According to Oxfordshire-based Industrial Vision Systems Ltd (www.industrialvision.co.uk), next-generation artificial-intelligence (AI) machine vision systems should be used at critical stages of the manufacturing process to reduce the risk of workplace contamination — and cut the number of product recalls.

IVS supplies vision inspection solutions to sectors such as automotive, medical devices, food and drink, pharmaceuticals, and printing and packaging. It has seen an increasing number of customers investing in machine vision systems to reduce their recall figures.

Company director Earl Yardley said: “Issuing a recall can be devastating in terms of cost, reputation and — eventually — market share.

“Over the past year, unparalleled levels of development have occurred in artificial intelligence (AI), big data, 3-D imaging and robotic process automation — none more so than on the factory floor — and this is crucial in reducing the risk of error and subsequent product recalls.”

Mr Yardley believes that advances in thermal imaging, 3-D imaging and hyperspectral imaging will play a vital role in helping manufacturers to reduce the number of product recalls.

“Machine vision is used for final quality control inspection, but new markets are opening up with the advent of 3-D sensors and deep learning using AI.

“Deep learning within machine vision can detect defective parts that traditional vision inspection systems cannot see.

“The applications of hyper-spectral imaging include detecting plastic in meat production, detecting different recyclable materials, and blister-pack quality control.”