Custom Vision Systems
Vision Systems for Industrial Inspection, Measurement and Automation
Sciotex designs and builds custom vision systems that inspect, measure, count and guide at line speed. Send us your part and we’ll tell you what’s feasible.
Last updated: October 2026 · Sciotex Vision Engineering Team
2D, 3D and AI vision
Matched to the defect, part and line speed.
Proof-of-concept first
Tested on your real parts before you commit.
The Short Answer
What Is a Vision System?
A vision system is a combination of cameras, lighting, optics and software that captures images of a part or product, analyzes them against defined criteria, and sends a result to the production process. Vision systems are used to inspect, measure, identify, count and sort items and to guide robots, automatically and at line speed.
A sensor tells you something is there. A vision system tells you what it is, whether it is right, and what to do next. This page covers the types of vision systems, the ones Sciotex builds, and how a project runs. For the technology itself, read our machine vision guide.
What You Get
What's in a Sciotex Vision System
A camera alone is not a vision system. Sciotex delivers the complete, working station.
Imaging design
Cameras, lenses and lighting selected and tested on your parts, so the defect is visible before any software is written.
Vision software
Rule-based tools, custom algorithms and AI models, built in-house and tuned to your acceptance criteria.
Mechanics and automation
Fixtures, conveyors, robots, reject mechanisms and enclosures, modelled in CAD before the build.
Controls and data
PLC, HMI, database and plant-network integration, with results and images logged for traceability.
Want the engineering detail? See how machine vision works and the components of a machine vision system in our guide.
Compare Your Options
Types of Vision Systems
Vision systems differ in how they capture the image and in how much of the station comes with them.
| Type | How it images | Best for | Sciotex system |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1D / line scan | One line at a time as material moves | Webs, sheets, cylinders, continuous product | Web Inspection System |
| 2D area scan | A flat snapshot | Presence, labels, codes, surface defects, basic dimensions | Conveyor Vision Inspection |
| 3D | Height and shape via laser, structured light, or time-of-flight | Volume, flatness, warpage, bin picking | Pallet Inspection System |
| AI vision | Models trained on example images | Variable or hard-to-define defects | Surface Defect Detection |
Smart camera or custom vision system?
Off-the-shelf vision hardware is the right buy for some jobs. This is how to tell which side of the line yours is on.
| Smart camera or vendor kit | Custom integrated system | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | One simple check on a stable, well-presented part | Several checks, variable parts, or defects that are hard to see |
| What you get | Camera, lens, light and vendor software | A complete station: imaging, software, handling, controls and data |
| Lighting and optics | Chosen from a standard range | Designed and tested on your parts |
| Part handling | You provide fixtures, motion and rejection | Built in: fixtures, conveyors, robots and reject mechanisms |
| Software | Configured from the vendor's tool set | Rule-based tools, custom algorithms and AI, written for the application |
| Integration | You connect it to the PLC and data systems | Delivered connected to PLC, robot, HMI and database |
| Who owns the result | You do | The integrator does |
It isn’t either/or. Sciotex builds custom systems around hardware from Cognex, Keyence, Basler and others.
Choosing between them: 2D vs. 3D · where AI helps · full selection checklist
Find Your Application
Vision System Solutions by Inspection Problem
Surface and cosmetic defects
Scratches, dents and blemishes, including on reflective parts.
Small, high-tolerance parts
Robotic measurement of height, width, diameter and weight.
Products moving on a conveyor
Inline defect detection and classification at production speed.
Low-volume or lab inspection
Benchtop stations an operator can load and run.
Counting parts and products
Vision-based counting for bulk, layered and conveyed items.
Pallets and loads
3D sensing that flags unstable pallets before they ship.
Where We've Done It
Vision Systems by Industry
Every industry has its own defects, speeds and rules. These are vision systems Sciotex has delivered in each.
Semiconductor
Chip and wafer inspection systems built for semiconductor test and inspection criteria.
Pharmaceutical
High-speed conveyor inspection of the size and location of laser-drilled holes in tablets.
Fiber optics
Two line-scan cameras inspect fiber for defects as it is drawn on the tower.
Composites and wind energy
Web inspection of long fiberglass runs used to manufacture wind turbine blades.
Agriculture
Seedling inspection that measures leaf area, height and chlorophyll level at the same time.
Logistics and warehousing
3D time-of-flight sensing that flags pallets at risk of tipping in transport.
