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The 6 essential steps to succeed in a quality control project using machine vision

By Lilian DAVIN, General Director of CODA Systèmes

A successful quality control project using industrial vision follows 6 steps: drafting the specifications (including the defect library), feasibility study, development of the technical solution, integration and commissioning, user training, and finally, technical support and post-installation maintenance. Skipping or rushing any of these steps—especially the feasibility study or team training—is the primary cause of failure for this type of project. At CODA Systems, this structured methodology allows us to offer a results commitment to our clients, from defining the need to production monitoring.

Industrial vision quality control offers significant advantages: precise defect detection, increased productivity, and overall improvement in product quality. However, this type of project requires rigorous planning and methodical execution to ensure its success.

Here are the main steps to successfully carry out a industrial vision projectfrom the definition of needs to post-installation support. We will also address crucial concepts such as the failure library, the importance of the feasibility study, and user training.

STEP 1: HOW TO WRITE THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR AN INDUSTRIAL VISION PROJECT?

The specifications document is the cornerstone of any successful project. This initial step aims to clearly define the project's objectives and constraints in order to guide technical and strategic choices.

KEY ELEMENTS TO INCLUDE IN THE SPECIFICATIONS

  • The objectives of quality control: What defects or anomalies need to be detected? What level of precision is required? How is the control currently performed? What are the different impacts of this control on production?
  • Production rate: Should the system integrate into a high-speed line or into a slower but more complex process? Should the control be done on 100% of the products or only through sampling?
  • The types of defects to address: Are they scratches, deformations, dimensional discrepancies, or other irregularities? Are they aesthetic defects or functional ones?

 WHY IS THE DEFAULT LIBRARY ESSENTIAL?

A defect library is a collection of images and/or parts representing compliant and defective products. It plays a crucial role from this phase:

  • It helps to illustrate the typical defects for providers or technical teams.
  • It serves as a working basis for developing algorithms or training artificial intelligence models.
  • It forms the basis for the future validation of the automated quality control system. It prevents any disputes during final delivery.

CODA Systèmes supports its clients in this stage by helping to structure their needs and by identifying the specific constraints of each production environment.

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STEP 2: WHAT DOES THE FEASIBILITY STUDY CONSIST OF?

The feasibility study validates that the project is technically achievable and economically viable. It is an essential step to avoid costly mistakes downstream.

What the feasibility study must include

  1. Equipment tests: Identify the cameras, optics, and lighting suitable for the specific characteristics of the rooms and the production environment.
  2. Validation of AI algorithms or models: Traditional or AI-based vision software must be tested with the defect library to verify their ability to detect the expected defects.
  3. Analysis of environmental constraints: Assess the variations in lighting, temperature, or speed of parts on the line. Part of the study can also be conducted directly on the production line to anticipate these environmental issues.

A well-conducted study also allows for the comparison of different configurations to choose the most efficient solution at the best cost. At CODA Systèmes, we have a comprehensive methodology that enables us to offer a results commitment.


STEP 3: HOW DOES THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TECHNICAL SOLUTION PROCEED?

Once the feasibility is validated, the development phase can begin. It involves designing a technical solution that meets the objectives defined in the specifications.

THE KEY ELEMENTS OF DEVELOPMENT

  • Equipment selection: High-resolution cameras, lenses, optimized lighting, sensors, or industrial programmable controllers for integration into the process.
  • Algorithm programming: This can include traditional algorithms (edge detection, pattern recognition) or models based on deep learning.
  • User interface creation: of crucial importance, it must be intuitive to facilitate its adoption by the teams.

At CODA Systèmes, this step is carried out by engineers specialized in industrial vision, ensuring complete customization of the programs to meet the client's specific needs.


STEP 4: WHAT ARE THE CRITICAL POINTS OF INTEGRATION AND COMMISSIONING?

Integration involves installing the system in the production environment and connecting it to existing equipment (production line, controllers, MES systems).

THE CRITICAL POINTS OF INTEGRATION

  • System calibration: to ensure that the cameras and optics are correctly positioned to cover the entire rooms.
  • Real-world testing: Simulate production to identify necessary adjustments before the official commissioning.
  • Mechanical integration and automation: This step may include the development of custom mechanical structures and the integration of automated modules.

With its expertise in mechanical engineering and automation, CODA Systèmes ensures a smooth and efficient integration.

STEP 5: WHY IS USER TRAINING CRUCIAL? 

An efficient system will only be effective if operators, technicians and quality managers know how to use it correctly. Training is therefore a crucial investment to ensure long-term success.

TRAINING OBJECTIVES

  • Learn to use the system: Set up inspections, analyze results, and diagnose defects.
  • Ensure first-level maintenance: Change settings or resolve minor issues without fully relying on technical support.
  • Developing team autonomy: A trained team is more responsive to production variations or technological changes.

CODA Systèmes offers custom trainings  adapted to the specific needs of each client, covering both hardware and software aspects. Its training organization CODA Formations, certified QUALIOPI, offers a large number of  training modules provided by field experts with vision.

STEP 6: WHAT TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AFTER INSTALLATION?

After commissioning, an industrial vision system requires monitoring to ensure its performance over time.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES AFTER INSTALLATION

  • Responsive technical support: To quickly resolve issues and minimize production downtime.
  • Software updates: Integration of new features or performance optimization.
  • Preventive maintenance: Periodic inspection of equipment to avoid breakdowns.

With tailored maintenance contracts, CODA Systèmes provides sustainable support for its clients.

CONCLUSION: HOW TO SUCCEED IN YOUR QUALITY CONTROL PROJECT THROUGH INDUSTRIAL VISION?

A quality control project using industrial vision is a structured process that relies on specific steps:

  1. Creation of a complete specifications document, including the defect library.
  2. Conducting a thorough feasibility study.
  3. Development of a suitable technical solution.
  4. Integration and commissioning in production.
  5. In-depth user training.
  6. Post-installation follow-up with technical support and maintenance.

By following this methodology, you maximize your chances of success and fully leverage your investment. With its expertise and turnkey solutions, CODA Systèmes can support you at every step to ensure a smooth implementation and optimal performance.


At CODA Systèmes, we support manufacturers in choosing the most relevant solution based on their actual production constraints. ➡️ Contact us for an audit of your needs.

FAQ

The 6 steps are: drafting the specifications (with a defect library), feasibility study, development of the technical solution, integration and commissioning, user training, and then technical support and post-installation maintenance..

It is a set of images and/or parts representing compliant and defective products. It is used to illustrate typical defects to the technical teams, to train algorithms or AI models, and to validate the final system, avoiding any disputes at delivery.

Because it validates that the project is technically feasible and economically viable before any heavy investment. It allows for testing the equipment, validating the algorithms on the defect library, and anticipating environmental constraints, thus avoiding costly mistakes downstream.

It depends on the production rate and the level of risk associated with the defect. A 100% inspection is required for critical defects or regulated sectors, while sampling may be sufficient for very high-speed lines with lower quality stakes; this choice is defined from the specifications..

Because an efficient system is only effective if the teams know how to use it correctly: setting up inspections, diagnosing faults, and ensuring first-level maintenance. Without training, even the best system loses reliability and responsiveness in the face of production variations..