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Express Manufacturing, Inc. (EMI) Elevates Quality and Throughput with PEMTRON ATHENA 3D AOI Investment

Mar 30, 2026

Express Manufacturing, Inc. (EMI), a global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider, has expanded its inspection capabilities with the addition of the ATHENA 3D AOI system from PEMTRON. The investment is focused on improving product quality, accelerating throughput, and delivering more consistent results for customers.

The ATHENA platform introduces AI-based inspection features including automatic judgment, auto-teaching, and optical character recognition (OCR), reducing setup time and minimizing operator dependency. This allows EMI to move more efficiently from new product introduction into production while maintaining consistent inspection standards.

For customers, this translates into faster ramp times, fewer defects, and greater confidence in product quality across builds.

ATHENA’s 12-way projection design reduces shadowing and supports highly accurate 3D measurement, while simultaneous 2D and 3D inspection enables detailed analysis at resolutions down to 10 microns. These capabilities improve defect detection across increasingly complex assemblies, helping prevent issues before they move further into production.

“The addition of ATHENA is about delivering better outcomes for our customers,” said Jason Chin, Principal at Express Manufacturing, Inc. “It allows us to catch issues earlier, improve consistency, and keep production moving efficiently—especially on complex builds where precision matters most.”

The system is also designed for high-throughput environments, with an optional 12MP camera and three-stage conveyor that support faster inspection speeds without compromising accuracy. This enables EMI to maintain tight quality control while meeting demanding production schedules.

With facilities in the United States, China, and Vietnam, EMI supports customers across a wide range of industries, including military, aerospace, green energy, gaming, aviation, medical, oil and gas, telecommunications, high-end computing, industrial controls, and test and measurement. The addition of ATHENA further strengthens EMI’s ability to deliver reliable, high-quality products at scale.

“Our customers rely on us for consistency and responsiveness,” added Chin. “This investment helps us do both—improving quality while keeping pace with their timelines.”

For more information about Express Manufacturing, Inc. (EMI), email info@eminc.com or visit www.eminc.com.


Founded in 1982, Express Manufacturing, Inc. (EMI) is a global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider specializing in high-mix, medium-to-high volume PCB assembly and system integration. With operations in the United States and Asia, EMI supports customers from new product introduction through full production with disciplined program management and supply chain expertise.

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