Proof, Not Theory
Vision Systems Sciotex Has Built
Each system below was engineered around a specific part, defect, and line speed.
Benchtop Vertical Inspection
Inspects parts in a vertical orientation as they rotate on a precision base.
View system →
Benchtop Horizontal Inspection
Machine vision and AI inspection of small parts in a fixture or tray.
View system →
Surface Defect Detection
Detects defects across many different surface types.
View system →
Conveyor Vision Inspection
Quality inspection decisions on high-speed conveyors.
View system →
Robotic Vision Inspection
Robot-based measurement and defect inspection of small, high-tolerance parts.
View system →
Pallet Inspection
3D time-of-flight sensing to flag pallets at risk of tipping.
View system →
Chip and Wafer Inspection
Test and inspection systems built for semiconductor criteria.
View system →
Extrusion Inspection
Multi-point and 3D inspection of extruded products.
View system →
The Business Case
What a Vision System Pays Back
Every part inspected
Inspection of 100% of production instead of a sample, without slowing the line.
The same decision every time
No variation between operators, shifts or the end of a long day.
A record of every result
Images and data logged automatically for traceability and customer audits.
People moved to better work
Repetitive visual checks, counting and sorting come off your operators.
Typical payback is 7 to 18 months. The real figure depends on your scrap cost, the cost of a defect reaching a customer, labor and throughput.
Working With Sciotex
How a Vision System Project Works
1. Feasibility review
You send sample parts, defect examples and line speed. We tell you what is practical.
2. Proof of concept
A short test on your real parts confirms the imaging and the detection before you commit.
3. Design in CAD
The full station is modelled with you, so layout and handling are agreed before the build.
4. Build and integrate
Hardware, software and controls are assembled and connected to your PLC, robot and data systems.
5. Install, validate and scale
We install on site, validate against your acceptance criteria, and plan duplication for other lines.
What to send for a quote
The right system depends less on camera brand and more on the inspection challenge.
- Good and bad sample parts, or photos of them
- The smallest defect or feature to find
- Part size and line speed
- The result you need: pass/fail, measurement, location or count
- What it must connect to: PLC, robot, reject, data
Why Sciotex
Why Work With a Vision Systems Integrator
A camera vendor sells you a camera. An integrator is accountable for the result: lighting that reveals the feature, optics that resolve it, software that decides reliably, and controls that act at line speed.
Brand-neutral hardware
Integrator for Cognex, Keyence, NI, Basler, LMI, and others, so the design fits the problem.
In-house software
Custom algorithms, AI vision, and machine learning.
Lower project risk
Short proof-of-concept work and design-first CAD modelling.
Built to scale
Economical duplication and multi-site installation planning.
Trusted by the most innovative organizations
Before You Buy
Vision Systems FAQ
What is a vision system?
A vision system is a combination of cameras, lighting, optics and software that captures images of a part or product, analyzes them against defined criteria, and sends a result to the production process.
Is a vision system the same as machine vision?
Machine vision is the technology. A vision system is the working equipment built on it. Our machine vision guide explains the technology in depth.
How much does a custom vision system cost?
Cost is driven by the number of cameras, the handling and automation around them, line speed, and how much integration is needed. A feasibility review and proof of concept give you an accurate number before you commit.
What do you need from us to quote a vision system?
Good and bad sample parts or photos, the smallest defect or feature to find, part size and line speed, the result you need, and what the system must connect to.
Do you run a proof of concept first?
Yes. A short proof of concept on your real parts tests the imaging and detection, which reduces project risk before the full build.
How long does a vision system project take?
Weeks for a simple station, and several months for custom multi-stage systems.
Which camera and vision brands do you work with?
Sciotex is an integrator for Cognex, Keyence, NI, Basler, LMI and others, and selects hardware to fit the application.
Can a vision system connect to our PLC, robots and data systems?
Yes. Sciotex integrates vision systems with PLCs, robots, HMIs, databases and plant networks.
Can you duplicate a system for other lines or sites?
Yes. Systems are designed for economical duplication, with installation planning for multiple sites.
Free Consultation
Discuss Your Inspection Application
Share sample parts, defect examples, line speed, and requirements. We’ll tell you whether conventional vision, AI, robotics, or a combination is the practical path.
Learn the Technology
Related Guides
Machine Vision: The Complete Guide
How the technology works, its components, and why projects fail.
Machine Vision Systems ROI
How to build the business case in manufacturing.
Machine Vision vs Manual Inspection
Accuracy, speed, and cost compared.