The problem
Manual visual inspection is sampled, tiring and inconsistent between shifts. Escaped defects lead to customer complaints and returns; over-rejection creates unnecessary scrap.
Rule-based machine vision works well for fixed, repeatable checks but struggles with natural variation in materials, lighting and product variants.
How it works
- 1Defect types are defined with your quality team and sample images are collected.
- 2Camera position, optics and lighting are selected for the smallest defect that matters.
- 3A model is trained and validated on images it has not seen before.
- 4Results are connected to the line: reject signals, operator alerts and records in MES/ERP.
Existing IP cameras / NVR
RTSP / ONVIF streams
Edge device on-site
AI models + rules; video stays local
Events
Time, camera, zone, evidence frame
Dashboard, alerts, API
Notifications, relays, REST/webhook
What can be detected
- Surface defects (scratches, dents, stains, cracks)
- Assembly errors (missing or misplaced parts)
- Label and print errors
- Defect trends by line, product and shift
Typical scenarios
- End-of-line inspection
- In-process inspection after critical steps
- Incoming goods inspection
- High-variation products such as textiles, castings or natural materials
Deployment options
On-premise / edge
Analysis runs on hardware inside your network. Video does not leave the site; only events and metrics are stored or shared.
Cloud
Suitable for distributed, low-camera-count sites where central management matters more than keeping video on-site.
Hybrid
Video is processed on-site, while events, dashboards and multi-site reporting are managed centrally.
Working with existing cameras
- Unlike safety use cases, inspection often needs dedicated industrial cameras and controlled lighting.
- The required resolution follows from the smallest defect size and the field of view.
- Most IP cameras and NVRs that provide RTSP or ONVIF streams can be connected, regardless of brand.
- Before a pilot, sample footage from each candidate camera is reviewed for resolution, angle, distance and lighting.
- Where a view is not suitable, the recommendation is usually to reposition the camera or add one — not to replace the whole system.
Integration
- PLC signals for rejection
- REST API to MES/ERP
- Image archive for traceability
Privacy and security
- No face recognition is used in safety and operations analytics; events describe what happened, not who.
- On-premise processing keeps video inside your network.
- Evidence clips, retention periods and user access are configurable and should follow your GDPR/KVKK policies.
- Workplace monitoring should be introduced with clear employee information and, where applicable, consultation with employee representatives.
Limitations
- Defects that are not visible to the camera (internal, behind surfaces) cannot be detected.
- Rare defects may need anomaly-detection approaches and more validation time.
- Escape and false-reject rates are measured separately; both matter.
How a pilot works
- 01
Discovery
We agree on the problem, the owner, the sites and what a successful outcome would look like.
- 02
Camera assessment
Sample footage from candidate cameras is reviewed for angle, resolution, distance and lighting.
- 03
Use-case definition
Events, zones, rules, alert recipients and success metrics are written down before deployment.
- 04
Pilot deployment
Edge hardware or cloud processing is set up and connected to the selected cameras.
- 05
Validation
Detections are checked against reviewed footage; true detections, false alarms and misses are counted per camera.
- 06
Report
Results, limitations and recommended changes are documented and shared with all stakeholders.
- 07
Rollout decision
Based on measured results, you decide whether and how to expand to more cameras, sites or use cases.
Frequently asked questions
How many defect images do we need?
It depends on the defect type and variation. Common defects may need hundreds of examples; for rare defects, anomaly detection trained on good parts is often used.
Can it keep up with our line speed?
Line speed is measured during discovery and camera, triggering and edge hardware are chosen accordingly.
Related solutions
Case studies
Start with the cameras you already have
Send us a few frames from your cameras and the problem you want to solve. We will tell you honestly what is feasible.
