Novel automated inspection methods, tools and technologies

There are many methods and solutions to improve any process, and stay within the established control limits. Statistically analyzed data, received from inspection sensors and other devices, are one of them. Automated inspection sensors and systems are effective tools for controlling variation and obtaining process related knowledge. Automated inspection methods, discussed in this paper, represent an important, nevertheless not the only methods, that lead to process improvement, the ultimate goal of total quality management and control (TQM TQC). Inspection, as part of the feedback control loop of the overall TQM TQC process, involves the continual satisfaction of customer requirements at lowest cost by harnessing the efforts of everybody in the company. The key question in any inspection system is as follows: Are the measured values within tolerance, or not, and if they are outside the tolerance limits, why did we produce those parts in the first place?