Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1508761
26 SMT007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2023 of test and inspection is to collect actionable data that may be used to reduce defects and maximize efficiency within the manufactur- ing line. e goal is to minimize scrap and get a really good handle on those process param- eters that need to be put in place to manufac- ture products the right way the first time. For maximum efficiency, three inspection systems are required within the production line. ese are solder paste inspection (SPI) post-sol- der deposition, automated optical inspection (AOI) post-placement, and AOI post-reflow. is requires a substantial investment, how- ever, the combination of all three inspection machines is really the only true way to provide feedback for each stage of the manufacturing process. Scutchfield: ere is a lot of work going on to create real time communication and connec- tivity between inspection tools and the sys- tems that are most likely to create defects, to allow for real time auto-adjustment, which can potentially eliminate those defects from being created. is is being done through both CFX communication protocol and the use of AI tools for both the screen printing and pick- and-place processes. is is now a daily reality and will continue to expand and grow in capa- bility as time goes on. Virani: With the digitization of inspection records and data, there is a promising oppor- tunity to integrate it with other data sets. One of the most frequent demands we receive from our customers is to integrate inspection data with MES data. By integrating detailed qual- ity data and supporting metadata (information about inspection, and production), it's pos- sible to gain insights into drivers of yield and potential improvements. What are some recent advancements or trends in automatic inspection systems for electronics manufacturing, and how are they impacting the industry? D'Amico: e widespread adoption of artifi- cial intelligence (AI) is perhaps the most pro- lific current trend in automated inspection. In today's electronics manufacturing industry, standards for defect and quality control are stricter than ever due to advancements of elec- tronic products and increasing safety and envi- ronmental regulations. Electronics manufac- turers are forced to maximize their production efficiency by implementing Lean manufactur- ing initiatives and optimizing production pro- cesses. Manufacturers are relying upon AOI equipment to streamline the manufacturing process and provide real time root cause anal- ysis of manufacturing defects. e objective Left to right: An AOI machine (Source: Darwin AI); an image capture (Source: MIRTEC); an SPI machine (Source: Koh Young).