The online-style AOI is a fully automatic machine that can be placed on the production line for automatic loading, automatic inspection, automatic unloading, and automatic sending of signals to the maintenance station. It features a substrate conveyor system, with the substrate typically fixed while the camera moves simultaneously in the X/Y directions.

Offline AOI requires manual placement of the PCBA to be inspected onto the AOI inspection platform before starting the detection process. After completion, the PCBA is manually removed and the next PCBA is loaded, repeating the cycle.

Online AOI systems are versatile, applicable both before and after the furnace, whereas offline AOI systems are only used after the furnace.

Online AOI systems significantly reduce labor costs, while maintaining a relatively high cost-performance ratio.