In the field of production, quality control is essential to ensure that products meet standards and customer expectations. Here’s how manual and automated quality control methods can complement each other to ensure optimal quality.

1. Detection of Various Defects

Manual inspections are effective in detecting subtle and non-uniform defects that automated systems might miss. Human inspectors use their experience and judgment to identify complex issues. Humans are also able to learn what an acceptable piece is from a single example, unlike automated systems.

Examples of defects detected manually:

• Irregular surface imperfections

• Complex texture and color issues

• Defects due to minor process variations

Automated checks, on the other hand, use industrial vision cameras and AI algorithms to quickly and repeatedly identify systematic defects. Spark can detect a non-systematic defect that occurs only once. This is a strength of anomaly detection.

Examples of defects detected automatically:

• Aesthetic defects

• Regular deformations

• Labeling issues

• Variations in precise dimensions

2. Flexibility and Precision

Manual inspections offer great flexibility, as operators can quickly adapt to unforeseen situations or customized products. However, they can be subject to human error.

Automated checks, in contrast, offer increased precision and repeatability for quantitative and objective testing. They are particularly effective for large production runs. Thanks to AI, they are now also efficient for medium production runs.

3. Volume Management

Automated systems are ideal for managing high production volumes quickly and efficiently, while manual checks are better suited for smaller batches or customized products.

Automated checks:

• Rapid inspection of large volumes

• Consistent detection of repetitive defects

• Long-term reduction of inspection costs

Manual checks:

• Flexibility for low-volume productions

• Ability to manage varied and complex products

• Quick adaptation to new requirements

4. Adaptability and Cost

Manual checks can be implemented quickly without major investment in equipment. They are particularly useful for small businesses or limited productions.

5. Continuous Quality Assurance

By combining both approaches, companies can benefit from continuous monitoring and real-time feedback, while retaining the ability to react quickly to unforeseen problems detected manually.

Combined strategy:

• Use of automated checks for routine inspections and large volumes

• Integration of manual checks for detailed inspections and complex products

• Analysis of collected data for continuous process improvement

Manual and automated quality control, when used complementarily, allow for optimized defect detection, improved inspection accuracy, and consistent quality assurance. For a fast and easy-to-deploy quality inspection solution, Spark from Scortex offers real-time data analytics and implementation without costly expertise, ensuring optimal quality management.

This evolution of inspection methods fits within a broader transformation of industrial production. To understand how this transition is structured, we explain the foundations of Industry 4.0 in a dedicated article.

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