PCB defect detection USING OPENCV with image subtraction method

In the PCB manufacturing industry, one of the most important aspect of the production is quality checking. PCB boards goes through lots of production process from panel cutting to laminating and one single defect in a board will make the entire board become obsolete. With the rise of electronic appliances demand every day, the demand for higher quality components is rising. With the high price tag of commercial AOI, lots of manufacturers are not able to do an automated inspection. This is where Computer Vision can provide an alternative for commercial AOI to assist small scale manufacturers to do an automated inspection. Image Subtraction and Blob detection enable users to easily find numerous visual defects in PCBs especially with a complex method. By dissecting pictures and pointing out the differences on the output image, PCBs can be inspected quickly to find out the defective parts. And thus, this thesis will focus on the basis that a basic image subtraction will be enough to assist Manufacturers in Quality Inspections.