This paper proposes a machine vision module for PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers). PLC is the industrial controller most widely used in factory automation system. However most of the machine vision systems are based on PC (Personal Computer). The machine vision system embedded in PLC is required to reduce the cost and improve the convenience of implementation. In this paper, we newly propose a machine vision module based on PLC. The image processing libraries are implemented and integrated with the PLC programming tool. In order to interface the libraries with ladder programming, the ladder instruction set was also designed for each vision library. By use of the developed system, PLC users can implement vision systems easily by ladder programming. The developed system was applied to sample inspection system to verify the performance. The experimental results show that the proposed system can reduce the cost of installing as well as increase the ease-of-implementation.