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56 SMT Magazine • August 2017 by Jens Kokott GOEPEL ELECTRONIC GMBH Inspection systems—such as automated op- tical inspection (AOI), automated X-ray inspec- tion (AXI) and solder paste inspection (SPI) sys- tems—are now a firm part of every electronics production. Depending on the production size and throughput, these are implemented direct- ly in the line (in-line) or as an isolated solution with automated or manual loading (offline). However, it is not only the implementation of the actual test tasks that is crucial for an ef- ficient use, but also the meaningful inclusion of the internal company process and data struc- ture. Peripheral modules, such as verification and repair stations, play an important role in this. Fault Verification Classic: Directly after the AOI System Even if inspection systems should no lon- ger be foregone, a necessary evil is attached to them: because of the unavoidable pseudo faults and due to the detailed fault classification, veri- fication stations are necessary for classification after AOI or AXI systems. Within production lines, verification of detected faults is typically undertaken by in- line workstations, equipped with a PC, moni- tor, software and corresponding licences. Their main task is often the dismissing of pseudo faults by the operator. Depending on the cy- cle time of the line and occurring pseudo faults, the employee is only utilized at this verification station for a part of their working time. Efficiency through Centralization: Mutual Verification for Numerous Inspection Systems If numerous inspection systems are available in electronic production, then the logical next step is also to have this employee undertake the verification of results from other inspection sys- tems. Depending on the spatial arrangement of the systems (into one or more lines), this does mean that a part of the working time has to be allocated for the distances to the individual ver- ification stations. To assess the faults recognised by the AOI system, there is often additional, helpful infor- mation available (e.g., comparison pictures of a good PCB or angled-views of the respective part). This ensures that a skilful operator is able to undertake an assessment in most cases with- out having to view the objective PCB. Verification with Greater Security: Use of All Test Results This is now possible with verification soft- ware tools. One example is the PILOT Verify verification software, which is a part of the in- Verification of Inspection Results: Local, Central, Global? ARTICLE Figure 1: Part of a production line with AXI system and inline verification station.