As demand for manufacturing capacity grew, the existing assembled PCB inspection stage started to fall behind the technology levels of the production throughput. Accordingly, in 2010 the company updated their automated inspection process by purchasing a Nordson Yestech BX 12 automated optical inspection (AOI) machine, supplied and supported by Cupio. The BX 12 off-line benchtop AOI system allows for PCB inspection with exceptional defect coverage. The operators can inspect solder joints and verify correct part assembly to improve quality and increase throughput.
This new automated approach successfully resolved the company’s capacity issues; timely training and support from the supplier enabled them to fully utilize the AOI’s capabilities and eliminate the inspection bottleneck. Yet, as the business continued to expand, pressure once again started mounting on the inspection level. As previously, the AOI machine provided the solution; in May of this year delivery of a second BX 12 benchtop AOI machine occurred.
The supplier found the benchtop AOI systems to be a good fit for the company‘s production profile, and easy to integrate into their manufacturing process. With connections into the factory network, both machines can access Gerber files from the network servers and run at the same time.
Bela‘s operators could program the AOI systems fast and intuitively, typically taking less than 30 minutes to create a complete inspection program including solder inspection. Once generated, these programs can be used on either machine. The machines’ complete inspection coverage and extremely low false failure rate is enabled by advanced Fusion Lighting and 5-megapixel image processing technology. This integrates several techniques, including color inspection, normalized correlation, and rule-based algorithms.
“Bela continuously invests in new, high-technology plant and equipment to maintain a competitive advantage and ensure the highest of quality for our customers,” commented Mike Lafratta, Managing Director, “and, as part of that strategy, Cupio’s Yestech AOI machines have been providing a good solution. They enable the throughput we need, with some leeway, together with sufficient flexibility to check a wider range of products. Buying the second machine was a particularly easy decision, as we could capitalize on our operators’ existing software experience and training.
“We would attribute our AOI success to three core elements; the features of the machines themselves, our operators’ ease in programing them for new products, and the excellent response, service and communications we have enjoyed from Cupio.”
Zusammenfassung Résumé Резюме
Seit seiner Gründung hat Bela Electronic Designs ständig expandiert und eine hohe Anerkennung als EMS-Anbieter für die Design- und Fertigungsbranche erreicht. Nach einem Umsatzwachstum von 50 % in den letzten drei Jahren konnte das existierende Inspektionssystem den Anforderungen der steigenden Fertigungskapazitäten nicht mehr gerecht werden. Die Investition in ein AOI Tischgerät eliminierte den Produktionsengpass.
Depuis le début, Bela Electronic Designs s‘est continuellement développée et a obtenu une grande reconnaissance en tant que fournisseur EMS pour l‘industrie de la fabrication et design. Après une augmentation de 50 % des ventes au cours des trois dernières années, le système d‘inspection actuel ne pouvait plus répondre aux augmentations des demandes de production. L’investissement dans une unité d’AOI a éliminé le goulot d’étranglement de la production.
С момента своего основания компания Bela Electronic Designs постоянно расширялась и получила широкое признание как разработчик микроэлектронных схем для сферы проектирования и производства. За последние три года оборот компании вырос на 50 %, поэтому существующая система контроля качества продукции уже не могла отвечать требованиям постоянно возрастающих объемов производства. Инвестиция в настольную систему оптического контроля качества печатных плат (AOI) позволила устранить «узкое место» в производственной цепочке.
