Steve,

We make these fixtures for  quite a few customers and there are two types.
One is a simple aperture opening type that lays over  a board. The advantage
to these is you can engrave instructions, polarity, pin one, and the like to
aid detection of errors. You can also have different one for different
configurations and detect if a component  is missing. Some even have pins to
detect if screw are in place or not.

A second type is more sophisticated and adds cavaties. If a component is on
the board that is not supposed to there the template will not fit. This can
also detect component alignment problems.

It has been our experience that these aids are best in mid to high volume
environments where eye fatigue sheer volume hinders visual inspection, or in
cases where it is low volume but many different configurations to inspect
for.

In some cases customers have made inexpensive Mylar overlays with  makes to
do some of these tasks. These tend to work best in a proto environment where
there are frequent  changes.

The theme for all these fixtures is to try and make detection of mistakes
more error proof. When you use these fixtures it is easier to bring new
people up to speed or to cross train employees  since you have made at least
some of the inspection less intricate. Many companies use these tools to
have assemblers  help QC during peak volumes.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Thomas" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2002 10:32 AM
Subject: [TN] laser cut inspection templates


Greetings, and happy Friday...

Can anyone comment on these for manual post-reflow inspection?  Do they net
you an increase in defects found at that inspection point and a
corresponding increase in FPY?

We're looking for methods to reduce the number of random defects that get
picked up at pcb test on some large (17" x 20") panels that are a real
challenge for inspectors, and AOI is out of the question.   Thanks a bunch.


Steve Thomas
Automation Process Engineer
Mackie Designs, Inc.
Ph# (425)806-6365
email: [log in to unmask]

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