Optical inspection systems at Nepcon

Vision Engineering will be demonstrating its complete range of optical inspection systems at Nepcon 2004.

Vision Engineering will be demonstrating its complete range of optical inspection systems at Nepcon 2004.

These systems are ideal for electronics inspection and rework: the close pitch used in many of today's PCBs making the use of magnifying systems vital when carrying out inspection and rework of components.

To view components and solder joints during inspection and 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 their stereo microscope range.

An operator carrying out rework 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 in use.

Because the Mantis is low 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 ergonomical 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.

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.

Vision Engineering will also be taking part in the second Smart Group "Hands-on lead free experience".

This will give visitors the opportunity to take a close look at lead free solder joints, giving them an understanding for the real issues involved in the change over to lead free production, and how this is going to change the visual appearance of their joints and boards.

These systems will be on show at the Nepcon 2004 show, and visitors are invited to bring along their PCB and component samples to see for themselves the advantages offered by Vision Engineering's optical systems.

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