Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1508761
24 SMT007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2023 Virani: Criteria to be considered include: • Type of inspection: rough-hole, final assembly, and cosmetic inspection require unique optics and lighting to properly identify defects. • Cycle time: How fast does the inspection need to be completed? • Quality target: What is the level of accu- racy required at the stage of production? • Value (or ROI): Cost of alternative (e.g., human inspector) or prevention of defects. How do automatic inspection systems handle component and PCB (printed circuit board) variations, such as different shapes, sizes, and colors? D'Amico: Once again, this really depends on whether the process is in-line or off-line. To process odd-shaped PCBs in-line, the manu- facturer would have to use some sort of pallet for transport through each stage of the manu- facturing process. Off-line inspection systems are more forgiving in this respect and they typically include a work fixture for processing these odd shapes. Different PCB colors such as white and red may be problematic for some inspection sys- tems and should be addressed as an upfront requirement. Some 2D and 3D systems simply cannot handle these variations. For instance, 2D bridge inspection may be problematic for white PCBs as this may create false calls. To cope with this issue, the inspection machine must be configured with an advanced lighting system. e same is true for 3D laser inspection systems that will be more susceptible to PCB color variation than a 3D moiré sys- tem due to absorption and reflectivity of the laser light. Once again, it is imperative to address these requirements as part of the equipment evalua- tion process. Scutchfield: e key here is to use a core technology and subsystems (under the hood) that are immune to color varia- tions and can handle a wide range of compo- nent sizes and heights. Some technologies are more suitable than others when it comes to this (back to the moiré vs. laser conversation), and the number and types of acquisition meth- ods (analog/digital, etc.) being used. Virani: Typical automatic inspection sys- tems require manual re-programming to han- dle such variations, which is a very time-con- suming and tedious trial-and-error process. As mentioned previously, machine learning/ AI systems can automate this process and be robust/adapt to different shapes, sizes, colors, etc. Can you discuss the integration of automatic inspection systems with other manufacturing processes and quality control measures? D'Amico: Industry 4.0 is a topic of much dis- cussion within the electronics manufactur- ing industry. In the most simplistic of terms, Industry 4.0 is a trend toward automation and data exchange within the manufacturing pro- cess. is basically requires connectivity and communication from machine-to-machine within the manufacturing line. e challenge is to collect data from each of the systems within the line and make that data available to the rest of the machines. Without test and inspection, there is no Industry 4.0. e whole purpose (Source: Darwin AI)