Cameras
Smart cameras
Industrial cameras with inspection tools in the firmware. The camera judges the image itself and sends pass/fail, a measurement or I/O bits to the PLC. Suitable when field of view, lighting and tools are stable enough for the station job.
Typical station
Fixed station job, result to the PLC
On a station with a fixed field of view the camera checks that a part is present, that print is readable, or that a shape is within tolerance. Tools run on the camera; the PLC gets the result without a PC next to the line. Move to a PC-based stack when you need custom algorithms, many cameras, or tools the firmware does not have. If identification is the only job, compare a code reader. Background: what a smart camera is and smart vs PC.
Help with selection
Send samples or a photo of the station. We will say which smart-camera models fit, and which lens and lighting they need.