SMART Group AOI seminar at Haldex Brakes, Redditch

Citation

(2004), "SMART Group AOI seminar at Haldex Brakes, Redditch", Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Vol. 16 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ssmt.2004.21916aab.002

SMART Group AOI seminar at Haldex Brakes, Redditch

SMART Group AOI seminar at Haldex Brakes, Redditch

Keywords: SMART Group

The SMART Group organised a seminar on automated optical inspection (AOI), on 25 September 2003. The programme included the following speakers.

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  Ann Crompton, Haldex – Introduction.

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  Peter Marshall, AbTech – Entry level AOI.

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  Ann Crompton – The user’s view – what AOI has done for us.

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  Sean Langbridge, Cyberoptics – In-line paste inspection.

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  Peter Grundy, Siemens Dematic – Real time data feedback to placement equipment.

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  Simon Davis, Orbotech – Post reflow inspection for process control.

The order of topics allowed the correct flow of information and a good degree of re-inforcement of concepts. Though many of these concepts were repeated by most speakers, there was a clear message of a coherent industry working towards the common goal of solid process control with minimal errors.

Peter Marshall outlined the various possible AOI techniques and concentrated on bench top and entry level in-line systems. This set the scene for the remaining speakers to build on these techniques and show how AOI can and, in many cases, should be an integral method of feeding back statistical data to appropriate elements of the production line. Significantly, the most popular questions were about the necessary programming time for the various systems discussed, so it is clear that time spent setting up processes is seen as a major cost factor.

Ann Crompton made the very valid point that AOI, like ACT and other test strategies, needs dfm to make it work well. Tall components placed too close to low profile ones will tend to shadow them at AOI which may trigger a false response.

Despite the increasing interest in AOI as feedback at the front of a production line, Simon Davis declared that there are still about 74 percent of machines using post reflow. Time will tell whether this is a permanent state of affairs or a changing one.

Sean Langbridge gave evidence of a probable change when he confirmed that Cyberoptics have more than 250 paste inspection systems installed worldwide. Sean also made the point that post- print AOI needs to be a 3D measurement system to avoid the Go/NoGo scenario which can lead to false calls. Positive upper and lower limit thresholds define the print process so precisely that any out-of-spec measurements lead to the print being rejected safely and on-costs minimised.

It became clear that the major suppliers of capital equipment will work steadily and more closely together to achieve proper closed loop feedback with minimal intervention by operators or other staff.

The day was completed with a tour of the production lines and assembly facilities at Haldex to demonstrate the morning’s theories in action.

The Smart Group wishes to warmly thank Haldex Brakes for their hospitality and for providing a suitable infrastructure to hold the seminar (photographs taken on the day are available).

For further information, contact Mike Judd PR Director – The Smart Group.