Find the hardware that helps your machine see and decide.

A Hikrobot camera is an industrial camera for machine vision, quality control, identification, measurement or robot guidance. The range includes area scan cameras, line scan cameras, smart cameras, code readers and 3D cameras. The right model depends on the task, field of view, smallest detail, speed and required interface.

Start with what must be visible or measured, not with megapixels. Define the field of view, smallest relevant feature, working distance, product speed, installation space and communication with the PLC or PC. This guides the choice between an area scan camera, line scan camera, smart camera, code reader or 3D camera.

An area scan camera captures a complete two-dimensional frame with each exposure and suits discrete products and bounded fields of view. A line scan camera builds an image one line at a time while the product or camera moves. It suits continuous materials, wide webs, cylindrical surfaces and fast conveyor processes.

A smart camera combines image acquisition, processing and decision logic in one device. It is practical for compact, repeatable inspections that must send a result directly to a PLC. PC-based vision can offer more flexibility for many cameras, high processing loads, custom software or complex AI. See our smart camera versus PC-based vision comparison.

An industrial machine vision camera is designed for repeatable acquisition, external triggering, controlled exposure and long-term use in machinery. It supplies raw or controlled image data to vision software. Consumer and surveillance cameras usually optimise images for human viewing and provide less control over timing, synchronisation and processing.

The required resolution follows from the field of view and the smallest detail that must be detected or measured reliably. More megapixels are not automatically better because they also increase bandwidth, processing and storage requirements. First calculate how many pixels the critical feature should cover. Our guide to camera resolution, FOV and working distance explains the process.

A global shutter exposes all pixels at the same time. This prevents geometric distortion on moving products and is often important on conveyors, robotic motion and fast inspections. A rolling shutter reads image lines sequentially and can distort moving objects, although it can be suitable for static applications.

GigE is attractive for longer cable runs, flexible network topologies and multi-camera systems; some configurations support power over Ethernet. USB3 offers high bandwidth and a direct industrial-PC connection, generally over shorter distances. Resolution, frame rate, cable routing, triggering and the available PC interface also matter. Explore the Hikrobot GigE cameras for more selection criteria.

The lens must match the sensor size, lens mount, field of view, working distance and required detail. Also consider distortion, depth of field and aperture. Telecentric optics may be relevant for accurate measurement. Always assess camera and lens as one combination; a suitable camera with the wrong lens will not produce a usable image.

Vision software can only decide from contrast present in the image. The shape, angle, wavelength and diffusion of the lighting determine whether a scratch, contour, print or code becomes visible. Good machine vision lighting stabilises acquisition and reduces dependence on ambient light and software correction.

Hikrobot offers fixed code readers for common 1D and 2D codes and models intended for direct part marking. Feasibility depends strongly on code size, contrast, surface, speed and reading distance. For reflective, damaged or very small codes, we prefer to test the code reader and lighting with actual parts. Explore the Hikrobot code readers.

Choose 3D when height, volume, shape or depth position is required and a 2D image does not contain enough information. Examples include bin picking, volume measurement, height inspection and robot guidance with variable poses. The appropriate technology depends on measurement volume, accuracy, surface, ambient light and cycle time. Explore our industrial 3D cameras.

Yes, although the practical connection depends on the camera and architecture. A smart camera or code reader can communicate decision results directly; a PC-based camera supplies images to software that communicates with the PLC, robot or machine controls. Define signals, protocols, cycle times and error handling before selection.

Configuration software and development components are available for PC-based machine vision, depending on the camera and platform. Before selection, verify the operating system, programming environment, camera interface and required functions such as triggering and parameter management. Sedeco can align the hardware choice with the intended software architecture.

Yes. A practical test is especially useful when contrast, reflection, speed, small defects or code quality are uncertain. Provide representative good and defective parts plus working distance, available space and cycle time. We can then assess the camera, lens and lighting as a complete imaging setup.