Overview

In the railways and infrastructure sector, equipment arrives at its destination only as safely as it was packed and shipped. Damage during transport, incorrect labeling, and packaging oversights not only lead to costly delays and replacements—but also compromise safety-critical components before they ever reach the installation site.

NorrStudio, developed by NorrSpect, offers an AI-powered inspection layer to ensure that every crate, box, and shipment meets the exacting standards required for transportation of high-value rail equipment. By identifying packaging errors, part mismatches, and in-transit damage, NorrStudio reduces post-delivery issues and ensures operational readiness at the point of arrival.

About NorrSpect

NorrSpect, based in Umeå, Sweden, is a pioneer in AI-based industrial inspection systems. Known for powering visual QA for global manufacturers including Volvo Cars, NorrSpect brings its advanced computer vision platform to infrastructure industries, helping customers in the railway sector eliminate costly errors during the final—and most vulnerable—stage of the supply chain.

The Challenge: Hidden Losses in Packaging & Transit

Complex components such as electrical panels, signaling modules, or mechanical subassemblies are often damaged before they're ever installed—due to poor packaging practices, improper labeling, or unnoticed impacts during loading and unloading.

Operators face recurring issues such as:

• Improper crate assembly or missing padding

• Unseen cracks or breaks inside closed packaging

• Hardware shipped loose within containers

• Mismatched part numbers and packing lists

• Moisture-related corrosion during storage

• Mishandled equipment with forklift dents

These lead to delays, site shutdowns, or expensive returns—often identified too late in the delivery cycle.

Defects Detected by NorrStudio

• Incorrect or incomplete crating of fragile equipment

• Forklift puncture or impact signs on wooden pallets

• Condensation or water exposure on sensitive panels

• Part label mismatches or missing shipping barcodes

• Cracked signal lamp lenses inside otherwise sealed boxes

• Loose screws, bolts, or brackets detected via motion or displacement detection

How NorrStudio Works

Using advanced AI-trained vision models, NorrStudio automates packaging inspections both before shipment and upon delivery. It scans the contents, crate structure, labeling, and surface condition of critical infrastructure components. Any detected anomaly is flagged in real-time—giving packaging and QA teams the chance to resolve it before dispatch or during goods-in inspection.

Capabilities:

• 3D package surface analysis to identify dents, tears, or moisture

• Label and barcode verification matched against digital manifests

• Hardware detection algorithms for spotting loose or missing fasteners

• Visual content confirmation (e.g., correct item in correct packaging)

• Impact damage detection based on deformation patterns

• Humidity sensor & visual fusion for moisture condition monitoring

Deployment Highlight: Safeguarding Signaling Components During Shipping

Problem:

A national rail infrastructure supplier experienced recurring damage to signal lamps and control panels during shipping. Despite careful manual packaging, some components arrived cracked or mislabeled, leading to field team delays and reorders.

Solution:

NorrStudio was deployed at the packaging line to scan each unit before sealing, verifying crate integrity, component labeling, and presence of protective materials. AI models were also used on arrival to cross-check shipment contents against expected inventory and surface integrity.

Result:

• Zero transit-damaged components across 400+ shipments

• Identified 17 labeling mismatches before dispatch

• Detected 12 units with packaging voids (missing foam or wrap)

• Saved over €65,000 in rework and urgent part reordering

• Improved warehouse QA throughput by 48%

Impact Summary

Why NorrStudio for Packaging QA in Railways

• Prevents critical damage to electrical and mechanical equipment in transit

• Automatically verifies packing accuracy and protective material usage

• Cross-checks barcode and label accuracy with backend ERP or MES

• Detects shipping risk factors like crate stress, humidity, or part motion

• Provides full traceability and photo documentation for every shipment