AOI machines boost reliability and improve design

Building Block Video and Prima Electronic Services are two of nine UK and Ireland organisations to have purchased Omron AOI systems from Contax.

In recent months, Contax has installed no fewer than 15 Omron AOI (automation optical inspection) systems at nine different customer sites in the UK and Ireland.

The machines range from the large inline VT-RNS, through to the smaller benchtop VT-RNS-ptH system.

Customers include: Building Block Video, Prima Electronic Services, RFTRAQ, Hosiden Besson and Deep Sea Electronics.

All the users wanted to improve the quality and reliability of their optical inspection.

And in some cases the new Omron has been instrumental in developing new procedures.

Several manufacturers are now using their systems to identify and correct errors in product design.

One company benefiting from both these applications is Building Block Video (BBV).

An existing Contax customer, BBV has now purchased a benchtop VT-RNS-ptH to automate its inspection process.

"We had already bought a number of different machines from Contax, and have always found them very helpful and their service excellent", says Trevor Malton, Process Service Manager at BBV.

"So when we wanted to incorporate AOI into our processes, it seemed only natural to turn to them".

"Traditionally, we were inspecting everything under high powered magnification, but when you are looking a numerous boards it is easy to become 'snow-blind' and human error can happen".

"AOI takes the uncertainty out of inspection", says Malton.

"There are three specific elements that attracted us to Omron's system", he adds.

"Firstly, the benchtop unit is a good, compact size; secondly, we are able to connect it to our rework station; and finally, it is very easy to use".

"You just load the board, push the button and all the relevant information appears on the screen".

The Omron system is also being used to fine-tune product design.

Malton continues: "The AOI is helping us to monitor our PCB design and identify any faults with the pad".

"We can then feed this information back to our design team, so that they can upgrade the library".

"The next time that board is made, those changes will be incorporated".

Malton concludes: "The Omron AOI system has not only increased the reliability of our boards, but has also ensured that any design faults can be corrected in future".

Prima Electronic Services has also purchased a benchtop system, although its new VT-RNS-ptH L is specifically designed to handle boards of up to 650 x 550mm.

"We were concerned about post reflow inspection and decided to automate our processes", explains Mike Rogers, Director at Prima.

"Fine pitch components are becoming so small that it is difficult to inspect the joints accurately even under high microscope magnification".

"Added to this, as a leading CEM, we manufacture a wide range of boards, so we needed a system that could handle the larger sises".

Rogers continues: "We attended Nepcon this year and looked at four different systems".

"We wanted a unit that offered fast and easy programming and was reliable".

"In my experience, many AOI systems flag up false failures - an error that is both expensive and time-consuming".

"We need to be able to adapt quickly to our customers' needs whilst keeping a tight rein on unnecessary expenditure".

"So setup costs must be kept to a minimum, and accuracy is extremely important".

"The Omron system won us over on both counts and it is certainly handling the job well".

"Contax delivered and installed the system on time, the training was good and comprehensive and the post sales support has been superb".

"We would highly recommend both the system and Contax's service", concludes Rogers.

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