What Are Vision Inspection Systems?
Blog post from Roboflow
A Vision Inspection System (VIS), also known as an Automated Visual Inspection (AVI) or Machine Vision System, is a computer-based setup that employs cameras and image processing software to automatically inspect products, materials, or processes for defects, errors, or quality compliance. VIS encompasses several key components, including cameras for image capture, processing units like industrial PCs or embedded devices for running computer vision algorithms, and software that can utilize classical vision algorithms, deep learning models, or anomaly detection techniques. These systems are extensively used across various industries, including automotive, electronics, aerospace, and pharmaceuticals, performing tasks such as defect detection, measurement, pattern verification, assembly verification, surface quality inspection, color verification, positioning, alignment, counting, and compliance checks. The text further explains how VIS can be categorized based on imaging modality, processing approach, and inspection tasks, with examples of their application in practical scenarios like printed circuit board (PCB) inspection using the Roboflow platform. It also guides how to build and deploy a vision inspection system for detecting PCB defects, emphasizing the importance of accurate annotation and model training to achieve reliable detection results. With advancements in imaging hardware, deep learning, and deployment platforms, VIS has become an indispensable tool in ensuring product quality and safety in high-volume manufacturing environments.