As product SKUs proliferate, fixed optics lock you into costly change-overs. Enter motorized lenses with encoder-locked focus, zoom, and iris modules. Tiny servos reposition elements in < 300 ms, allowing recipe-based reconfiguration from the PLC or vision PC.
Emerging benefits:
| Feature | Manufacturing Payoff |
|---|---|
| Auto-focus tracking | Keeps bar-code reads sharp on variable-height pallets |
| Programmable FoV | One station inspects bottles (wide) and lot codes (tight) |
| Feedback encoders | Closed-loop accuracy for repeatable gauging after power-cycles |
Most units expose a REST or RS-232/RS-485 API—script lens settings alongside lighting and exposure for a fully deterministic vision recipe. Pair them with edge AI to let software decide when to refocus or zoom, edging toward self-healing production lines.
