3D machine vision and artificial neural networks for quality inspection in mass production pieces

The exhaustive quality control is becoming very important in the world´s globalized market. One of these examples where quality control becomes critical is the percussion cap mass production. These elements must achieve a minimum tolerance deviation in their fabrication. This paper outlines a machine vision development using a 3D camera for the inspection of the whole production of percussion caps. This system presents multiple problems, such as metallic reflections in the percussion caps, high speed movement of the system and mechanical errors and irregularities in percussion cap placement. Due to these problems, it is impossible to solve the problem by traditional image processing methods, and hence, a neural network has been tested to provide a feasible classification of the possible errors present in the percussion caps.