yes. You can use passwords to switch user groups to allow or deny access with Administrators privileges and up to four user groups.
In addition to locking operations for certain user groups, you can also set which setting menu information is visible for each user group.

There are differences in the waiting units and command execution. For more details, see "Overview of Simulation Functions" in chapter 7 of the XG VisionEditor Reference Manual.

The judgment value for an unexecuted unit is [0].

No. The display is determined by the resolution of your computer monitor.

You can search for a unit by clicking the [Jump] icon in Flowchart View.

This can be done by using a break unit. Create the flowchart so that when a condition within a loop is satisfied, the operation branches to a break unit.

Use the [Move All Regions] function. You can select the units that you want to move and collectively reposition them without changing their shape or size.

You can select the units that you want to align and use the [Align All Regions] function to evenly align them.

No, it is not included."Outputting" means that results or images are being output by output-system units (terminal output, result output, or image output).
To view the output results of archived data, monitor [First bit: Output location data availability] for %Hist0Status to %Hist7Status.

Yes, with Version 2.0 and higher. The changing of the program number (PW) is linked with changes using [Program name], and the program name can be read by using the PR (Read program number) command.

Yes. By executing a loop for an image unit on the flowchart, multiple images from one camera during a single inspection can be externally controlled or continuously executed.

Yes. You can record the desired data by executing a data output unit that outputs measurement results to the computer on the flowchart with conditional branching which treats the NG judgment of inspection data as the reference value.

Yes. You can use any bitmap image at 800 × 600 pixels for the startup mode that displays when the power is turned on.
You can also display a corporate logo or other specific image in a desired location on the inspection screen.

Set the background color to R: 254, G: 1, B: 152. (This creates a pink color in a bitmap image.) See chapter 4 of the XG VisionEditor Reference Manual (Programming edition).

If you have installed the XG VisionTerminal, you can use the remote desktop and directly operate the system through the console view.

There are three conditions that must be met to enable the double buffer.
The double buffer can only be enabled when there is only one capture unit, the capture unit is at the start of the flowchart, and the image variable has not been newly defined.

No. Continuous updates can only be performed with image waiting.

This is the point at which the capture unit executed first on the flowchart started capture. Therefore, units such as calculation units positioned above a capture unit are not reflected in the processing time. If no capture units exist on the flowchart, the point at which execution of the start unit begins becomes the start point.

Yes. By performing the necessary settings (such as creating dialogs) for items to be adjusted in advance, you can change the size and position of the inspection region while viewing the current image at a desired timing.

In addition to viewing the image archive and statistical analysis with the function menu, you can change the setting parameters that enable variable assignment by creating dialogs. Specifically, this can be used for the upper/lower tolerance, inspection level threshold, and inspection region size and position.

This mode is for performing high-speed processing while referencing variables by eliminating pattern registration processing that is performed for each conventional trigger. This mode uses both image memory, which is also used when set to [Constant (fast)], and program memory, used when set to [Update every time (slow)], so it is necessary to monitor the memory usage. Changes in the setting parameters using variable referencing are updated when you issue a RU (reference image information recalculation) command.

The setting automatically switches to [Constant (fast)] when a variable is assigned to Pattern Region, Color, or Image Enhance.

The setting automatically switches to [Constant (fast)] when a variable is assigned to Pattern Region, Color, or Image Enhance.

When the region is changed or color is extracted using a built-in dialog and [OK] is selected on the dialog, an RU command is issued automatically. An RU command must be issued when a region or filter coefficient is changed with a built-in dialog.

The average processing times for operations between two images (full screen) with the XG7700 Series is 10 ms for 240,000 pixels, 30 ms for 1-megapixel, 60 ms for 2-megapixel, and 140 ms for 5-megapixel.Note that the processing time varies depending on pre-processing of the source image and conversion.

To specify conditional branching with a range of values, separate the condition once with a calculation, and then specify the branch with a value.
Arithmetic expressions cannot be used in conditional branching, so separate the condition with an IF statement calculation, and then reference that variable with conditional branching.

