SMART Events

SMART Group AOI Seminar At Haldex Brakes
25th September, Redditch, England

The SMART Group organised a seminar on AOI, Automated Optical Inspection, on 25th September 03.

The programme included the following speakers:

Ann Crompton, Haldex: Introduction
Peter Marshall, AbTech: Entry level AOI
Ann Crompton, Haldex: The User's View – What AOI has done for us
Sean Langbridge, Cyberoptics: In-line paste inspection
Peter Grundy, Siemens Dematic: Real time data feedback to placement equipment

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 so that, even 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% of machines using post reflow. Time will tell if 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 steadily work more closely together in order 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 in which to hold the seminar.