SMT inspection systems now come with a range of technological innovations.
This article introduces readers to the latest models in the market.
Electronic products rely on surface mounted components. According to various experts in the SMT segment, 65 per cent of SMT defects and 50 per cent of electronics assembly errors are due to below par solder joint formation and solder paste printing. The solder paste deposition process is prone to defects and errors during the manufacturing process. These defects can be found either in the solder paste itself, or in the solder printing process. Hence, a complete paste inspection is instantly done after screen printing. This is required to ensure high yields, minimise rework/retesting and reduce overall scrapping costs. In the past few years, SPI and AOI systems have become crucial in PCB assembly lines, especially in those industries where safety and quality standards matter. Vendors now supply products that range from simple camera systems to complex three-dimensional (3D) X-ray systems, which can fit into almost any automated manufacturing line.
Let’s now take a quick look at the latest SMT inspection machines available in the market.
| Model: OMRON CKD VP9000; Manufacturer: OMRON |
This new 3D SPI machine is designed to address difficult aspects of solder paste inspection. Its technology to acquire and measure the screen printed volume guarantees reliability and repeatability. In order to obtain the most accurate measurements, a wide choice of  resolutions is available and the switch can be set via software within the inspection program. A new GUI and very sharp statistical analysis allow a rapid and targeted improvement process. The new VP9000 can complete the loop 3D inspection of a screen-printing process, with the opportunity to correct its excesses.- Advertisement -
Key features:
Contact: Leaptech Corporation, www.leaptech.in |
| Model: ViTrox V9i; Manufacturer: ViTrox |
V9i CCI is an advanced robotics vision solution that runs conformal coating inspections on electronic devices in an environment safe for humans. The V9i provides extensive inspection coverage and thickness measurement, preventing humans from exposing their eyes to harmful UV light. It is designed for safety and quality-ensured inspection that eliminates human intervention. Equipped with a collaborative robotic arm and an intuitive touchscreen interface, the V9i CC is a flexible and compact conformal coating inspection  tool based on ViTrox’ automated optical inspection (AOI) solution. It provides accuracy, speed, consistency and traceability of inspection results. The flexible robotic arm allows for multi-angle inspection with unlimited top-clearance and the system is capable of detecting defects such as the excess/insufficient, presence/absence of the conformal coating. With an optional white light confocal displacement sensor, it provides coating thickness measurements. The V9i can also be used for inline inspection with SMEMA connectivity. Easy 10-minute programming, simple calibration and maintenance, a collision avoidance system and flexible mounting to adapt to users’ conveyor systems make the V9i CCI a usefuladdition to any PCBA production line.
Key features:
Contact: Bergen Associates, www.bergengroupindia.com |
| Model: YSi-V; Manufacturer: Yamaha Motor Co. |
Yamaha Motor Co. has developed the new high-end hybrid automated optical inspection (AOI) system called YSi-V. It employs newly developed high-speed, high-resolution image processing technology and exclusive image capture technology, to make a single unit with three functions—high speed, high-resolution 2D inspection; height and tilt angle 3D  inspection; and diagonal angle image inspection via a 4-direction angled camera.
Key features:
Contact: Trans Technology, www.trans-tec.com |
| Model: Zenith Alpha UHS Series; Manufacturer: Koh Young Technology, Inc. |
| Koh Young has introduced its True 3D automated optical inspection (AOI) platform—the Zenith Alpha, the development of which was driven by the need to inspect and measure densely populated boards at faster speeds.
By combining mechatronic designs and advanced algorithms with proprietary artificial intelligence and deep machine learning developments, the Zenith Alpha delivers best-in-class accuracy and performance, claim company sources. It incorporates a ‘Smart and The Zenith Alpha provides reliable 3D measurement and supports the latest factory optimisation solution from Koh Young called KSMART. This software suite integrates process management by linking the SPI and AOI to production results. Key features:
Contact: Panasonic India Pvt Ltd; http://industrial.panasonic.com/ww/fa-jisso |
| Model: V310i API; Manufacturer: ViTrox |
Kyoritsu Electric India Pvt Ltd, in partnership with ViTrox Technologies, Malaysia, has launched the V310i API advanced 3D solder paste inspection system (SPI) designed to cater to the needs of integrated vision solutions for smart manufacturing. This system is a high speed and high-resolution 3D solder paste inspection system that enables high accuracy with a short cycle time. It plays an essential role in ensuring the quality and quantity of the solder paste used for printing in the SMT line.
Key features:
Contact: Kyoritsu Electric India Pvt Ltd, www.kyoritsuelectric.com |
| Model: RV-2-3DH; Manufacturer: JUKI Corporation |
The RV-2-3DH is an imaging system used for inspecting PCBs during manufacturing, both before and after mounting. This new 3D SMD measurement system is highly repeatable and has the measurement accuracy needed to quickly eliminate defective SMD part  mounting and soldering processes, preventing defective board manufacturing from continuing. The machine is being used for a variety of other measurement and visual inspection applications, including automotive mechanical parts, medical devices, and odd-form electronic devices, in addition to the standard inspection of printed circuit boards.
Key features:
Contact: www.smtjukiindia.com |
| Model: SQ3000; Manufacturer: CyberOptics Corporation |
The 3D SQ3000 is a multi-functional, all-in-one system equipped with tools that cover AOI (automated optical inspection), SPI (solder paste inspection) and CMM (coordinate measurement machine) applications. The system can identify critical defects and measure  critical parameters, providing a process control solution for effective yield management. The company claims that in addition to AOI and SPI applications, accurate coordinate measurements can be attained faster than a traditional CMM – in seconds and not hours.
Key features:
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| Model: KY-8080; Manufacturer: Koh Young Technology Inc. |
The KY-8080 is a 3D SPI solution optimised for smartphone applications. It makes use of AI and Koh Young’s 3D technology to increase productivity and improve operational  efficiency.
Key features:
Contact: www.kohkoung.com, Indian distributor: NMTronics India Pvt Ltd |
| Model: 3D-AOI series; Manufacturer: Saki Corporation |
This system offers high speed as well as high accuracy inspection and measurement, with enhanced software and hardware platforms. Its data capture capabilities and machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity maximise production efficiency for the smart factory. Company sources claim the automated optical inspection (AOI) systems in this series improve process quality, process efficiency and productivity.
Key features:
Contact: iNETest Technologies India Pvt Ltd, www.inetest.co.in |
| Model: TR7700Q SII; Manufacturer: Test Research, Inc. (TRI) |
The TR7700Q SII combines the latest 2D and 3D technologies based on digital quad  pattern projection for PCB assembly inspection.
Key features:
Contact: Test & Research India (T&R), www.testindia.co.in |
| Model: 3D-SPI system; Manufacturer: Saki Corporation |
Saki’s 3D-SPI (solder paste inspection) systems enable production efficiency of the entire line with improved speed, as well as increased performance quality. Using Saki’s 3D-SPI  and 3D-AOI systems together increases line quality and enhances productivity, claim company sources.
Key features:
Contact: iNETest Technologies India Pvt Ltd, www.inetest.co.in |
Dynamic’ feature set, plus quality optimisation technologies stemming from the True 3D AOI expertise at Koh Young. The machine has concentrated that tech insight into a smart factory solution to increase process performance and reduce line downtime. At the same time, its inherent True 3D inspection capabilities help manufacturers methodically collect, analyse and manage data in real-time for a multifaceted view of the assembly process. This helps to transform the manufacturing floor into a smart factory with high production yields.
