Susan,
 
Experts, ~laughing~ most would certainly disagree!!!
 
On a very low tech 2-sided board, would performing an AOI inspection be worthwhile and/or cost effective? As a rule, 2-sided boards are not subjected to AOI at this board shop.

You mention that this equipment (AOI & LPI) is new to them, could these errors be the result of their becoming familiar with the equipment and/or process? Thos dimensions don't seem that difficult to verify. Has Camtek gotten involved? Perhaps in time they will be able to accurately verify pad dimensions, especially with that wide of tolerance, as well as provide a quality solder mask.

I don't believe your expectations are unrealistic; however, are they expectations that you really must have met at this time?

You've been receiving these boards for 8 years, the board shop has been making them for 8 years, what has the quality of the boards been like over that period? Is there a need for improvement? What benefit would an AO inspeciton have over visual (10X) and electrical testing (even comparison)? LPI is excellent for tight tolerance, clearance, etc, but UV or thermal is still a good choice for wide tolerance/clearance boards (i.e. 8 year old boards).

I'm certainly not siding with the board shop (coming from a fabricator, makes you wonder hmmmm) but these are some of the questions I would ask myself, or ask of a customer in this type situation.

I believe that both the supplier and the customer should partner such technological enhancements. One dictating to another especially without an even exchange of communication and information can only lead all of us astray.

So, did this help? I hope so.

I'd be interested in hearing how this situation evolves.

Regards,

Franklin D Asbell, CQA
Network Circuits, Inc.
Irving, Texas

 

 

 

They have been supplying these boards for us for about 8 years.  Recently they bought AOI and LPI equipment and we would like to see our boards put on this equipment.  We do a lot of business with this company, also.  The board house fabs to IPC Class 2 specs.    I admit to a definite non-guru status and need some advise.  Are our expectations unrealistic?  I hope I've given you enough info for reply.  Thanks for your help!

Sue James
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