Inspection Machines Market Assessment, By Product [Vision Inspection Systems, X-Ray Inspection Systems, Leak Detection Systems, Metal Detectors, Checkweighers, Software, Combination Systems, Others], By Offering [Hardware, Software], By Type [Automatic Inspection Machines, Semi-Automatic Inspection Machines, Manual Inspection Machines], By Packaging [Ampoules and Vials, Syringes, Bottles, Blister, Others], By End-user [Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Medical Device Manufacturers, Food Packaging and Processing Companies, Others], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F
Global inspection machines market is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.42% during the forecast period 2024-2031F, growing from USD 695.13 million in 2023 to USD 1060.08 million in 2031F. The market has undergone substantial growth and is expected to further grow manifolds as we further advance in time.
To guarantee consistency throughout the production line, inspection machines are a set of machines or a sequence of machines used to check any product's quality in terms of packing, packaging component, weight, leakage, and dimension. In recent years, there has been a sharp rise in the global market for inspection equipment due to a growing emphasis on product quality. The market's competitive environment, where companies heavily engage in R&D to get a competitive edge over their rivals, contributes to the increase. The adoption of IoT, machine learning, and artificial intelligence by various manufacturing and packaging companies, along with other contemporary technological advancements, are significant drivers driving the growth of the global inspection machines market. Manufacturers and local governments are increasingly searching for innovative methods to keep up with the rising demand for medications and immunizations.
Automating laboratory processes to achieve high precision and short turnaround time is a common practice among biopharmaceutical corporations, research institutes, contract research organisations (CROs), and contract development and manufacturing companies (CDMOs) to reduce the gap between supply and demand. Businesses can gain a competitive edge by using automated inspection devices to reduce manufacturing costs and improve product quality. With the decreasing cost of laser gauging sensors and machine vision inspection cameras, more businesses are installing automated inspection systems in their buildings. By almost completely avoiding human error, automated inspection equipment raises the quality of the produced goods. Businesses that utilize automated inspection systems showcase them to potential customers as an example of their cutting-edge operations. Automated inspection systems require one-time investments and can be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with little to no further cost. For instance, Hitachi High-Tech Corporation unveiled the LS9300AD system, their most recent innovation, in March 2024. This cutting-edge technique is designed to carefully examine non-patterned wafer materials' front and rear surfaces to detect any flaws or particles. The LS9300AD system incorporates a sophisticated Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) examination function and conventional dark-field laser scattering technology. While the DIC capabilities further improve the system's ability to identify irregular faults, including shallow and low-aspect microscopic defects, this integration makes detecting foreign chemicals and defects possible.
Adoption of Industry 4.0 Technologies Leading to Market Expansion
The global market for inspection machines is growing significantly due to developments in automation and Industry 4.0. Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are examples of automation technologies that improve the accuracy and efficiency of inspection procedures. Compared to human inspectors, automated inspection robots can do repetitive jobs more consistently and precisely, lowering the chances of errors and boosting productivity. This is especially helpful in sectors like electronics, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals, where quality control standards are very strict and equally necessary. This expansion is further amplified by Industry 4.0, which is defined by the combination of big data analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cyber-physical systems. These technologies make real-time monitoring and analysis of production processes possible, which facilitates the early identification of flaws and violations of quality requirements. Large volumes of data are collected by IoT devices from inspection equipment, and this data is subjected to sophisticated algorithms for analysis to spot trends and anticipate problems before they arise. Predictive maintenance improves overall efficiency by lowering operating expenses and downtime. Furthermore, deploying sophisticated inspection machines is aided by the worldwide trend of smart manufacturing and digital transformation. Modern inspection systems are becoming more and more expensive for manufacturers to purchase in order to stay competitive and meet legal requirements. These devices' integration with AI and machine learning enables ongoing learning and development, further propelling market expansion. Strong inspection solutions are also becoming more and more necessary as e-commerce and consumer demand for high-quality goods grow. Modern inspection equipment guarantees that goods live up to standards for quality, which promotes consumer trust and brand loyalty. Overall, automation and Industry 4.0 advancements are pivotal in expanding the global inspection machines market by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and predictive capabilities. For instance, Teledyne Digital Imaging Inc. introduced new Rad-Xcam detectors based on IGZO technology in July 2023. These detectors offer strong integration cost advantages and are employed in scientific, biomedical, and industrial inspection applications.
