In power battery pack production, defects on the cover plate directly affect sealing reliability. Area-scan camera systems used for comprehensive inspection must control camera triggers, lighting, motors and cylinders, which demands flexible and capable I/O.

In one project, an inspection machine adopted a Siemens PLC with RB series remote I/O, using 3×RB-1110, 12×16DI and 9×16DO to inspect the front, back and edges of battery covers.

RB digital inputs collect in-position, rotational angle, photoelectric and encoder signals. The output modules support both current-type loads typical of field devices and the voltage-type load required by industrial area-scan cameras, avoiding extra interface relays. Through the remote I/O, the PLC coordinates camera triggers, lighting and reject mechanisms to perform integrated inspection and sorting.

For the equipment builder and battery manufacturer, this approach offers:

• A more unified I/O design with reduced electrical complexity;

• Easier fine-tuning of timing between vision and mechanics, improving defect detection accuracy;

• Simple scalability when additional inspection stations or new camera models are introduced—often just by adding RB modules or re-routing a few wires.

RB remote I/O thus enables this battery cover inspection system to balance high inspection precision with simplified wiring and future expansion.