Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1538540
mask issue. We told them what we needed, and within a day, we received back good, detailed information. It turned out not to have anything to do with solder masks, but the information Electra was able to provide helped to get to root cause. Their level of depth to help us with that problem was exceptional. Do you have regrets about going 100% inkjet? Have you considered bringing back a traditional mask line? Hendrickson: Traditional would have been easier at first, but I'm reminded by my quality manager that even conventional solder The AFI6 performs automated final visual inspection (AFVI) prior to packaging and shipment. It detects cosmetic and functional defects such as gold/copper discoloration, scratches, abnor- mal feature sizes, drill voids, solder mask or metal peeling, foreign objects, missing legends, and blurred markings. It works with setup and repair stations to improve throughput and consistency. Like the 4.0Pro, the AFI6 can download inspection programs dynamically per panel ID. Importantly, AFVI brings major advantages over traditional manual final inspection. Final inspection has long been a bot- tleneck in PCB production, with manu- facturers often relying on experienced inspectors to visually verify finished boards under magnification. This role is not only repetitive and fatiguing but increasingly complex to staff because of labor shortages and high turnover. Hiring and training skilled inspectors is time-consuming, and visual quality can vary between operators, leading to inconsistencies. AFVI solutions like Machvision's AFI6 address these challenges by standard- izing defect detection, maintaining consistent qual- ity standards, and significantly reducing inspection times. The system does not tire or lose focus over time, allowing 24/7 operation with predictable out- put. It also generates digital inspection records, supporting traceability and quality audits. The AFI6 system was configured for manual loading at SEL, with an option to upgrade to con- veyorized or automated loading in the future, sup- porting scalable automation. The 4.0Pro was con- figured with conveyors and has been integrated with automated loading. mask has its headaches. Long- term digital is the right path, and we have no plans to revert. In a factory like this, you have to think years ahead. What about your partnership with Schmoll? Hall: Schmoll has been an awesome partner. Hendrickson: Because we're try- ing to automate more than most people and in a different way, Schmoll has helped a lot. We've worked with them quite regularly to get the automation, communica- tion, MES, and data that we want. They are very customer-focused. Hall: On one of our first visits, we were talking about what needed to go into the frame, and the engineers said, "We don't have something like that. Give us a little bit of time, and we'll work with you to develop it." That was such a cool experience. You've also developed some new relationships, such as the one with Machvision. Tell me about that. Hendrickson: We found Machvi- son through all4-PCB, its domes- tic representative. Our first focus was the automated final inspec- tion. I've seen a lot of those types of machines in board AUGUST 2025 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 35 T h e wo r k l o a d fo r m a n u a l i n s p e ct i o n i s re d u c e d w i t h t h e u s e of t h e M a c hv i s i o n A F I 6. ▼