Primer inspection in ammunition production with machine vision

In ammunition production, the primer is a safety-critical element. It handles the primary ignition and is therefore decisive for the functionality of the entire cartridge. However, assembly errors often go undetected. A missing, incorrectly seated, or damaged primer can cause the cartridge to fail or fire unreliably.

The aim was to establish an integrated quality control system in the process that reliably detects typical defect patterns and operates stably under industrial conditions.

Inspection is performed via 2D machine vision, specifically capturing the base of the cartridge. A camera equipped with ring lighting ensures uniform illumination and stable image quality, even at high cycle rates.

The focus is on verifying the presence and correct seating position of the primer. Additionally, damages such as indentations or deformations—caused, for example, by pressed-in debris or chips—are detected. The analysis combines rule-based machine vision with AI-supported methods in our aku.visionManager® software. This allows for the reliable detection of both clearly defined features like position and more complex defect patterns such as surface damage.

Integrated machine vision moves quality control directly into the production process. Defective cartridges are identified and rejected early before they undergo further process steps. This increases process reliability and reduces the risk of malfunctions during later use. Simultaneously, scrap is minimized as the causes of errors can be clearly identified. For manufacturers in the defense industry, this ensures reliable quality control, efficient processes, and consistently high product quality.