Defect detection is the process of identifying abnormalities, faults, or unwanted variations in a product, component, material, or process. It determines whether something deviates from an expected condition, often using cameras, sensors, measurements, or automated inspection systems. Unlike defect classification, which assigns an identified problem to a specific category, defect detection primarily focuses on finding where a defect exists.
In manufacturing, automated vision systems can inspect components as they move along a production line, detecting issues such as cracks, dents, scratches, missing parts, or surface irregularities. Machine learning and computer vision can help identify defects that may be difficult to spot consistently through manual inspection. Related concepts include defect classification, anomaly detection, computer vision, quality inspection, and automated optical inspection.
