Hikrobot Vision Sensors

SCMVS Manual

Practical guide to connecting SC1000 and SC2000 smart cameras and building an inspection in SCMVS.

Download as a pdf

SC1000 and SC2000 cameras — SC1000 and SC2000 vision sensors with built-in processing

Overview SC1000 vs SC2000

Both cameras are configured via SCMVS (Smart Camera Computer Vision Software). They perform image processing onboard and return OK/NG results via I/O, Ethernet or RS-232.

SC1000 Series

Compact (38 × 38 × 19 mm), ~40 g
Resolution 640 × 480 or 1024 × 768 (model-dependent), 15 fps
Focal length 3.1 mm or 4.9 mm; monochrome or colour
6-pin green terminal + RJ45
1× input (line 0), 1× output (line 1)
Trigger via button on top
IP54

SC2000 Series

Resolution of 704 × 540 to 1920 × 1280 (model-dependent)
Up to 75 fps; various focal lengths (approx. 5–16 mm)
Mono or color, depending on model
M12 connector / IO box (depending on version)
Multiple configurable I/O lines
Output supports nPN only
IP65, built-in LED lighting

Connection

Both cameras work on 12–24 VDC. Recommendation: use 24 VDC as the power supply.

SC1000

Attach camera with M3 screws
Connect 6-pin connector: red = VCC, black = GND
Connect RJ45 to PC or switch (Cat 5 or higher)
Optional: I/O via blue (Line 0 in) and grey (Line 1 out)

SC2000

Attach camera (M2 screws, possibly insulation bracket)
Connect 17-pin M12 cable
Use the supplied 8-pin IO box for power supply and I/O
Connect RJ45 for Ethernet
Optional: DB9 for RS-232

Indicators

SC1000 Green PWR = ON. OK/NG lights show inspection result.

SC2000: Green PWR = ON. LNK = network. sts = status.

Download & Install SCMVS

SCMVS is the client software that allows you to find cameras, set the IP, build projects and monitor results. Install this before: before continuing with the network and login.

Download

Both packages are available on the Hikrobot Download Center:

Hikrobot Download Center →

SCMVS

Smart Camera software, projects, tools, I/O, output. This is the main software for projects and inspections.

MVS Client

Viewer + IP configurator. Fallback for network access, not intended for inspection projects.

Compatible with Windows 7/10/11 (32/64-bit) and Linux.

Installation

Double click on the installer file.
Choose language → accept license → Start Setup
Choose installation folder → Next → complete installation
Start SCMVS

Set Network & IP Address

PC and camera must be on the same network same subnet. Check the subnet used by your machine (for example, 192.168.1.x), the camera IP must fall within it.

SCMVS

Complete smart camera software. Use this to find cameras, the - Change IP address, build inspection projects and set up I/O.

MVS (Computer Vision Software)

Only one viewer, no projects or tools. Fallback if SCMVS does not find the camera or does not allow the IP to be changed.

Set camera IP in SCMVS

Open SCMVS → click on Refresh in the device list
Right-click on the camera → IP address
Set IP in the same subnet, e.g. 192.168.1.64
Click OK and wait for the camera to reappear

Fallback: access the camera with MVS

If the camera does not appear in SCMVS, or the IP cannot be changed, use MVS. That's the standard Hikrobot viewer, not a replacement for SCMVS, but often smoother for network access:

Still finding cameras on the network
Change IP address when SCMVS fails
Adjust network behavior of the camera (DHCP ↔ static, subnet, gateway)
View live image and check basic camera settings

MVS is on the same Hikrobot Download Center as SCMVS (Software → MVS Client).

Install MVS and start the client
Click on Device List (or similar search icon) to scan cameras
Right-click on the camera → IP Configurator or Modify IP
Set IP in the same subnet, e.g. 192.168.1.64
Confirm and wait for the camera to be online again

When what? Always try the IP first via SCMVS. If that does not work, use NCTS as a fallback. Then continue working in SCMVS for your inspection project.

Login

User Name: admin

Password: Abc1234

Click on the camera in the device list
Log in with admin / Abc1234

I/O & Trigger

What is a trigger?

A trigger is a signal that tells the camera when to take a new image. As soon as the trigger comes in, the camera captures an image and immediately performs the set inspection.

Without a trigger, the camera waits for the next signal. The camera will not take a new image and will not perform a new inspection.

A trigger does not always have to come from a PLC. A photocell, push button, encoder or the physical trigger button on the camera can also be used as a trigger source. Which source is available depends on the camera model and configuration.