When the reference value does not satisfy any condition value and [ELSE] is not set as a condition value, flows in the branches are skipped and the process moves to the join unit. The result data [Branch] of the branch unit is output with 0.

The operation continues forward after branching or joining while skipping units within the branch unit.

Branching occurs for the first branch. In this example, the operation branches to branch 1.

The names of variables can be defined with any alphanumeric text up to 32 characters as long as the name is not reserved for system variables and restrictions on the prefix, character type, and character length are adhered to. Variables that have been defined and assigned to the flowchart can also be renamed at the same time.

You can define up to 10,000 local variables and 1,024 global variables. You can define up to 512 image variables. (These are limited by the memory capacity range.)

Local variables exist within the program file as variables only within that program whereas global variables exist within a gvar.dat file as common variables for all programs. You can define up to 10,000 local variables for each program and 1,028 global variables in a workspace.

Variables are not only numerical values, such as scalar-type variables, but they can also have a structure, such as position-type variables with set XY coordinates. This eliminates the need to specify X and Y separately for geometric functions.

They are both used to store images, but whereas system image variables are cleared at the start of the flowchart, user image variables store separate information or retain stored information until a reset is performed. Also, when a user image variable is created, the double buffer is disabled.

There are 96 types of calculation functions. In addition to general arithmetic operators, trigonometric functions, and comparison operators, you can also define conditional branching (IF statements) and loop function commands (FOR statements).

Up to 1,000 characters. However, parentheses and IF, FOR, and DO LOOP statement nests have limits according to the internal memory. If this limitation is exceeded, a programming error occurs when the program is confirmed, and the cursor jumps to the beginning of the expression where the error occurred.

Type [space]+[underbar]+[return] at the location where you want to add a line break.

There are two ways to perform a search: using [Variable Reference List] and [Search].With [Variable Reference List], you can select the variable you want to find from a list of variables used in the units. Array variables are searched for regardless of the index. Meanwhile, [Search] performs a search for a variable string, so you can specify and search for index data. You can search not only for variables referenced within units but also variables used in screens and custom instructions.

You can shorten the processing time by reducing the calculations within a loop. In addition, the reading time varies depending on the type of variable. The fastest are temporary variables that start with "@" followed by global variables that start with "#" and system variables that start with "%". The slowest are result parameters and setting parameters that start with "!".
Although each of these vary slightly, the difference is more significant when used within a FOR statement.
Example: FOR @a=0 TO 49
#Dist[@a]=LnDist(Line(!U[0009].RSLT.DLXY1:AB,!U[0009].RSLT.DLXY2:AB), !U[0002].RSLT.XY[@a]:AB)
NEXT
In the above example, the portion obtaining Line(!U[0009].RSLT.DLXY1:AB,!U[0009].RSLT.DLXY2:AB) within the loop is placed outside the FOR statement and stored in the #line line variable, and that line variable is referenced within the loop, thereby shortening the processing time.
#line=Line(!U[0009].RSLT.DLXY1:AB,!U[0009].RSLT.DLXY2:AB)
FOR @a=0 TO 49
#Dist[@a]=LnDist(#line,!U[0002].RSLT.XY[@a]:AB)
NEXT
With the above changes, the processing time for calculation is shortened from 0.7 ms to 0.5 ms.

Open the two programs in the XG VisionEditor, and then copy and paste the flowchart from one program to the next program, or copy the variables, switch programs, and paste the variables. Note that variable settings are not copied at the same time.

With the XG and VisionEditor connected, open [Change operating variables] in VisionEditor.
Select the variable to display and click [Get current value of controller] to display the status of the current variable.

Up to 4,000 including region elements for each display template.

Up to 99.

Five.

You can change the color and spacing by clicking [Option] in the [Settings] field of the Screen Editor.

Shapes and text displayed in the bottom line within a unit are displayed in the front. You can use the ▲ and ▼ buttons to adjust the location.

