Whether an imaging system measures dimensions, verifies colors, or determines shape, the purpose of machine vision is to distinguish an object from its background. 

Fracture mechanics testing including fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth testing is important to the safe design and operation of structures. In this paradigm, the fracture toughness of a material describes the ability of the material to withstand a static load before failure. 

In the plastics industry, it is common for molded components to have visual manufacturing defects leading to increased scrap rates, part rejects, and expensive rework.

Detecting product surface flaws—such as discolorations, burns, cracks, and scratches—is a difficult task for human or machine vision.