I have to agree with Michael's comments. We've been evaluating systems for a month or so. There's a pretty wide range depending on what you're looking for. I'd say the first thing needed is to define your expectations. Are you looking for solder inspection, component inspection, both, etc.? What types of these problems do you want to find and on what type of component? Primarily surface mount, through-hole or both? Questions like these will give you a better feel for what to look at.
We've had extensive demos on a couple of systems to date. One from Orbotech, one from CR Technology. Based on our limited exposure so far, these are examples of equipment aimed at different markets. Orbotech is of the multi-camera, multi-angle variety. Appears to be very good at finding all types of solder defects, not so good if you want to identify wrong components. CR Technology on the other hand is a top-down camera only system. They do have 2 or three cameras, but they're only for different focusing objectives. However, they can identify wrong parts, allow for multiple part 'images' for a particular location, etc. However the solder inspection is limited compared to Orbotech. Because the cameras only look from the top, J-lead solder joints can't be checked. In our case, CR seems better suited for the faults we need to find as a small contract house dealing with alot of customer consigned material.
One other point to note is that the systems we've looked at so far are much better suited to inspecting surface mount rather than through-hole boards. The grayscale camera systems seem to have a tougher time distinguishing slight color variations on through-hole parts, radial parts are tough to inspect (especially from the top only), and through-hole solder joints vary alot depending on how the leads are cut & clinched.
Bottom line again is to know what you want to inspect for and be prepared to discover that most systems are better at some types of defects than others.
I'm hoping this thread generates some input from current users, as we intend to place a PO by April and I can sure use the feedback. If anybody has opinions on particular vendors, equipment, etc. that they'd rather not post here, please feel free to contact me off-line.
Rick Thompson Director of Engineering Ventura Electronics Assembly rthompson@venturaelectronics.com (805) 584-9858
reply »