As a basic rule, the unit with the smaller unit number is displayed in the front. However, when a graphics unit is selected by the controller, the selected unit is displayed in the front.

As a basic rule, the unit with the smaller unit number is displayed in the front. However, when a unit is selected, that selected unit is displayed in the front.

You can set the button of a user-created dialog to open a dialog (Change Programs or I/O Diagnostic) that is opened with the function menu dialog. (The program dialog number is D002.)

Display templates can be copied using Screen Browser of the XG VisionEditor.

The external terminals of the XG-7000 Series can be assigned by the user, but by default, the assignments are nearly compatible with the CV-5000 Series.
See the manual or contact your nearest sales representative for details.
The I/O circuit is compatible with the CV-5000 Series and can be used with a conventional terminal block and I/O cable.

These are only valid when output without protocol.
Character strings and symbols (TAB, CR, LF, CR+LF) can be output. In this case, delimiters are not output.
Example: When the format is set to [ABC] and [Edge Pos. X] is output automatically with the format, the result is output as [ABC0060038] and the comma delimiter is not output.
Normally, when [Edge Pos. X] and [Edge Pos. Y] are output continuously with the format automatically, the result is output as [0062536,0032659].

When the file naming rule is set to [Auto], a file is created in the following cases: when performing a reset, turning on the power, changing the program number, or when an output file does not exist on the SD card. When set to [Fixed], a file is created only when an output file does not exist on the SD card. Otherwise, a file is not created, and conditions are added to the existing file.

This can be set by specifying the index to start output and the number of indexes when selecting the data to output. For example, to output indexes 5 to 10 of #Dist[ ], set the data portion to #Dist[5] and the number of indexes to [6].

Yes. Use OW (Change Output Filename) and execute the [OW,nnn,xxxx<DL>] command (nnn: unit ID, xxxx: scalar-type array variable).
Use a calculation to store the character string read by an OCR to a scalar-type array variable with one character as one element.
Example of calculation: FOR @i = 0 TO !U[0002].RSLT.CCN1:MS - 1
#FileName[@i] = !U[0002].RSLT.RCG_CHR[@i]:MS
NEXT
#FileName[@i]=0

If you try to output additional data while images are in the image buffer, the flow is stopped at that point. (Once the image buffer has available space and the transfer of queued images to the buffer is complete, operations start again.)This causes fluctuations in the processing time but all images will be output. If the buffer has available space and images have been transferred to the image buffer, the process does not stop at the output unit.

The maximum number of alphanumeric characters is 256. (A line break is two characters.)

You can connect up to eight XG controllers and perform logging for the output data from each controller.

As part of the specifications, decimal digits can be handled in three ways depending on the format setting.
(1) Automatic
(2) When format 1 to 16 is selected and the number of decimal places is other than 0
(3) When format 1 to 16 is selected and the number of decimal places is 0

For example, when these formats are applied to measurement results and divided into these three conditions.
In the case of (1), data is output in the current state using the result data format. (The value is multiplied by 1,000 times when using decimal digits.)
　Example: ・Edge position 123.456 becomes 123456
　　　 ・Area 123456 becomes 123456
In the case of (2), data is output with the value multiplied by 1,000 times.
　Example: ・Edge position 123.456 becomes 123456
　　　 ・Area 123456 becomes 123456000
In the case of (3), the decimal digits are omitted.
　Example: ・Edge position 123.456 becomes 123
　　　 ・Area 123456 becomes 123456

No, they cannot. The available communication links other than the CC-Link are as follows.
When using the PLC Link (RS-232C): Ethernet can be used but RS-232C cannot be used.
When using the PLC Link (Ethernet): Ethernet cannot be used only when outputting no-protocol results but RS-232C can be used.

The control rules are different with the XG Series, so there is virtually no compatibility between the processes. The PLC command processing flow has also changed, so be sure to check this.
However, the I/O circuit is compatible with the CV-5000 Series and can be used with a conventional terminal block and cable.

