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42 SMT Magazine • September 2017 the single operations from profile selection, component removal until the final installation with flux or solder paste (Figure 4). All process steps are assisted, the operator is guided through the process and instructed about the next working step. Pictograms show the next manual procedure if the system is not automatically executing the operation (Figure 5). Computer aided placement (CAP) is another tool, supporting the operator by means of image processing to achieve the best results. In the example the so called "comparator mode" shows coloured images of pads and pins and the best overlay in false colours (Figure 6). Component pins are shown in red, pads on the PCB are shown in green. Once the pins overlap to the pads the colour changes to blue and indicates to the operator when the best placement condition is reached. Other than in a live camera image, the computer aided placement uses means of image processing to provide best contrast pictures. Like for an air traffic controller (Figure 7), the system clearly visualizes the relevant data for Figure 4: Clearly structured profile selection for a rework process. Figure 5: Placement process with pictograms guiding the operator step by step. BTC AND SMT REWORK CHALLENGES