What is vision inspection?
Vision inspection is an automated process that uses cameras or sensors alongside configured inspection logic to evaluate visible features on products or packaging. Depending on the application, it can check label presence and position, print or code appearance, component presence, packaging features and defined defect criteria.
A brief overview:
- Configured inspection logic can assess label presence, label position, print or code appearance, component presence, packaging features and defined defect criteria.
- A camera or sensor captures the visual input, while application-specific inspection logic determines whether the selected criteria have been met.
- Vision inspection evaluates visible criteria, while barcode or code reading captures encoded data and formal code verification assesses defined code requirements.
- Vision inspection can form one part of a wider production-line arrangement alongside labelling, coding, product handling, reading, verification or rejection equipment.
How does vision inspection work?
A camera or sensor captures visual information from a product or pack. Configured inspection logic then assesses selected visible features against the criteria defined for that application.
Camera or sensor input
The camera or sensor provides the visual input for the inspection. The way the item is presented, including its position and orientation, affects what the system can see and assess.
Configured inspection logic
Inspection logic determines which visible features are checked and what constitutes an acceptable or failed result. The criteria therefore need to match the specific inspection task rather than relying on a generic visual check.
Inspection within a production line
Vision inspection systems can sit after processes such as labelling or coding, so visible features can be assessed before the product moves further downstream.
A wider line may also use conveyor systems to control product movement and presentation alongside reading, verification, reject or divert equipment, depending on the required function.
What can vision inspection assess?
Vision inspection can assess selected visible characteristics of a product, label, or package. The exact scope depends on what can be captured reliably and the criteria configured for the application.
Labels, print, and code appearance
Within automated labelling systems, label presence and label position are separate visual checks. An inspection can assess whether a label is present and whether its visible position meets the defined criterion.
Print and code appearance can also be assessed visually. This should not be confused with decoding the information in a machine-readable code or formally verifying its quality.
Components and packaging features
Visible component presence and packaging features can also form part of an inspection. The system checks the specific characteristics defined for the application rather than making a general assessment of product quality.
Defined defect criteria
A vision inspection can be configured to identify selected visible defects or differences. The inspection criteria should state precisely what constitutes a pass or fail for the feature being assessed.
How does vision inspection differ from code reading and code verification?
Vision inspection, encoded-data reading, and formal code verification are related but separate functions. They assess visible features, encoded information, and defined code requirements, respectively.
Vision inspection and visible-feature assessment
Within wider identification systems, vision inspection checks selected visible features such as label position, print appearance, packaging characteristics, or defined defects. Its primary task is to evaluate what can be seen on the product or package.
Barcode or code reading
On production lines, fixed-mount barcode scanners can capture information encoded in a machine-readable symbol. Successfully reading a code does not by itself mean that its print quality or other formal requirements have been verified.
Formal code verification
Formal code verification assesses a code against the requirements of the applicable verification method. A vision system may incorporate code-reading or other inspection functions, but visible inspection, code reading, and verification should be specified separately when defining the required task.
ALS Identify vision systems for production-line inspection
ALS Identify supplies and integrates vision and identification systems for production-line applications. Define the visible feature or inspection criterion that needs to be checked so the required vision function can be scoped separately from code reading or formal verification.