Image processing does not stop, but logging on the computer terminates and image output is skipped. (Communication itself is not stopped.)

This refers to VisionTerminal and ActiveX. The same applies to image output units.
For Version 1.0, this refers only to ActiveX. For image output units, this refers to VisionTerminal.

You can obtain images on a computer by using the image archive viewer to save archives of images for the selected generation. You can also register additional images directly to the image file setting at this time.

For the XG-7000 and 7500 Series, up to 501 images in 240,000-pixel monochrome mode, 53 images in 2-megapixel monochrome mode, 496 images in 240,000-pixel color mode, and 48 images in 2-megapixel color mode.
For the XG-7700 Series, up to 1,013 images in 240,000-pixel monochrome mode, 117 images in 2-megapixel monochrome mode, 40 images in 5-megapixel monochrome mode, 1,008 images in 240,000-pixel color mode, 112 images in 2-megapixel color mode, and 35 images in 5-megapixel color mode.
However, the number of images that can be stored varies depending on the defined user image variables and image memory usage when the high speed mode is set to [Update every time (slow)] when searching.

There are a total of four images. When the first NG result occurs, the NG image and the first and second images before the NG image remain in the archive. When a second NG result occurs in succession, only the NG image remains in the archive. The same image is not duplicated.

Yes, if the number of images is within the set number of images.
With the output location function, which stores captured images to the buffer memory before writing them sequentially to the SD card, all image files within the range of the number of images in the buffer memory can be saved.

There are five types.
Select from BMP, BMP (1/2 compression), BMP (1/4 compression), BMP (1/8 compression), and JPEG.
To save a large number of images, select JPEG.　　　

These are updated with the value obtained when passing through the end unit.

The current image and Statistics dialog can be displayed at the same time by changing the transparency of the Statistics dialog. This can be done using the View Bar or [MENU] button on the console.

Up to 16.Only one custom instruction can be set (but the custom instruction can have up to 16 commands).

This can be done in one of two ways.
Normally, the unit judgment value of the command unit is output as the total status.
Note that [Wait Response] must be set as a condition, so a delay in the processing time of the flowchart may occur.
Also, command >internal command errors of the global settings are assigned to %Error0/1 by the user and are output. When a dialog is displayed, the error response which is useful for statistics is also displayed. However, for shared errors such as a disconnected camera, this will result in the equipment stopping due to a command error. Therefore, assignments must be carefully selected. (By default, there are no assignments.)

No commands are executed after an error occurs in a command unit.
The process continues to the next unit with the command only partially executed, so if variables were written, inconsistencies may occur in the results.

The command unit results in a unit error and the command is not executed.
In this case, the command is not output, so even the command error as the error cause is excluded.
Before uploading, this error should be determined by performing a check.

The command is CW,nnnn(unit ID),m(line number),*01.Specify the characters that are to be changed to a direct memory that supports *01 (command parameter), with a value that complies with the character code table (see chapter 6 "Built-in instruction" of the XG VisionEditor Reference Manual (Programming edition)) for the OCR unit. When there are multiple characters, this is specified with two words per character from the direct memory supporting *01. (Up to 20 characters can be changed.)
For example, to change 123 and REG, when the DM supporting *01 is 700, enter 49 for DM700, 50 for DM702, 51 for DM704, and 0 for DM706. (When a direct memory storing 0 is reached, reading finishes.)

This setting can be changed using the TW command.

If variable referencing cancelation has been disabled in the account privileges setting, changes to variable referencing cancelation (such as changing a variable-assigned rectangular area to an arc) cannot be performed.

A subtraction filter can only be deleted when the high speed mode is set to [Constant (fast)].
To disable a subtraction filter when the high speed mode is set to another setting, change the subtraction count to 0 in the parameters.

As a basic rule, this cannot be restored.
However, this can be restored if you select [Cancel] before closing the dialog used to cancel the variable assignment.

