Product category: Electronics Manufacturing Machinery and Materials
News Release from: Metcal | Subject: VPI-1000-XL
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 1 September 2003
Optical inspection system
takes on larger boards
A new highly versatile and flexible optical inspection system can be used on large boards measuring up to 914 x 914mm
xA new highly versatile and flexible optical inspection system can be used on large boards measuring up to 914 x 914mm. The VPI-1000-XL optical inspection system is the latest addition to Metcal's innovative range of high quality optical inspection systems, which is redefining the way electronics assemblers inspect array packages and SMT devices.
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 1 September 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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The VPI-1000-XL optical inspection system is an optimised solution to meet all inspection requirements on larger boards, which are becoming increasingly common in applications such as mobile base stations, data communications and network servers.
It features four adjustable supports to hold round, rectangular, square or L-shaped PCBs, and has an articulating arm capable of spanning up to 610mm, allowing it to cover the entire area of a 914 x 914mm board, without requiring a lens change.
Metcal's NovaScope lens design is capable of moving through 90 degrees left/right and 20 degrees up/down, so operators can inspect under array packages with standoff heights as low as 0.05mm and clearances of just 1.1mm between components.
The NovaScope optical design is sharper and clearer using two-thirds fewer optical elements to send a direct image to Metcal's high resolution CCD camera, rather than a "shadowy" relayed image typical of last generation vision systems.
The NovaScope integrated optical design is a radical departure that moves beyond typical endoscopic systems and gradient lenses.
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While conventional designs relay an internal image repeated throughout the length of the endoscope, an approach requiring multiple sets of complex optical elements to perform the task, NovaScope has only one image: the image in front of the eyepiece.
In operation, the VPI-1000-XL optical inspection system floods the underside of a component with bright white metal halide light that replicates natural daylight, enhances the colour rendering, and produces sharp and clear images on the system's colour LCD monitor.
The NovaScope is able to look underneath array packages to inspect each ball and its top and bottom connections.
With a quick turn of the lens adjustment ring, operators can move through the entire underside of the device to check for defects such as bridging, cold solder joints, open circuits, excess flux, contamination and other process-related failures.
The unit can also be used for inspecting all types of SMT devices and any other board feature without changing lenses.
This means that no changeovers are required to inspect all aspects of a board including wire bonds, through-holes, J-legs, gull wings, leaded heel fillets, solder paste and adhesive deposits making the entire process simpler, faster and less expensive than competing systems.
Apertures on stencils can also be inspected with ease.
A powerful software tool completes the package, allowing users to measure, record, annotate, analyse and communicate component information.
Images are displayed in real-time for a quick and easy visual inspection of the soldering process, and they can be captured and stored for future reference or reports.
Documents can also be emailed or archived for use in training, research and development, or quality insurance.
The unique combination of a large board capability, 610mm span articulating arm, high-quality NovaScope imaging system and user-friendly software make the VPI-1000-XL optical inspection system the most flexible and versatile optical inspection unit on the market for PCBs measuring up to 914 x 914mm.
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