| Inspection Method | Area-scan CCD/CMOS For discrete parts and stationary or indexed inspection. | Area-scan systems capture complete images of individual products and are suitable for dimensional, cosmetic, assembly, and presence checks. | Confirm whether the system uses area-scan or line-scan imaging and ask for sample images of the actual product. | High |
| Camera Resolution | Common range: 2–25 megapixels | Higher resolution can detect smaller defects, but it may require stronger lighting, greater processing capacity, and a slower inspection cycle. | Request the pixel-to-mm calculation, field of view, working distance, and the smallest guaranteed detectable defect. | High |
| Measurement Accuracy | Often specified around ±0.01–0.05 mm for suitable controlled applications | Accuracy depends on lens distortion, calibration, product positioning, vibration, lighting, and the measurement algorithm. | Require a repeatability and accuracy study using production samples rather than relying only on camera resolution. | High |
| Inspection Cycle Time | Typical discrete-part systems: approximately 0.1–2.0 seconds per part | Cycle time determines whether the machine can match the upstream and downstream production rate. | Ask for the complete cycle time, including loading, image acquisition, processing, rejection, and data recording. | High |
| Line Throughput | Application-dependent; commonly tens to several hundred parts per minute | Nominal camera speed alone does not represent actual output. Handling and rejection mechanisms can become bottlenecks. | Request a factory acceptance test based on the target production speed and the agreed defect-detection rate. | High |
| Lighting System | Ring, coaxial, dome, backlight, bar, or custom multi-angle lighting | Lighting often has a greater effect on defect contrast than camera megapixels. Reflective, transparent, and dark surfaces need specialized illumination. | Ask for lighting lifetime, replacement cost, heat management, intensity control, and validation images under different surface conditions. | High |
| Lens and Optical Configuration | Telecentric or standard lenses selected according to field of view and accuracy needs | Telecentric optics reduce perspective error and are useful for precision dimensional inspection, while standard lenses may be more economical for presence checks. | Request lens model, distortion specification, working distance, depth of field, and calibrated field-of-view drawings. | Medium–High |
| Defect Detection Capability | Presence/absence, position, orientation, color, surface defects, dimensional checks, OCR/OCV, and assembly verification | The correct capability depends on defect size, contrast, location, product variation, and acceptable false-reject limits. | Provide a defect library containing good samples, bad samples, borderline samples, and deliberately varied samples. | High |
| Software and Algorithm Tools | Pattern matching, blob analysis, edge measurement, geometric tools, OCR/OCV, color analysis, and optional AI classification | Conventional vision tools are often easier to validate, while AI tools may help with variable cosmetic defects but require representative training data. | Request a live demonstration using customer samples, recipe backup, user permissions, change logs, and model version control. | High |
| False Reject and Escape Rate | Must be defined by product and defect class; no universal value is valid for every application | A system with high detection but excessive false rejects can create material waste and manual reinspection. | Define acceptance criteria, test sample quantities, defect categories, false-reject limits, and escape-rate calculation methods in writing. | Critical |
| Mechanical Integration | Custom fixture, conveyor, rotary indexing, pneumatic/electric rejection, guarding, and product orientation | Stable positioning and controlled product presentation are essential for repeatable image quality. | Check fixture changeover time, adjustment range, spare parts, safety guarding, reject confirmation, and jam recovery procedures. | High |
| Control and Communication | PLC/HMI integration through common industrial Ethernet or discrete I/O; protocol depends on the project | Reliable communication supports production synchronization, traceability, alarms, and remote diagnostics. | Confirm supported protocols, I/O lists, electrical drawings, data formats, recipe management, and integration responsibilities. | Medium–High |
| Traceability and Data Export | Inspection result, timestamp, recipe, image, serial number, operator, and reject reason where required | Traceability supports quality analysis, customer complaints, process improvement, and regulated production records. | Ask about image storage capacity, database format, retention period, export functions, cybersecurity, and access control. | Medium–High |
| Factory Acceptance Testing | Recommended before shipment using agreed production samples and documented test procedures | FAT reduces the risk of discovering optical, mechanical, software, or throughput problems after installation. | Request a written FAT protocol covering detection rate, false rejects, cycle time, changeover, alarms, and data records. | Critical |
| Installation and Commissioning | Remote support or on-site commissioning; duration varies with machine complexity and integration scope | Correct setup of optics, lighting, calibration, fixtures, and recipes affects final performance. | Clarify travel, installation, training, acceptance support, language, commissioning schedule, and customer-site requirements. | Medium–High |
| Warranty and After-Sales Service | Commercial terms vary; one year is a common starting point, but coverage must be defined | Downtime risk is influenced by response time, spare-parts availability, remote access, and software support. | Compare warranty exclusions, response time, spare-parts lead time, preventive maintenance, remote diagnostics, and service escalation. | High |
| Documentation Quality | English manuals, electrical drawings, pneumatic diagrams, software backups, calibration records, and parts lists | Complete documentation makes troubleshooting, maintenance, audits, and future modifications easier. | Ask for document samples before purchase and include delivery of the final controlled documents in the contract. | Medium–High |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Equipment price plus freight, installation, training, spare parts, lighting replacement, software, and downtime risk | The lowest purchase price may not be the lowest long-term cost if reliability, integration, or support is weak. | Compare a three- to five-year cost model, including consumables, service visits, upgrades, energy use, and expected maintenance. | Critical |