ResNet-SE-CBAM Siamese Networks for Few-Shot and Imbalanced PCB Defect Classification

Defect detection in mass production lines often involves small and imbalanced datasets, necessitating the use of few-shot learning methods. Traditional deep learning-based approaches typically rely on large datasets, limiting their applicability in real-world scenarios. This study explores few-shot learning models for detecting product defects using limited data, enhancing model generalization and stability. Unlike previous deep learning models that require extensive datasets, our approach effectively performs defect detection with minimal data. We propose a Siamese network that integrates Residual blocks, Squeeze and Excitation blocks, and Convolution Block Attention Modules (ResNet-SE-CBAM Siamese network) for feature extraction, optimized through triplet loss for embedding learning. The ResNet-SE-CBAM Siamese network incorporates two primary features: attention mechanisms and metric learning. The recently developed attention mechanisms enhance the convolutional neural network operations and significantly improve feature extraction performance. Meanwhile, metric learning allows for the addition or removal of feature classes without the need to retrain the model, improving its applicability in industrial production lines with limited defect samples. To further improve training efficiency with imbalanced datasets, we introduce a sample selection method based on the Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM). Additionally, a high defect rate training strategy is utilized to reduce the False Negative Rate (FNR) and ensure no missed defect detections. At the classification stage, a K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) classifier is employed to mitigate overfitting risks and enhance stability in few-shot conditions. The experimental results demonstrate that with a good-to-defect ratio of 20:40, the proposed system achieves a classification accuracy of 94% and an FNR of 2%. Furthermore, when the number of defective samples increases to 80, the system achieves zero false negatives (FNR = 0%). The proposed metric learning approach outperforms traditional deep learning models, such as parametric-based YOLO series models in defect detection, achieving higher accuracy and lower miss rates, highlighting its potential for high-reliability industrial deployment.