In a recent feature by The Globe and Mail, Eigen’s Chief Operating Officer, James Finch, spoke about how manufacturers are using artificial intelligence to transform one of the most traditional steps in production, quality inspection.
James explained that in many cases, manual inspection isn’t even possible. “There are parts of processes where it’s not possible to have a person inspect,” he said. “For example, we do a lot of work with thermal imaging, which is typically looking at things that an operator could not see anyway.” Thermal data gives manufacturers visibility into details beyond the surface, helping them catch defects earlier and improve consistency across the line.
Why Manufacturers Are Turning to AI
For many manufacturers, inspection has long been a bottleneck, a step that adds time but not always value. AI and machine vision change that equation by turning inspection into a source of insight. Instead of just flagging defects, these systems collect data that reveals patterns, trends, and opportunities for process improvement. It’s not only about catching what’s wrong, but understanding why it happens and how to prevent it.
Scalable Quality, Smarter Workflows
James also noted that once an AI inspection model is trained and proven on one line, it can easily be replicated across others with similar processes. Instead of building separate vision systems for every application, manufacturers can scale quickly, maintain consistent quality standards, and achieve faster return on investment.
“You’re certainly reducing any quality concerns from end customers. You’re also reducing scrap on the line,” James said. “Overall, it’s a productivity advantage.” Automating inspection frees up operators to focus on higher-value work and helps address ongoing labour shortages by making production roles more engaging and efficient.
As The Globe and Mail highlighted, AI adoption isn’t limited to tech companies, it’s helping even the most established manufacturers stay competitive. At Eigen, we see this every day as plants evolve their quality processes from manual checks to intelligent, connected systems.
