Steve,
We've been using AOI in a similar environment for about 18 months. While
there is a somewhat constant 'tweaking' effort adjusting for part and
vendor changes, we still have found it more efficient than simply doing
visual inspection. Stepping through and adjusting for false calls and
changes is still significantly faster than visual inspection as well as
being more consistent. Yes, process control is the obvious way to go,
but stuff happens <g>. We've seen a significant decrease in customer
return rates since putting it in place. With the data collection, it
also allows us to pinpoint specific problem areas and address them on
the line, thus improving overall yield.
That said, it did not allow us to eliminate an inspector. For one thing,
you need someone to run the machine and maintain programs. There's also
the defect classes that aren't readily detectable in AOI. Solder
inspection is still a very 'iffy' area in my opinion. Despite
manufacturer's claims, I haven't seen any solder inspection that's
really effective. I know there are some vector based systems that
supposedly increase the ability to define and inspect solder joints but
there are so many areas that are difficult or impossible to view
adequately that solder inspection with the AOI systems I've seen is a
hit or miss proposition. What we have found is that certain types of
solder inspection is useful for verifying product. The main thing is
that it has allowed our inspectors to concentrate on the areas that
aren't inspectable with AOI, like through-hole parts, connectors, etc.
Regards,
Rick Thompson
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 7:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] AOI Stuff again...
Hi all!
Bringing up the topic of AOI again. Read the Glenn Woodhouse summary
(which I think was GREAT by the way) that Daan reposted about the state
of the technology, had a fellow engineer that I work with attend a
session at APEX about AOI, and it seems that things may have become a
bit cheaper, but as far as using AOI for solder joint evaluation,
there's still much to be desired...
The situation here is that there is some pressure from those above to
get a system in here that will be a fool-proof method to put a piece of
equipment in place that will eliminate the need for human inspection.
My take on it is that one focuses on making sure that the process is
right from the beginning, and then you don't need to spend a bunch of
money on automated inspection equipment, or depend on humans to inspect
each and every solder joint.
The reason I say that is because we are a low volume, high part number
shop. We may have ongoing business for years, but it maybe 10 assemblies
a month...what we consider high volume is a run of 250 assemblies per
work order...hehehe.
I just have the opinion that spending the big bucks for the AOI
equipment doesn't make a whole lot of sense in our situation...we'll be
tweeking programs during the run and probably won't have all the false
calls, or missed defects ironed-out by the time the work order is
built...then a month or two later on the same assembly, you go through
the same drill again...
Any thoughts on this?
-Steve Gregory-
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