Meeting Modern Engineering Challenges Manufacturing engineers face increasingly complex automation...
The industrial automation environment demands reliable monitoring solutions that can provide both real-time observation and after-the-fact analysis. SICK's SEC110 EventCam delivers on both fronts with an industrial-grade design and sophisticated event-based recording capabilities tailored for manufacturing environments.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
The SEC110 is a compact industrial camera measuring just 57.5 x 49 x 33.6 mm and weighing only 120g, designed for streaming and event recording in harsh industrial environments. At its core is a 5-megapixel color CMOS sensor with 2880 x 1616 pixel resolution, providing a wide detection angle of 82° x 52° with working distances ranging from 300mm to 10,000mm. The camera's IP65 rated aluminum and polycarbonate housing with protected glass window ensures durability in challenging conditions.
Video capabilities include multiple formats and resolutions, supporting full resolution at 25 fps, Full HD at 30 fps, and 720p at 30 fps. The event recording buffer accommodates 10 seconds at full resolution, extending to 20 seconds at Full HD and 40 seconds at 720p and below. Connectivity is maintained through industrial-grade M12 connections for both power and Ethernet, while the operating temperature range spans from 0°C to +50°C. For storage, the camera includes 6GB internal memory with FTP upload capability for transferring captured footage to external systems.
Streamlined Setup Process
Setting up the SEC110 is remarkably straightforward, requiring minimal technical expertise. The camera can be connected directly to a network via its industrial M12 Ethernet connector, and can be configured either through DHCP or with a static IP (default is 192.168.136.100).
The integrated web server eliminates the need for specialized software – any standard web browser can access the camera's interface by entering its IP address. From there, users can configure video streaming parameters, set up snapshot and event recording triggers, adjust image quality and resolution settings, and configure pre-trigger and post-trigger recording durations.
For industrial integration, the camera supports both digital input triggering via its M12 power connector and software triggering through its REST API.
Industrial Applications
The SEC110 excels in various industrial scenarios, particularly in process monitoring and blind spots. With its compact size and wide viewing angle, the SEC110 can be mounted in locations where space is limited but visual monitoring is crucial. The camera's ability to stream in real-time via RTSP and MJPEG protocols enables continuous monitoring of critical processes and areas that are otherwise difficult to observe.
For quality documentation purposes, machine builders and manufacturing facilities can utilize the snapshot capability to capture images for quality control records. The camera can be programmed to take images at specific intervals or triggered by external signals, with images stored either in internal memory or uploaded to an FTP server.
Perhaps the most valuable feature is the event recording capability, which allows the camera to capture video footage before and after an event trigger. This is particularly useful for diagnosing intermittent machine issues that are difficult to replicate. A machine experiencing occasional jams can have the camera triggered by the jam detection sensor, with the resulting video capturing both the conditions leading up to the jam (up to 40 seconds prior) and the aftermath. Maintenance teams can then analyze the footage to identify root causes that might otherwise go undetected.
The recorded footage also serves as valuable material for operator training, demonstrating proper procedures and highlighting potential safety risks in actual production scenarios.
Integration Flexibility
The SEC110 offers extensive integration options for industrial systems through its REST API for programmatic control and configuration, RTSP and MJPEG streaming protocols compatible with most industrial HMI systems, external triggers via the M12 power connector, and FTP upload capabilities for captured images and videos. This flexibility allows the camera to integrate with existing industrial control systems, HMIs, and SCADA systems without requiring significant modification.
Conclusion
The SICK SEC110 Industrial EventCam delivers a robust combination of real-time monitoring and event-based recording in a compact, industrially hardened package. Its straightforward setup and versatile triggering options make it an excellent choice for manufacturing operations looking to improve process visibility, troubleshoot intermittent issues, and document quality procedures.
For machine builders, system integrators, and manufacturing engineers facing challenges with process monitoring or sporadic error diagnosis, the SEC110 provides a cost-effective solution that can be implemented with minimal technical overhead while delivering significant operational insights.
1. Visual Verification for Packaging Assurance The SEC110 can be used to capture snapshots of packaged goods before they are sealed or shipped. This provides a visual record to confirm that the correct contents were present at the time of packaging, helping to resolve potential customer complaints or shipment discrepancies. It's a simple but powerful way for quality assurance teams to document outgoing product condition without complex vision processing.
2. Event Monitoring in Automated Systems In event-based applications such as detecting object jams, misfeeds, or machine status changes, the SEC110 provides real-time image capture triggered by sensors or PLC signals. This allows operators or systems to respond immediately to unexpected conditions, helping to minimize downtime and ensure smoother operation.