Continuous mode vs Trigger mode

Smart cameras can usually work in two ways.

Continuous mode

In continuous mode, the camera is constantly taking new images. This is useful when developing an inspection, as changes are immediately visible.

Typical applications:

Develop Inspection
Focus Camera
Adjust exposure
Testing tools

Trigger mode:

In trigger mode, the camera waits for an external signal. Only when a trigger is received, one image is created and the inspection is carried out.

This is the most commonly used mode in production environments, as each inspection takes place at exactly the right time.

Common Trigger Sources

The trigger can come from different devices.

Trigger source	Scope
PLC	Product comes in the right position
Fotocel	Product passes the sensor
Encoder	Position on a conveyor belt
Push button	For manual testing.
Trigger button on camera	Testing during installation
Software Trigger	Testing from SCMVS or Hikrobot software

Digital I/O.

The digital inputs and outputs enable communication between the camera and other machines.

Inputs

An input receives an electrical signal.

Examples:

Start an inspection
reset camera
Switch Recipe
Trigger Received

Outputs

An output sends a signal to another device.

Examples:

Inspection OK
Inspection NOK
Camera Busy
Result ready
Alarm

PNP and NPN

With industrial sensors, there are two commonly used ways to connect digital signals.

Type	Function
PNP (Sourcing)	Delivers +24V when active
NPN (Sinking)	Connects the output to 0 V when active

The camera and PLC must be connected in the same way. Therefore, always check which type of I/O is used by both devices.

Practical points of attention

Use preferably PNP when both the PLC and the camera support this.
SC1000 NPN often works in practice untrustworthy. Use PNP, or a relay/optocoupler as an intermediate step.
SC2000 output: supports according to datasheet nPN only, pay attention when linking to PNP-PLC inputs.
Always follow the wiring diagram from the Hikrobot manual.
Use the prescribed pull-up or pull-down resistors when indicated in the documentation.
Before commissioning, check that the I/O status changes correctly when a sensor or PLC output is activated.

Photocell and interface relay for trigger — Example: photocell with interface relay as external trigger source

I/O allocation in SCMVS

Standard with SC2000: Line 0 = trigger, Line 1/2 = solution switch. Only one I/O channel can act as trigger at the same time.

Configure I/O via: Menu → IO Settings / IO Allocation

Basic workflow in SCMVS

Each inspection solution follows the same three steps. This is the core of working with smart cameras.

1

Camera Base Image

The base image (reference image) is the starting point for every tool. Set the lighting, focus, exposure and gain so the product is shown consistently and sharply.

Position the camera and focus with the focus button
Adjust exposure and gain until the image is properly exposed
Capture the reference image as the basis for all tools
Optional: calibration for measurements in mm/pixels

2

_Tools

Tools are the inspection algorithms. You add them to your project, draw ROIs (regions) on the image, and set thresholds. Multiple tools can be used in series, the end result is OK or NG.

Add tool via Tool Display Area → choose type (Existence, Count, Measurement, …)
Draw ROI on the live image
Set parameters and thresholds
Test with Run Once / Run Loop

3

Output

Output determines how the inspection result reaches the outside world: via digital I/O (OK/NG signal), Ethernet (TCP/Modbus/PROFINET), or RS-232.

Configure which I/O line indicates OK vs NG
Set communication protocol (Modbus, TCP, etc.)
Format output text if needed
Save the project and switch to Run mode

Operation flow

Login → Create Project → Base Image → Tools → Output → Run & Save

Tools, short overview

Both cameras offer similar tool categories. SC2000 has additional tools (OCR, pattern count, etc.).

Existence

Is the item present? Edge, spot, contour, circle, pattern existence.

Count

Count objects: spot count, edge count, contour count.

Measurement

Distance, width, diameter, angle, contrast, grayscale.

Recognition

Classification, category recognition. SC2000: also OCR.

Logic

Combine tool results: AND/OR, conditions, format output.

Location

Fixture, compensate for positional variation of the product.

Common Problems

Camera does not appear in SCMVS

Check the power supply (indicator on?), network cable and whether you are on the same subnet. Click refresh in SCMVS. If the camera still does not appear, or the IP change does not work, use NCTS as fallback via the IP Configurator.

Image is too dark

Increase exposure and gain. Check that the LED lights are on.

No image in live view

Camera is probably in trigger mode. Send a trigger signal or press the button on the camera.