The Challenge

A manufacturer operating a high-speed robotic assembly line needed to upgrade the network supporting its machine vision system. GigE Vision cameras were installed near robotic arms and inspection points throughout the line, capturing images used for part alignment, quality verification, barcode reading, and process control.

The application required more than a basic Gigabit connection. Some cameras operated at 1Gbps, while higher-resolution cameras and faster frame-rate applications required 2.5G, 5G, or 10G connectivity. As the production line continued to evolve, the customer also wanted a network platform that could support future camera upgrades without replacing the switch infrastructure.

The customer needed a solution that could:

• Deliver PoE power to machine vision cameras over shielded Cat 6 cable
• Support 1G, 2.5G, 5G, and 10G camera connections based on application requirements
• Provide stable high-speed data transmission for real-time image capture
• Withstand vibration, electrical noise, and harsh industrial conditions
• Reduce the need for separate power wiring at each camera location
• Support future machine vision upgrades as camera speeds and frame rates increase

 

The Solution

The customer selected the Omnitron RuggedNet® 10GMGPoE+/Mi managed industrial multi-gigabit PoE switch to connect and power the GigE Vision cameras used across the robotic assembly line.

The RuggedNet switch allowed the customer to connect cameras at the appropriate Ethernet speed for each application. Standard GigE Vision cameras could operate at 1Gbps, while higher-performance cameras could be connected at multi-gigabit speeds, including 2.5G, 5G, or 10G, depending on resolution, frame rate, and image-processing requirements.

Using shielded Cat 6 cable, each camera received both PoE power and high-speed data connectivity from the RuggedNet switch. This simplified installation around robotic arms and assembly equipment by reducing the number of power supplies, outlets, and cable runs required near moving machinery.

The switch was installed close to the production equipment, providing a rugged network connection between the machine vision cameras and the plant’s vision processing and control systems. Its industrial design made it suitable for deployment in demanding factory environments where uptime, noise immunity, and long-term reliability are critical.

The Results

With the RuggedNet 10GMGPoE+/Mi, the customer was able to build a more reliable and flexible machine vision network for the robotic assembly line.

The solution provided:

• PoE power and high-speed data over a single shielded Cat 6 cable
• 1G, 2.5G, 5G, and 10G connectivity for different GigE Vision camera requirements
• Support for high-frame-rate image capture and real-time inspection workflows
• Reduced cabling complexity around robotic arms and production equipment
• A future-ready network platform for higher-speed camera upgrades
• Industrial-grade performance for continuous manufacturing operations

By moving to a multi-gigabit PoE platform, the customer avoided designing the network around today’s camera requirements only. The same switch infrastructure could support a mix of current 1Gbps cameras and newer multi-gigabit cameras as the line expanded or inspection requirements became more demanding.

Why Omnitron Systems

Omnitron RuggedNet® industrial switches are built for automation environments where reliable network connectivity is essential to production uptime. The RuggedNet 10GMGPoE+/Mi provides managed multi-gigabit PoE connectivity in a compact industrial platform, making it well suited for machine vision, robotic work cells, inspection systems, and other high-speed factory automation applications.

For manufacturers deploying GigE Vision cameras, the RuggedNet 10GMGPoE+/Mi helps simplify installation while providing the bandwidth needed for high-resolution imaging and fast frame-rate applications. Its support for multiple Ethernet speeds also helps future-proof the network as camera technology continues to advance.

Engineered and manufactured in the USA, Omnitron RuggedNet switches provide the rugged performance, long-term availability, and technical support required for mission-critical industrial networks.

Key Benefits

1. Managed industrial multi-gigabit PoE switch
2. Supports 1G, 2.5G, 5G, and 10G camera connections
3. PoE power and data over shielded Cat 6 cable
4. Ideal for GigE Vision cameras and robotic assembly lines
5. Supports high-speed image capture and machine vision inspection
6. Future-ready platform for higher-performance cameras
7. Industrial design for harsh manufacturing environments
8. Made in the USA
9. TAA, BAA, and NDAA compliant