ACDi’s North Carolina Manufacturing Plant Installs New Koh Young 3D SPI and AOI Equipment

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ACDi, a leading electronics manufacturing services provider, announces the most recent capital investment in printed circuit board inspection technology and equipment at their Nashville, North Carolina factory. Final equipment installation and training was recently completed incorporating 3D imaging technology at its Nashville facility with the addition of Koh Young KY8030-3 3D Solder Paste Inspection and Koh Young Zenith Alpha HS 3D Automated Optical Inspection Systems.

Electronics manufacturing industry standards estimate approximately 70% of surface mount technology (SMT) process-related defects originate from the solder paste printing process. Though most all SMT screen printing systems at a minimum incorporate 2D AQL selective inspection capability, having newly installed 3D solder paste inspection (SPI) verifies not only area (L/W) coverage of paste, but also analyzes third dimension volumetric deposition of solder paste. Adding this capability as an inline standalone machine directly behind the printer reduces the screen printer cycle time while also enabling 100% 3D real time total board paste inspection, stopping the process and prompting immediate operator process engagement and equipment adjustment as necessary. Additionally, the KY 8030 SPI system is Industry 4.0 capable for direct machine-to-machine interface with the factory’s Juki G-Titan automated printing system.

Additionally, once 3D SPI process verification has been assured, populated circuit board post reflow 3D Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) capability now validates not only 2D component placement accuracy related to presence, X/Y alignment, orientation and character recognition, but also enables third dimension imaging to verify Z-height factors including coplanarity, lifted leads, discrete SMD head-in-pillow (HiP), bridging, and overall solder joint integrity (insufficient or excess).

ACDi selected Koh Young, not just because they are the leader in number of 3D SPI and AOI systems installed, but to also offer commonality of equipment manufacturers at both our Frederick MD Corporate and Nashville NC production facilities. Standardizing on equipment supports business continuity factors where transition between locations adds value, and also facilitates collaboration among production and engineering staff at both sites further encouraging achievement of one of ACDi’s Fundamental Pillars of Success, a Team Oriented Workforce!