Scott,
We bought an Horizon 01 and after five months of 24hrs/7days a week
operation I must say we are very satisfied with it. Our machine is
equipped with the 2D Inspection option and I sometimes use it for Fine
Pitch component in order to better control SMT defects like solder
bridges. So, I catch them up-front with the machine and act upon it
rather than seeing them through the microscope (not always accurate
since operator dependent) or worst at the end of the line. It saves me
also to go on our solder paste height inspection machine as the 2D
inspects solder paste volume too.

I found that the machine was giving false calls once in a while. In
other words, the inspection for bridges and offset gives red alarm that
I sometimes waive during production because they are acceptable (not
real defects). In these cases, I rather use the 2D as a preventive
method. I can disable it too when once the process is in control or the
issue go away. What I like also is that it inspects the stencil
underneath so you know in advance how to set-up the stencil clean rate
(once per 5 or 10 boards). This 2D inspects doesn't impact much our
cycle time (based on our portefolio it takes few extra seconds to
complete the inspection).

Here are my answers to your questions: 
1.  If the solder mask color varies slightly from batch to batch does it
affect the program? Did not find any issues with this even if we use
many boards from different suppliers.

2.  With a scale of 1-10 how difficult would you say it was to program
for solder paste inspection? 10 being difficult, I would say a 5. It's
easy to program (almost fun). But I find the QFP to be difficult to
teach and program as the camera doesn't always find all 4 rows/columns

3.  Over all what is your opinion on the ease of operation? User
friendly. With the new Interactiv interface it should be even better...

4.  Any other opinions or observations would be greatly appreciated. See
above.

For now on, I found that having the 2D Inspection feature on our DEK is
a cost reduction approach to buying a full on-line SPI machine...

Regards,
Eric 

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Scott Lefebvre
Sent: 15 octobre 2007 11:42
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Stencil Printers 2D Paste Inspection

I'm looking into purchasing a new stencil printer with 2D solder paste
inspection.  I understand it is no comparison to an AOI system.  I'm
mostly concerned with alignment and absence of solder paste.

I am simply stuck between Dek Horizon 3i and MPM Accuflex.  I need a
users perspective on how well they feel the software performs.

1.  If the solder mask color varies slightly from batch to batch does it
affect the program?

2.  With a scale of 1-10 how difficult would you say it was to program
for solder paste inspection?

3.  Over all what is your opinion on the ease of operation?

4.  Any other opinions or observations would be greatly appreciated.

Scott

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