Controls, Robotics & Machine Integration

PLC communication, runtime sequencing, robot coordination, and machine-level integration for production systems

LM3 designs inspection, measurement, and validation systems that integrate directly with production equipment. These systems do not operate as isolated camera packages. They communicate with PLCs, robots, sensors, HMIs, databases, and line equipment so inspection results can trigger real machine-level decisions.

Whether the application requires pass/fail signaling, robot coordination, reject handling, recipe selection, operator feedback, or synchronized image capture, LM3 engineers the control logic around the actual production sequence, machine architecture, and integration requirements of the process.

Core Competencies

PLC communication and discrete I/O integration
Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, PROFINET, and machine protocol support
Trigger, handshake, and inspection-in-progress logic
Pass/fail/fault output mapping
HMI feedback and operator interaction
Recipe, job, and part-program selection
Runtime sequencing and machine-state coordination
Robot timing, motion coordination, and part localization
Reject, sort, hold, route, or stop logic
Integration with sensors, cameras, lighting, test devices, and databases

Runtime Sequencing & Machine Logic

Runtime sequencing defines how the inspection system behaves during the production cycle. LM3 structures sequencing around the actual machine process, including when inspection is triggered, how recipes are selected, how results are consolidated, how faults are displayed, and how operators interact with the system through HMI screens, reset logic, or review workflows.

Core Competencies

Cycle-based inspection timing
Recipe and job selection
Multi-step inspection workflows
Machine-ready state handling
Reset, bypass, and fault handling
HMI status and operator feedback
Multi-camera result aggregation
Pass/fail decision consolidation
Reject, route, hold, or stop logic
Station-level workflow coordination

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Production Applications

Machine-state coordination, inspection timing, recipe logic, HMI workflows, and production sequence control

Runtime sequencing is used when an inspection system must operate as part of the machine cycle rather than as a standalone camera check. LM3 designs sequencing logic around trigger timing, inspection-in-progress states, recipe selection, result consolidation, operator interaction, fault handling, reset behavior, and machine-ready conditions. This allows the inspection system to coordinate with the PLC, HMI, robot, sensors, reject handling, and downstream equipment in a controlled production sequence.

PLC & Industrial Communication

PLC and industrial communication are used when inspection, measurement, or validation results need to participate directly in the machine cycle. LM3 integrates PAQi-based systems with PLCs, robots, sensors, HMIs, and line equipment using discrete I/O, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, PROFINET, and other communication methods based on the customer’s controls architecture and production requirements.

Core Competencies

Discrete input and output mapping
Ethernet/IP communication
Modbus TCP communication
PROFINET communication
Trigger and handshake logic
Pass/fail/fault result outputs
Inspection-ready and in-progress states
Recipe and job selection signals
PLC-to-HMI result coordination
Communication with sensors, robots, and external devices

Production Applications

Discrete I/O, industrial communication protocols, trigger logic, handshakes, and result exchange

PLC communication is used when the inspection system must become part of the machine’s control environment rather than simply display a result. LM3 configures triggers, result outputs, fault states, reset logic, part-program selection, and data exchange so inspection results can support reject handling, machine stops, operator alerts, routing decisions, or downstream automation.

Robotics & Motion Integration

Robotics and motion integration are used when robot movement, part positioning, or motion-timed inspection is part of the production process. LM3 supports systems where robots present parts to cameras, cameras move with robots, vision provides localization or coordinate feedback, or inspection results drive sorting, placement, reject handling, or downstream routing.

Core Competencies

Vision-guided pick and place
Part localization and position feedback
Robot-presented inspection
Camera-on-robot inspection
Motion-timed image capture
Robot trigger coordination
Coordinate output to robot or PLC
Good/bad sorting logic
Part placement verification
Robot and inspection cycle synchronization

Production Applications

Robot-presented inspection, vision-guided positioning, motion-timed capture, part localization, and automated sorting

Robotics and motion integration are used when inspection must be coordinated with robot movement, part handling, camera positioning, or automated sorting. LM3 supports applications where robots present parts to fixed cameras, cameras are mounted to robot arms, vision systems provide coordinate feedback, or inspection results determine how parts are placed, rejected, routed, or advanced through the process. These systems are engineered around robot timing, image capture windows, part presentation, PLC coordination, and repeatable motion-based inspection conditions.

Machine Build & Automation Integration

Machine build and automation integration are used when the project requires more than an inspection subsystem. LM3 can design, build, and integrate complete production equipment or machine-level subsystems around the inspection, measurement, validation, handling, and controls requirements of the application.

Core Competencies

Machine concept development
Mechanical and electrical architecture
Camera, sensor, and controls integration
Fixture, nest, and tooling coordination
Robot, actuator, and motion integration
Control cabinet and field-device integration
HMI and operator workflow development
Safety and machine-state coordination
Production-ready wiring, mounting, and packaging
Installation, validation, and commissioning support

Production Applications

Custom machine architecture, automation hardware, controls integration, mechanical buildout, and production-ready system deployment

Machine build and automation integration are used when inspection, measurement, robotics, controls, and part handling need to be engineered together as one production system. LM3 can support full machine builds, retrofit existing equipment, or provide the vision, controls, measurement, and test subsystem inside a larger machine build led by a partner or integrator.