Process Control Tool Helps to Kick Off Production

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

MORRISON, Colo. — ScanINSPECT VPI from ScanCAD International qualifies each step of the assembly and fabrication process before production. This stand-alone system mixes a high-resolution, color flatbed scanner with a dual lighting system to provide a platform that verifies all of the process components before they reach the manufacturing floor.

In board assembly operations, ScanINSPECT VPI uses Gerber, CAD or Golden part data to validate board fabrication, stencil cleanliness, paste/adhesive deposition and populated boards. Used as a First Article inspection tool, operators can check line setup before beginning full-speed production. The calibrated scanner and dual lighting systems allow inspection of bare and populated boards on the same system.

Production staff can use ScanINSPECT VPI to check holes, slots and artwork, and ensure parts from multiple vendors conform to the required shape, position, color and size. They also can use it with stencils and screens to detect stretch, wear, blocked or damaged apertures and ensure that new stencils and screens match the board revision or that cleaning operations are successful. On wet boards, ScanINSPECT VPI can help operators/technicians compare depositions of paste or adhesives to Gerber, stencil or Golden boards.

On bare boards, production facilities can use ScanINSPECT VPI with FR4, ceramic or flex parts to ensure they match the original artwork design. For First Article Inspection of loaded boards, ScanINSPECT VPI can verify accurate placement of components, device rotation and that the correct package is in the correct location on the board.

Manufacturing engineers can use ScanINSPECT VPI to build part libraries direct from components without the error prone hand measuring process. New components can be checked against previously stored dimensions to ensure vendor-to-vendor consistency before parts reach the vision alignment systems on their placement machine.

In the hybrid microcircuit industry, ScanINSPECT VPI uses Gerber, CAD or golden part data on each step of an existing or NPI production process to validate design features, compare screens/artwork, verify wet substrate deposition, check loaded substrates and inspect screens for a series of process-crippling faults.

For design, ScanINSPECT VPI checks holes, slots and artwork, by comparing Mylar, diazo and glass chrome to Gerber or golden parts. It also works with wet substrates to compare printed substrates to the original Gerber data or golden parts and with loaded substrates it can be used for First Article Inspection to verify component locations and rotation, package-type and markings. On screens, ScanINSPECT VPI detects stretch, lifted emulsion, wear, blocked or damaged apertures and ensure that new screens match the board revision or that the cleaning operation has been successful.