Balluff’s BVS universal vision sensor offers 360° part position detection, defect finding, contour-based counting and matching, barcode reading (linear and 2-D DM), and optical character verification (OCV). It also includes a serial port and digital I/O. Available in a 6, 8, and 12 mm (0.24, 0.31, and 0.47 in) lens versions with either a built-in visible red or infrared ring light, the BVS universal vision sensor adds a powerful 360° algorithm, providing performance much like that of higher-priced vision systems, but in a much simpler, smaller package and at a significantly lower price, claims Balluff. Suitable for a wide range of applications, the sensor can be used for assembly and presence control, reading and verification of codes, and advanced part position detection. According to Balluff, it can read multiple codes at once and is extremely fast.