Machine Vision & Industrial Inspection AI worked example

Vision Image Storage with images captured per hour of 150 images / hr: a worked example

Here is what the math looks like when conditions slip. We hold every other input steady and drop images captured per hour to 150 images / hr, then walk the calculation through step by step. Estimate the total image storage volume required for a machine vision inspection system based on image capture rate, file size, retention period, and compression ratio, so you can size storage infrastructure before deployment.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Images captured per hour: 150 images / hr (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 300)
  • Average image file size (uncompressed): 5 MB / image (held at the documented default)
  • Retention period: 720 hr (held at the documented default)
  • Compression factor: 0.15 x (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Raw image volume = images per hour x file size x retention period.
  • Total compressed storage volume (MB) works out to 81,000 MB at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Compressed storage volume works out to 540,000 value at these inputs.
  • Compression factor applied works out to 0.15 x at these inputs.
  • Raw image volume before compression works out to 750 value at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where images captured per hour sits at 300 images / hr and the headline result is 162,000 MB, this scenario comes in 50% below the baseline at 81,000 MB.
  • The practical read: the gap between this scenario and the baseline is entirely attributable to images captured per hour, so recovering it is worth quantifying in dollars before considering equipment or staffing changes. It assumes a single average frame size and a constant compression ratio; mixed resolutions, color depth changes, or saving only on reject will shift the real figure materially.

Results at a glance

  • Total compressed storage volume (MB): 81,000 MB (headline result)
  • Compressed storage volume: 540,000 value
  • Compression factor applied: 0.15 x
  • Raw image volume before compression: 750 value

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Vision Image Storage calculator, set images captured per hour to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.