Growth in Market Due to Government Mandates and Good Manufacturing Practices
The implementation of good manufacturing practices (GMP) and strict government regulations is a major factor driving the growth of the global market for inspection machines. Manufacturing processes must include advanced inspection technologies in order to comply with GMPs, which are methodical standards that guarantee the quality, safety, and effectiveness of manufactured products. By including extensive inspection processes to identify and get rid of flaws, impurities, or irregularities, these procedures guarantee that goods are up to par before they are sold to customers. Businesses are consequently spending more money on advanced inspection equipment in order to meet GMP regulations, which is driving market expansion.
Government laws that impose strict safety and quality standards on a variety of industries, such as electronics, food and beverage, and medicines, further intensify this need. Manufacturers must follow strict inspection guidelines set forth by regulatory agencies like the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to avoid any disciplinary actions taken against them and to be able to access the markets. The market for inspection machines is driven by the regulatory pressure on businesses to adopt cutting-edge inspection technologies. Furthermore, the growth of international trade and the globalization of industries demand that various regulatory standards be followed in various regions globally.
The demand for inspection machines is expected to remain stable due to the globalization of regulatory frameworks as businesses endeavor to comply with diverse regional standards. In conclusion, the robust expansion of the worldwide inspection machines market is driven by the alignment of GMP with government mandates, which also ensures product safety and quality. This synergy between regulatory compliance and technological advancement is pivotal in sustaining market growth and fostering innovation in inspection solutions. For instance, a hospital pharmacy reported to Accord Healthcare, Inc. that vials labeled ""Daptomycin for Injection 500 mg/vial"" were discovered in cartons labeled ""Daptomycin for Injection 350 mg/vial."" As a result, the company voluntarily recalled a single lot of Daptomycin for Injection 500 mg/vial and Daptomycin for Injection 350 mg/vial product in December 2022. Additionally, the inner vial and exterior carton both have the same lot and expiration date, which reads ""Daptomycin for Injection 500 mg/vial."" Such instances explain why GMPs should be strictly followed, further promoting market expansion.
Increasing Dominance of Vision Inspection Segment Leading to Market Growth
The market for inspection machines is expected to experience substantial growth in the vision inspection segment due to various factors, including the rise in counterfeit medications and product recalls and the pharmaceutical industry's adoption of GMP procedures and innovative inspection techniques. The adoption of innovative inspection systems for the real-time tracking, tracing, and authentication of drugs in the pharmaceutical industry has increased due to the introduction of technologically advanced products and increasingly strict regulatory measures aimed at maintaining a secure drug supply in the wake of rising counterfeit drug sales. Throughout the projection period, these variables are expected to boost segment growth. Due to this, instances of fake medication are probably going to increase demand for inspection devices, which will help the market expand. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical industry follows several criteria during the manufacturing process, including packaging safety, compatibility with cosmetics, and content of end-user education materials. This necessitates the development of a unique inspection system to meet standards and enhance overall quality.
For example, according to a June 2022 article published in the National Library of Medicine, one of the areas where the vision inspection system is being used is for checking the presence or absence and the detection of products on or within a package on a regular basis. Furthermore, according to the same source, these inspection systems are employed to examine blister packaging for broken or missing tablets and to find out whether any parts of the medicinal systems that are given with a particular kit are missing or not. This boosts the pharmaceutical industry's use of vision inspection systems, which fuels the expansion of the segment. In addition, as more vision inspection systems are introduced into the market, there are more high-tech devices available, which is expected to lead to a rise in their use in the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, the studied segment is predicted to develop throughout the forecast period due to factors including the growing number of pharmaceuticals that are falsified, the growing adoption of visual inspection systems, and the increasing number of product launches.
