TEST & QUALITY ASSURANCE
TEST & QUALITY ASSURANCE » Product UpdatesTrue 3D measurement-based inspection and metrology solutionsManufacturer reaches sales milestoneSource: Koh YoungA ceremony recognizing the achievement was held at thecustomer site and was attended by members of both companiesKoh Young has observed a milestone in the installationof its inspection systems, having installed its24,000 th unit at a customer manufacturing facility inThailand. The facility is operated by Fabrinet Chonburi,a provider of advanced manufacturing servicesthat specializes in complex optical, electro-optical,and electronic products.The customer is known for working behind thescenes with major technology companies, producingadvanced components in areas like networking andphotonics. The installed inspection system, a Meister Ssolder paste inspection (SPI) solution, was part of amulti-machine shipment delivered during the firstquarter of this year. A ceremony recognizing theachievement was held at the customer site and wasattended by members of both companies. The cus-tomer now operates over thirty SPI and automatedoptical inspection (AOI) systems provided by themanufacturer, and nearly 100 of its systems are inoperation in Thailand, the US, the UK, and Israel.These figures underscore a broader commitment to afocus on quality and process control.Designed for high-density, high-precision manufacturing,the Meister S helps identify common printingdefects such as insufficient solder volume or misalignmentbefore they impact production. As productcomplexity increases, accurate and reliable inspectionbecomes more important. The Meister S deliversthe performance needed to meet tight tolerancesand customer expectations.Kwanchai Sa-Ardiam, Senior Engineering Manager atthe customer facility, emphasized: “We rely on inspectionto maintain quality and drive productivity.Our products, including automotive, server boards,fiber optic engines, and high-end computing, requireprecision [and our relationship with the manufacturer]has helped us reduce defects and improvethroughput in a highly competitive environment.”Prior to the installation, Fabrinet had experiencedchallenges with inconsistent solder paste applicationand false calls in AOI. Commenting on the installationprocess, Sa-Ardiam added: “Our teams adaptedquickly, thanks to clear instruction and hands-oncoaching. The experience has been smooth, well-supported,and highly effective from start to finish.”www.kohyoung.comDelivering the highest-quality PCB prototypesEnhanced AI-powered inspectionFlashPCB has enhanced its precision and efficiencyby investing in the Pemtron Athena3D Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)system. This strategic acquisition enhancesthe company’s AI-powered approach toPCB fabrication, ensuring superior qualityand reliability for its customers.The Athena 3D AOI system brings cuttingedgeAI-driven capabilities to the inspectionprocess, including automatic judgment,automatic teaching, and OpticalCharacter Recognition (OCR) functionality.These features streamline defect detectionand improve production efficiency.Equipped with 12-way projection tech-nology, the system minimizes shadow-inducederrors and delivers precise 3Dmeasurements. Its high-resolution options—10,15, or 18 μm—combined withan optional 12 MP camera and a threestageconveyor system, provide unmatchedaccuracy in inspecting complexPCB designs. These advanced capabilitieshelp to provide rapid, high-quality PCBprototyping solutions.“We are excited to integrate the 3D AOI intoour inspection process,” commented ThomasCastner, CEO at FlashPCB. “This advancedsystem enables us to achieve newlevels of precision and efficiency, while de-Cutting-edge AI-driven capabilities in the inspectionprocess include automatic judgment andteachinglivering the highest-quality PCB prototypesto our customers with speed and reliability.”www.flashpcb.comSource: FlashPCB42 EPP Europe » 05 | 2025
SPECIAL» AI-powered inspectionthat thinks ahead» Enhancing qualityassuranceSubtle visual cues can be missed byoperators, but AI-based verificationtackles this by using deep learningin the verification process.» Why AI-basedverification stands outBy minimizing human error, vAlbasedverification enhances quality,reduces costs, and cuts downon waste, supporting a more streamlinedand sustainable productionprocess.Source: Viscom» NPI: Automatedinspection plan with AIWhen CAD and BOM data areincomplete, AI autonomouslyidentifies components, assignspatterns, and configures tests,ideal for prototypes or high-mixproduction, minimizing manualplanning.As challenges in electronics production evolve, we remain at the forefront, delivering innovative AI solutionsfor the industry’s futureEPP Europe » 05 | 2025 43
