Cognex Corporation (www.cognex.com) is proud to announce the release of its all-new  – a comprehensive suite of communication capabilities such as PROFINET and EtherNet/IP. It already comes with the DataMan 200 fixed-mount ID reader series and In-Sight vision systems. The Cognex Connect allows industrial connectivity for DataMan 8000 ID readers from Cognex via EtherNet/IP support – a first for industrial handheld ID readers.

As it supports open standard industrial Ethernet communications protocols, Cognex Connect facilitates monitoring and configuration of a network of Cognex vision systems and ID readers. As a network device, In-Sight and DataMan devices can be accessed from any terminal linked to the network. This eliminates the need for a host PC to translate USB or RS-232 communications to a programmable logic controller (PLC) or central network. The protocols allow for images and data files to be directly archived through FTP support for later analysis and review. DataMan ID readers offer a .NET based command library to customize terminal interfaces and user-specific GUIs, as well as provide control through a simple command line interface.

“By adding industrial protocols, the DataMan 8000 series is the first and only handheld ID reader to allow a direct connection to a PLC-acting as a node on the factory network,” said Carl Gerst, Cognex’s Business Unit Manager for ID Products. “DataMan readers with Cognex Connect completely eliminate the need for a PC and simplify the integration into the factory network, reducing costs and downtime.”