This may occur when opening an edit unit dialog for a unit with a setting error.
For example, when an invalid variable or data is assigned, the edit unit dialog cannot be used to make changes so this message appears. However, as an exception, you can open [Inspection Region], [Color] and other [Unspecified errors] that can be set with an edit unit dialog.

The global settings of the controller are in a format supported by Version 2.0 or earlier.
You can check the file version of program files by clicking [System Configuration] > [System Information].

The file version of the program file must be 2.1 or later.
In addition, edit unit dialogs can be used when the [Expand controller adjustment functions] and [Select units for editing] options are enabled. You do not need to make changes to completed flowchart items or define or assign new variables.

All measurement units as well as capture units and image operation units. All other units do not support setting changes.

Yes.
When opening an edit unit dialog from the launcher dialog, use the [Select units for editing] option to select from the corresponding units currently set in the flowchart. You can also make corresponding units always editable.
When an edit unit dialog is opened directly with a command, you can also change corresponding units not selected with the [Select units for editing] option.

Most items of corresponding units can be edited.
Whether an item can be edited or not is indicated in the list of setting data of the XG VisionEditor Reference Manual (Programming edition).
Some supported items must also be set or have variable assignments on the VisionEditor (such as [Count]).

No, they do not as a basic rule.
As an exception, a resultant image variable must be assigned with the VisionEditor for an image operation and scalar array variable storing a filter coefficient assigned to an advanced custom filter. All other items can be changed without assigning variables.
Note that although values can be changed even when a variable is assigned, selecting [Clear] clears the variable assignment and this cannot be restored. (The variable may be canceled automatically, such as when the shape of a region is changed while a variable is assigned to the region coordinates.)
In addition, when a system variable is assigned, that item cannot be changed.

This depends on the flowchart setting status.
Generally, the more units and the more unit result items there are, the more memory that is required. In addition, the use of image operations also uses image memory.

For blobs and other items with file version 2.1 or later, the [Allow change in count value with controller] setting is added. By enabling this setting and setting [Maximum], the controller can be used to change the count in the range of the [Maximum] setting.

The desired edit unit dialog (launcher dialog, top dialog, sub dialog) can be opened directly by specifying the dialog ID with a command, just like other dialogs. The dialog ID is increased to eight digits, enabling the use of conventional DO commands as well as dedicated BU commands.

Just like the CV Series, use of a registered image enables the display of the measurement result, so not only are multiple unit settings possible with the registered image as a reference, as long as the registered image is prepared correctly, the process from setting to results can be completed without preparing the actual image.

This updates the reference value of all position adjustment units set in the flowchart with the measurement results calculated using the registered image. (By default, this is disabled.)
When the position adjustment source and target settings are changed on the registration screen, and then the reference value is updated, the position adjustment settings are completed.
Note that the reference value may not be updated correctly depending on the settings.

Edit unit dialogs can be used by individual simulators.
Settings can be adjusted in a manner similar to that of the CV simulator.
However, [Reload active inspection] must be executed after exiting the simulator so that the changes in the simulator do not overwrite the program file on the workspace.

In the [Disable Function] setting of the launcher unit, select trigger input off and output off so as to fix [Ready] to [Off] and [Data output] to [Off (Normal state)] when opening an edit unit dialog under the top dialog can be performed.
Note that the XG Series does not have [Program mode] and that the edit unit dialog setting also has [Run mode].

Yes.
Units with normal setting errors cannot be set with the edit unit dialogs, but as an exception, [Inspection Region] and [Color] can be set.
However, because variable assignment settings and, in the case of regions, position adjustment assignments and changes are not supported, the same setting changes as that of VisionEditor cannot always be made with a controller.

Once changes are made (confirmed), they are applied immediately.

No.

Yes.
However, custom dialogs cannot be added.
To change the order, use the No. 1 or No. 7 button + up/down.

The changes are overwritten by the data in the VisionEditor.
When an edit unit dialog is used to change parameters that do not have variable assignments, the setting data is rewritten, so the changes are overwritten. When changing parameters with variable assignments, you can of course select whether or not to keep the default settings of the upload target.