Yamaha Boosts YRi-V AOI Productivity with 3D Component Update

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Yamaha Robotics Europe SMT Section has introduced instantaneous 3D component update, included with the latest software release for YRi-V automatic optical inspection (AOI) systems, letting users optimise inspection programs without stopping production. 

“Many AOI systems need to reload the board data any time the inspection program is modified, for the change to take effect,” commented Kamil Stasiak, Product Marketing Manager, Yamaha Robotics Europe, SMT Section. “With our latest software update, Yamaha YRi-V users are free to adjust and fine-tune their programs at any time and apply updates without stopping the machine. They can thus benefit immediately from improvements such as faster cycle time and greater inspection accuracy, while maintaining full productivity.”

The new 3D component update feature addresses a common challenge when inspecting boards that contain dissimilar components, such as small surface-mount devices (SMD) and large through-hole connectors. This is a situation often encountered when building automotive control boards, as well as some networking backplanes, telecom linecards, and similar assemblies. Underlying settings, such as the illuminating projection system, are typically optimized by default for inspecting surface-mount components and are sub-optimal for other parts. This may be discovered only after production has begun. Results can include lower than planned inspection yield with an increased rate of false NG results. Faced with the prospect of stopping inspection to reload the board data, the production team may be inclined to continue production and accept the burden of rechecking larger numbers of incorrectly rejected boards.

Yamaha’s new software update now breaks past these widely accepted limitations, making the YRi-V one of the first 3D AOI systems in the market to deliver such flexibility. Users can now prepare and upload new programs to the YRi-V, working offline while inspection continues uninterrupted at the line rate. The new program can be uploaded as soon as it is ready and replaces the old routine as the next board enters, letting production continue without stopping.

The latest software update is available free of charge for all Yamaha YRi-V users. The update is also compatible with older Yamaha YSi-V systems already in service.