ITL Invests in AOI Systems to Assure Quality of Medical Device PCBAs

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ITL Group is further investing in its in-house SMT manufacturing facility by acquiring optical inspection and electrical testing systems to boost the quality of its medical device PCB assemblies (PCBAs).

Headquartered in Kent, UK, ITL is an ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 accredited company offering design and manufacturing services to the medical and life science sectors. In the medical electronics industry, quality and precision are crucial, so as device designs become more complex, the need for advanced inspection becomes critical.

The equipment upgrade includes an automated optical inspection (AOI) system set to become inline as part of the company’s SMT process, and an SMD component tester, to ensure the quality of electrical components before placement.

The ALD770S i3D Inline AOI is one of the fastest and most accurate machines available on the market. It is designed to overcome all PCB design challenges including shadows, different component colors, PCB warp and more.

“The investment in the ALD770S i3D AOI reflects our focus on assuring the quality of finished medical devices. We understand that optical inspection is an essential part of the quality process in manufacturing, that’s why we continue to invest heavily in the latest technologies to assure our customers have confidence in the quality of our PCBs,” said Tristan Lambert, Production Manager at ITL.

The component tester can measure resistors, capacitors, diodes and inductors with voltages up to 40V. It can be programmed to test all components prior to placement, or the first and last components to verify correct feeder loading.

All test data is held at component level providing control and, where necessary, traceability at individual circuit level, giving customers and end-users confidence that ITL has completed the process within design and production limits.

“Continuous improvement has been a guiding force for ITL since the beginning, this recent investment in new equipment ensures quality, increases accuracy and prevents potential errors from occurring,” Tristan said.