The MPM Accela printer's SpeedVision inspection method is said to dramatically increase the performance of the patented texture-based inspection methods used in the BridgeVision and StencilVision inspection options released at launch of the machine last year.

Assemblers producing dense, Pb-free and ultra-fine-pitch assemblies have experienced a greater demand for documentation of the quality performance in the process line. The cellular, automotive, medical, computer and military market segments have presented the stongest body of requirements for documentation. A growing percentage of manufacturers have adopted optical inspection technologies that are either printer- or AOI system-based. This often means choosing between a more cost-effective, statistically sound sampling technique or investing the capital costs to acquire in-line systems to meet this requirement.

The new method combines software and hardware solutions. By using the texture-based algorithms plus three new patent-pending innovations, the SpeedVision inspection improves the machine's 2-D inspection performance capabilities. The tool gathers and analyzes data on the freshly printed substrate, and reports these data to SPC at line speed.

SpeedVision works by altering the acquisition method of the paste image during inspection of either the board or stencil in three ways:

• It fully uses the operating field-of-view of the printer's digital camera during image acquisition. This results in a much larger amount of data collected per image captured, reducing the number of times per board that the camera cycles.

• It changes the way the captured images are managed by moving from device-based (inspecting one device at a time) to area-based data compilation and computation. This permits the motion of the camera gantry to shift from acquiring specific device information to a new linear motion path and patent-pending method of triggering the camera cycle during image acquisition, which in turn permits optimal motion on complex or dense assemblies.

• Mechanical changes provide improved lighting, and faster (patent-pending "on the fly" motion) equipment operation during image acquisition.

These changes result in an increase in both speed and capability of the 2-D options. Combined with the parallel processing of the print and overhead operations, the result is an order of magnitude increase in the amount of inspection that can be accomplished within the printer. For many applications, this will mean the opportunity to do 100% 2-D and bridge inspection without having to purchase an in-line AOI system or accept a decrease in throughput.

Existing Accela customers can upgrade their machines to this new capability. Customers buying new machines that select the 2-D (contrast and texture based) options will receive it as a direct replacement for each of the options offered previously. A separate patent-pending option will enable simultaneous inspection of both the substrate and stencil. All these options include the new method of reporting to the SPC database and take advantage of the defect prevention capability offered in the Accela. The options will be integrated into Speedline's Benchmark software, with the same GUI, wizards and support tools.

The machine is available from Speedline Technologies, speedlinetech.com.