Machine Vision System Types Explained + When to Use Them

Machine vision is an essential technology for automation, quality control, robotics and industrial inspection. But with so many types of machine vision systems available today, it can be challenging to determine which configuration is right for your application.

Each system type has its strengths and limitations. Choosing the correct one can improve accuracy, speed, system cost and long-term reliability. Below, we break down the most common machine vision system types and explain when each is the best fit.

1. PC-Based Machine Vision Systems

A traditional, highly flexible setup that uses an industrial camera connected to a separate PC running powerful vision software.

Best For: 

• High-speed inspections
• Complex algorithms (AI, 3D, deep learning)
• Multi-camera systems
• Applications requiring large amounts of processing power

Why Choose It: PC-based systems provide the highest level of performance and scalability. They’re ideal when resolution, speed or computation needs exceed the capabilities of compact systems.

2. Smart Camera Systems

All-in-one devices that integrate the sensor, processor and software in a single housing. No external PC required.

Best For:

• Compact machine vision tasks
• Barcode reading and OCR
• Presence/absence checks
• Simple measurement or inspection

Why Choose It: Smart cameras are cost-effective, easy to deploy and rugged. They’re a great choice when space is limited or when the inspection tasks are straightforward.

3. Embedded Vision Systems

Camera modules integrated with embedded computing platforms, often ARM-based or GPU-accelerated boards.

Best For:

• Portable devices
• Edge AI applications
• Compact robots, drones and autonomous vehicles
• Systems requiring low power consumption

Why Choose It: Embedded systems provide strong processing capabilities in a small footprint. They enable real-time analysis and AI-driven decisions close to the source of image capture.

4. 3D Machine Vision Systems

Systems that capture depth information using structured light, stereo vision, laser triangulation or time-of-flight sensors.

Best For:

• Bin picking
• Volumetric measurement
• Surface profiling
• Robotics requiring object orientation

Why Choose It: 3D vision excels where height, shape or depth matter more than color or brightness. It’s widely used in advanced automation and robotic guidance.

5. Multi-Camera Systems

Configurations using two or more cameras to capture multiple views, angles, or spectral ranges of a target.

Best For:

• Large assemblies
• 360° inspections
• Simultaneous top/bottom views
• Multi-spectral imaging (VIS, NIR, UV)

Why Choose It: A single camera can’t always see everything. Multi-camera setups ensure complete coverage of complex parts and allow advanced comparisons across wavelengths.

6. Line-Scan Vision Systems

Systems that capture images one line at a time as an object moves past, creating a continuous image.

Best For:

• Web inspection (paper, textiles, foil, film)
• Conveyor systems with long objects
• High-resolution inspection of continuous materials

Why Choose It: Line-scan solutions provide extremely high resolution and speed, perfect for inspecting long or fast-moving products where area-scan cameras would struggle.

Choosing the Right Machine Vision System

When evaluating types of machine vision systems, consider the following:

✔ Complexity of inspection: Simple presence checks may only need a smart camera; advanced AI requires a PC-based or embedded system.
✔ Speed and resolution requirements
High-speed, high-resolution tasks often demand PC-based or line-scan setups.
✔ Environmental constraints
Temperature, space, vibration and IP ratings all influence system choice.
✔ Cost and scalability
Smart cameras are cost-effective for single tasks; PC-based systems are better for expandable, multi-camera configurations.
✔ Processing location
Decide whether computing should occur in the cloud, on a PC, or directly on the device using edge/embedded platforms.

Understanding the different types of machine vision systems is key to designing an inspection solution that meets your performance, cost and scalability goals. Each system excels in certain cases, so choosing the right one ensure long-term reliability and accuracy in industrial automation.