Application of Shidian Technology EC5R Integrated I/O in 3C vision inspection equipment

In the 3C industry, AOI inspection of appearance defects on components such as phone back covers and electronic glass covers is a key part of quality control. Such equipment has scattered inspection points and diverse sensor types, placing high demands on the deployment flexibility and signal transmission stability of I/O modules. This case study focuses on 3C vision inspection equipment, demonstrating the application practice of Shidian Technology's EC5R series Integrated I/O.

Shidian Technology products used in this case study

EC5R-3200

(EtherCAT bus, 32-channel digital input, NPN/PNP compatible)

EC5R-0032B

(EtherCAT bus, 32-channel digital output, PNP)

I. Equipment overview

3C vision inspection equipment typically consists of an automatic feeding unit, a positioning and clamping unit, a vision inspection unit, and an unloading and sorting unit, completing the entire process from workpiece feeding, positioning and fixing, image capture inspection, to good/defective product sorting.

The entire line needs to collect two types of signals: magnetic switch signals, used to determine whether the actions of pneumatic actuators such as clamping cylinders, lifting cylinders, and pushing cylinders are completed; and diffuse reflective photoelectric signals, used to determine whether the workpiece has reached the specified location.

II. Shidian Technology solution

The inspection points of the vision inspection equipment, such as the feeding port, positioning station, and sorting port, are distributed at different locations, requiring simultaneous connection of magnetic switch and diffuse reflective photoelectric signals, placing high demands on the channel connection convenience and deployment flexibility of I/O modules.

III. Solution architecture

Control layer:

The Inovance Easy521 PLC serves as the core controller, responsible for inspection process logic scheduling, vision algorithm trigger signal coordination, and loading/unloading cycle control.

Network layer:

Both EC5R-3200 and EC5R-0032B connect to the PLC via the EtherCAT bus, with modules cascaded in sequence along the production line; a single bus supports up to 72 slaves, resulting in a clear network structure.

Field layer:

The EC5R-3200 handles digital signal acquisition at inspection points such as the feeding port, positioning station, and sorting port, collecting magnetic switch and diffuse reflective photoelectric signals; the EC5R-0032B handles the actuator outputs at each drive station, driving solenoid valves to actuate clamping cylinders, lifting cylinders, pushing cylinders, and other actuators.

IV. Application Results

V. Shidian Technology EC5R Series Integrated I/O Module

The Shidian Technology EC5R series Integrated I/O Module integrates communication and I/O functions, using an EtherCAT Industrial Ethernet Fieldbus Interface.

Modules feature a compact horizontal structure and support two Installation Method options: DIN 35 mm Standard DIN Rail latch-type and fixed-type. An optional Dust cover enables installation outside the cabinet. They provide Short-circuit Protection, Reverse connection protection, Surge protection, Disconnection Detection, Diagnostics alarm, Module Fault Auto-Recovery and online Firmware Upgrade Functions, and the innovative Channel indicator design makes Channel Status clear at a glance, facilitating on-site inspection and maintenance.

It is widely used in scenarios such as intelligent batching, material handling, packaging and 3C electronics that require distributed I/O deployment and simplified field wiring.