For instance, Mirtec Co., LTD, which is a company that offers unrivaled technology in 3D and 2D vision optical inspection devices to cutting-edge industries, launched a software suite called Intellisys in 2024 that promotes continuous process improvement by allowing the manufacturers to track and eliminate defects on inspected assemblies. Intellisys also provides remote debugging and monitoring of up to eight production lines, allowing Mirtec Co., LTD customers to further maximize the efficiency of the inspection process.
North America to Dominate the Inspection Machines Market
The greatest market for inspection machines is North America. North America has a strong presence in the global inspection market because of several important aspects that support its industry-leading position. These include advances in technology, thriving manufacturing sectors, investments in research and development, and an innovative and entrepreneurial culture. North America's sophisticated technological infrastructure and experience account for its market supremacy in inspection machines. With top research centers, academic institutions, and tech firms leading innovation in inspection technologies, the region has a solid foundation in science, engineering, and technology. The availability of highly qualified experts and professionals in domains like robotics, computer vision, and artificial intelligence bolsters North America's capacity to create state-of-the-art inspection systems. Government support for R&D initiatives, coupled with collaboration between academia, industry, and government agencies, fosters an environment conducive to innovation and technological advancements.
As more and more Industry 4.0 technologies, like cloud computing, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), are incorporated into surface inspection systems, North American industries are leading the way in their adoption. By enabling data analysis, predictive maintenance, and real-time monitoring, these technologies enhance industrial procedures and raise the potential of the expected output. The smooth assimilation of Industry 4.0 technologies into inspection systems amplifies efficacy, precision, and output, propelling their extensive implementation throughout diverse industries in North America. The regulatory landscape in North America is favorable and places a high priority on consumer protection, safety regulations, and quality assurance. Regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and Health Canada play a crucial role in setting standards and guidelines for surface inspection in industries such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. For instance, Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Euclid Medical Products signed a sales agreement in January 2023 for the sale of JVM's Vizen EX, a fully automated drug inspection machine capable of inspecting up to 400 pills per minute in the United States by comparing the quantity, size, and shape of the pills with the prescription's contents via an integrated special camera.
Future Market Scenario (2024-2031F)
The increasing prevalence of fake medicines, kits, and pharmaceutical products contributes to the anticipated growth of the inspection machines market. Rising rules and regulations to enforce strict checking procedures while manufacturing products is a factor that will always propel the market growth in the future. Given that technology is advancing, cutting-edge technology in the area is expected. Players in this market are expanding at an unparalleled rate, introducing cost-effective and efficient technologies. Government policies and policies made by welfare bodies are also greatly fueling the market expansion. For instance, Antares Vision S.p.A. introduced a new automated visual inspection system called VRI-VI 060 S.A in October 2022. It offers pre-filled (PFS) syringes for high-quality examination.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
Several companies such as Robert Bosch GmbH, Körber Technologies GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Mettler Toledo, Antares Vision S.p.A, Cognex Corporation, OMRON Healthcare, Inc., Optel Vision Inc., ACG Group, etc., are expanding business by planning and adopting new strategies. They are complying with new strategic initiatives regarding the launches of newly developed inspection machines, to help researchers and to strengthen their presence in the market. New product launches, agreements based on contracts, acquisitions and mergers, investments and partnerships are a few ways through which they are trying to achieve the same.
For instance, Epic Systems Corporation introduced a brand-new turnkey vision inspection product in March 2022 that combines lid package verification with label inspection, with the goal of offering manufacturers the best vision inspection solutions available.
Additionally, Mettler Toledo unveiled the X34C X-ray in February 2022. This quick and efficient vertical X-ray inspection system is designed to detect contaminants in particular items within a specific application, blister packs, and sachets in the pharmaceutical sector.