Visual Inspections

Inspections are the periodic visual and condition verification rounds that technicians perform on equipment. Instead of using a paper form that gets filed away and that no one else can consult, Rela AI digitizes the process: the technician completes the inspection from their phone, results are recorded instantly, and the system automatically compares with previous inspections to detect deterioration.

What is it for?

Automatic sensors capture many signals, but there are conditions that only the human eye can detect: a slow oil leak that barely stains the floor, a belt starting to fray, a vibration that feels different from last week, a new noise the vibration sensor cannot measure at that sensitivity.

Inspections cover the space that sensors cannot fill:

• Visual checks with clear, standardized criteria
• Manual measurements (temperature with an infrared thermometer, pressure with a portable gauge)
• Photographic record of findings
• Comparative history that shows whether something is getting worse between inspections
• Automatic corrective work order generation when a checkpoint fails 3 consecutive times

How does it work?

Inspections work with templates: first you define what to check (template), then technicians execute that template on specific assets.

A template defines the list of checkpoints, each with:

• What to check and how to measure it
• What result is acceptable (pass/fail or a value range)
• Specific instructions for the technician

When a technician executes an inspection, they go checkpoint by checkpoint recording their result. Upon completion, the system generates an automatic summary and saves the complete record.

How to use it?

Create an inspection template

1. Go to Inspections in the sidebar.
2. Click New Template.
3. Assign a descriptive name (e.g., "Weekly Inspection — Compressors").
4. Add the checkpoints:

Pass/Fail type — for visual checks without measurement:

Value type — for measurements with an acceptable range:

5. Define the recommended frequency (daily, weekly, monthly).
6. Save the template.

Execute an inspection

1. In the template list, select the template to use.
2. Click Start Inspection.
3. Select the asset you are going to inspect.
4. The system creates the inspection record and shows the first checkpoint.
5. For each checkpoint:
   • Record the result (pass/fail or the measured value)
   • Add notes if you found something relevant
   • Attach photos if the checkpoint has a visual finding
6. Advance to the next checkpoint until all are complete.
7. Click Complete Inspection.

View the inspection summary

Upon completion, the system automatically generates a summary:

View the comparative history

In an asset's profile, you can see the history of all its inspections and compare how each checkpoint evolves over time.

If a checkpoint fails in 3 consecutive inspections, the system automatically generates a corrective work order linked to the asset so the problem is addressed before it becomes a major failure.

Key benefits

• Standardized inspections — all technicians review the same points with the same criteria
• Instant digital record — no paper-to-system transcription
• Photographic record linked to the asset for visual evidence of findings
• Comparative history that detects gradual deterioration before failure
• Automatic work order generation when a problem repeats
• Available on mobile to complete directly in the field
• Supports ISO and safety regulation audits

Common use cases

Scenario 1: Daily operator round The shift operator performs a daily round of the 12 equipment in their area using the "Daily Inspection — Line B" template. From their phone, they check each point in under 20 minutes. When they reach compressor C-03, they notice there is an oil stain below and mark it as "fail" with a photo. They complete the round and the system automatically creates a maintenance task: "Inspection Finding: Oil Leak — Compressor C-03" with Medium priority.

Scenario 2: Monitoring gradual deterioration Pump B-07 has a manual vibration checkpoint (acceptable range: 0–4.5 mm/s). Over 6 weeks, the technician records the weekly values: 2.1 → 2.4 → 2.8 → 3.2 → 3.6 → 3.9 mm/s. The comparative history shows a clear upward trend. In week 7, when the value reaches 4.2 mm/s (still within range but with a clear trend), the maintenance manager decides to advance the bearing replacement before it exceeds the limit and causes a production failure.

Scenario 3: Client audit A major client auditing the manufacturer asks for evidence that all equipment on the production line was inspected monthly during the year. The quality coordinator downloads the inspection history for the "Monthly Inspection — Line 1" template for all 12 months of the year. The report shows 12 completed inspections for each of the 8 assets on the line, with 100% completion rates in all cases. Audit passed.