Yes, some contract assemblers (I know of at least two) can do automated
checks on the supplied data. They take the assembly gerber
drawing/silkscreen gerber drawing, BOM and centroid data and they can
"check" certain things such as whether the footprint is suitable for the
part number specified in the BOM and centroid data, and whether it's a
polarised component so is there something that looks like a marker near by,
and to some extent the rotation but this check is "fuzzy".
The assemblers I know that do this have built up a database themselves of
part numbers, correct footprint, and relevant information, largly from
supplied customer data. It is not foolproof though, and should be a
guideline only for possible problems.
Their marketing claims for these checks are written with a lot of
"marketing speak" and push the boundaries of reality a little!
Regards,
James

James Head BEng MIET CID+

James Head PCB Design and Engineering
11 Charmind Walk,Winterbourne Road, SWINDON, SN25 1QA
Telephone: 01793 266237
Mobile: 07870 945579
Skype: headjames
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Website: www.jameshead.co.uk

On 20 December 2017 at 22:10, Bob Wettermann <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Heh All:
>
> One of our customers recently had a small quantity build where he was told
> by the proto CM that the following was done via SW prior to a build
> happening…..
>
> Part rotation check (Find this hard to believe as diodes and LEDs are
> pretty much a source of numerous errors)
>
> Package to footprint fit check (I find this one really hard to believe as
> there are some variations on this theme)
>
> Part spacing is accurate and within minimum electrical clearance (I find
> this hard to believe as most people involved in procuring final assemblies
> do not know what the operating voltages on the board)
>
> Polarity markings that are missing (Same disbelief as above for part
> rotation)
>
> The BOM number of placements matches XY data (I can believe this for the
> total number of placements)
>
> Ours checks for proto assembly include BOM-to-CAD compares, i.e., are all
> of the parts on the BOM included in the CAD file, no dupes  and vice-versa
> (that is CAD to BOM.)
>
> Is there a commercial tool that can do the items listed above that help
> assemblers that I am just not aware of?
>
> Regards and HNY
> --
> Bob Wettermann
> [log in to unmask]
> Cell: 847-767-5745
>