Deep Learning Expands into Assembly, Packaging, Kitting Inspection

Machine vision quality assurance systems have excelled at automating the location, identification, and inspection of manufactured components through computational image analysis. But when the component is part of a larger assembly, a complex package, or a kit--such as an automotive assembly or surgical intubation kit--defects, random product placement, variations in lighting, and other factors can quickly overwhelm a traditional machine vision system. For this reason, final inspection of assemblies, packages, and kits is usually conducted manually, to the detriment of overall quality and productivity. While manual operators typically excel at inspecting complex assemblies, by comparing multiple attached or connected components to automated quality inspection solutions, it's hard for operators to stay sharp. Studies show most operators can only focus on a single task for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.