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HIKROBOT series // 4

Typical HIKROBOT inspection station configurations, and the scenarios HIKROBOT highlights

From a single vision sensor to multi-camera, line scan and 3D stations: what each configuration suits, and where HIKROBOT shows its products used.

By addaScan engineering teamTechnical review: Frank GuoPublished 7 min read

Which configuration fits your line?
// Short answer

Most HIKROBOT-based inspection stations fall into six configurations: a single vision sensor for simple checks, a single smart camera running VisionMaster for labels, codes and defects on one view, a fixed code reader for barcode and DataMatrix matching, a multi-camera station with a vision controller for several views, a line scan station for webs, and a 3D laser profile station for heights and volume. HIKROBOT’s catalogue highlights cases in packaging, automotive, medical, lithium, photovoltaic and semiconductor production.

A note on “most popular”

We do not have sales or installation statistics for HIKROBOT products, and we will not guess them. This page therefore shows two things we can stand behind: the configurations that most packaging and parts inspection stations end up as, from our engineering work, and the scenarios HIKROBOT itself highlights in its product catalogue (HIKROBOT catalogue 2025 Q4). HIKROBOT product names are used as HIKROBOT publishes them; this website does not claim any official HIKROBOT partnership or distributor status.

Six typical configurations

Each configuration is built on one HIKROBOT device class: a vision sensor, a smart camera, a code reader, or a HIKROBOT camera (area scan or line scan) with a vision controller or PC. A HIKROBOT machine vision camera is connected and its parameters set in HIKROBOT MVS, the camera client software (HIKROBOT camera user manual); the inspection itself then runs in VisionMaster. Where we work, in South Africa, the configuration is chosen after a sample test on your products.

A. Single vision sensor

Hardware: An SC1000, SC2000 or SC3000 vision sensor with its built-in light, digital I/O to the PLC, a reject

Typical checks: Cap present, part present and the right way round, a simple count or character check from one view

Limit: One view, fixed tool set; not for many variants

Presence and counting →

B. Single smart camera

Hardware: An SC5000X or SC6000 smart camera running VisionMaster, external light where needed, PLC link, reject with confirmation

Typical checks: Label and date code on one face, OCR/OCV, a deep-learning defect check on one region

Limit: One view; processing time sets the line rate it can keep up with

Label inspection →

C. Fixed code reader

Hardware: An ID2000, ID3000 or ID5000 code reader, light or lens cap for the material, PLC protocol, reject for no-read and wrong code

Typical checks: Barcodes, DataMatrix and QR codes on units, cartons and parts; content matched to the batch or order

Limit: Reads codes only; no label or print inspection

Carton and pallet verification →

D. Multi-camera station

Hardware: Several HIKROBOT GigE area scan cameras with lights, a VC-series vision controller or PC running VisionMaster, operator screen, PLC network link

Typical checks: All-round labels on round bottles, empty bottle base, sidewall and finish, several checks and many products

Limit: More engineering, wiring and space

Empty bottle inspection →

E. Line scan web station

Hardware: HIKROBOT line scan camera(s) (CL series), encoder, line light, controller or PC, defect map and marking or line stop

Typical checks: Film, foil, paper, board and fabric; print defects on the press

Limit: Needs a stable web path and encoder

Web inspection →

F. 3D measurement station

Hardware: A DP-series 3D laser profile sensor, encoder, controller or PC running 3D tools

Typical checks: Heights, steps, flatness and volume that a 2D camera cannot measure

Limit: Shiny or dark surfaces and steep walls need testing

Dimensional inspection →

The configurations side by side

Typical HIKROBOT station configurations compared
AspectA. Vision sensorB. Smart cameraC. Code readerD. Multi-cameraE. Line scanF. 3D
ViewsOneOneOne read windowSeveralOne line across the webOne profile line
Tool setFixed, basicFull VisionMaster incl. deep learningCode readingFull VisionMaster incl. deep learningWeb tools, defect map3D tools
Products / recipesFewManyManyManyManySeveral
Engineering effortLowestLow to mediumLowHighHighMedium to high

Scenarios HIKROBOT highlights

HIKROBOT’s 2025 Q4 catalogue illustrates its smart cameras and code readers with cases from these industries (HIKROBOT catalogue 2025 Q4). They show where the vendor sees its products used; they are not a ranking. The last column says where addaScan works.

Industry cases highlighted in the HIKROBOT catalogue and where addaScan works
IndustryCases HIKROBOT showsaddaScanOur page
PackagingPackage labelling inspection at very high speed; number inspection on food packaging; bottle cap presence detectionYes: our coreFood and beverage
Automotive and auto partsError-proofing on multi-model wheels, wheel bearings and parts before assembly; door handle screw installationYesMetal components
ManufacturingIncoming material check on vibrating tray feedersYesPresence and counting
Robot guidanceRobot-arm guided picking and multi-point checksCase by caseTechnology
MedicalPill box code traceability; test tube information, classification and liquid levelNot a focus—
Lithium battery, photovoltaic, semiconductorBattery information and colour checks, cell and cover code reading; PV module and silicon rod codes; wafer font recognitionNot a focus—

Which configuration fits the checks on this site

Mapped against the inspection applications described on this site, three configurations cover most of them: a single smart camera (B) for labels, date codes and defects on one face; a fixed code reader (C) for barcode and DataMatrix matching on units and cartons; and a multi-camera station (D) where round containers or several checks need more than one view. A single vision sensor (A) covers the simplest presence checks, and line scan (E) and 3D (F) stations serve the more specialised web and height measurements. This is a design mapping, not market data.

How each is chosen is covered in choosing a HIKROBOT smart camera and choosing a HIKROBOT code reader, and how it is commissioned in the commissioning procedure.

// FAQ

Questions about HIKROBOT configurations

What is the most common HIKROBOT configuration for a packaging line?
There are no public statistics that answer that. For the packaging checks described on this site, the configurations that fit most of them are a single smart camera for label and code checks, a fixed code reader for barcode and DataMatrix matching, and a multi-camera station with a vision controller where round containers need several views.
Which industries does HIKROBOT show machine vision cases for?
Its 2025 Q4 catalogue shows cases from automotive and auto parts, medical, lithium batteries, packaging, robot guidance, photovoltaics, general manufacturing and semiconductors.
Can one HIKROBOT station combine a code reader and a camera?
Yes. A common pattern is a smart camera or multi-camera station for label, print and defect checks, and a code reader where a code must be read at a different point, both reporting to the same PLC.
Which configuration does addaScan recommend?
The smallest one that passes the sample test with margin: a vision sensor if one simple check is enough, a smart camera for one view with more tools, and a controller-based station only when several views, heavy processing or many products need it.
// Next step

Which configuration does your line need?

Describe the checks, the products and the line. We test the smallest configuration that passes on your samples.

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