Product category:
Electronics Manufacturing Quality Assurance
News Release from: Vision Engineering | Subject: Optical inspection systems
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 27 November 2003
Vision systems take the work out of
rework
Vision Engineering provides a family of optical inspection systems that are ideal for electronics rework.
Vision Engineering provides a family of optical inspection systems that are ideal for electronics rework The close pitch used in many of today's PCBs makes the use of magnifying systems vital when carrying out manual rework of components and solder joints
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Mar 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Optical inspection systems at Nepcon
Vision Engineering will be demonstrating its complete range of optical inspection systems at Nepcon 2004.
Optical inspection systems take an oblique view
Vision Engineering has developed a switchable oblique and direct viewer for its innovative expanded-pupil Alpha and Lynx optical inspection systems.
To view components and solder joints during rework, an operator's working position and eye fatigue can quickly cause discomfort and a drop in efficiency.
These problems have been addressed by Vision Engineering in the design of its stereo microscope range.
When carrying out rework, an operator needs to see a clear, bright, magnified image of the PCB, and be able to hold a soldering iron from above with a full range of movement around the board.
Two of the industry proven solutions from Vision Engineering are the Mantis magnifier and the Lynx stereo zoom microscope.
Mantis has proved extremely successful in the electronics sector, with thousands of units worldwide currently being used in rework applications.
Because the Mantis is low in cost and simple to use, it can be operated where previously a bench magnifier or head mounted loop would have been used.
However, unlike these tools, the optical ergonomic advantages of the Mantis allow a high degree of user head movement which can dramatically reduce fatigue.
Operators can quickly transfer their gaze from the viewed image to the component, without causing eye strain.
Using a 2x magnification with Mantis gives a working distance of more than 170mm - ideal when using a soldering iron.
The Lynx advanced stereo zoom microscope adds higher magnification and increased functionality to the benefits of the Mantis.
Using a zoom range from 3.5 to 20x magnification, a working distance of 175mm is perfect for rework, allowing the operator to move a PCB and soldering iron underneath the microscope.
In addition, the large depth of field (the area in focus to the operator) provided by Lynx means that soldered components can be viewed with a bright, well contrasted image even when there is some variation in the height of the components and solder joints.
The optional oblique viewing accessory allows components to be viewed from various rotated angles, offering inspection all the way around a component. Request a free brochure from Vision Engineering ...
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