Out of sight

Two of the most common uses of machine vision are traceability and visual inspection of solder joints — both tasks that have benefited from recently-introduced technology.

German electronic circuit board (ECB) producer

uses a network of 42 In-Sight 1010 vision sensors from

, which were integrated into its Burbach production line to make the process smoother and more efficient.

At this fully-automated plant the production of ECBs is structured so that small quantities can be handled with extreme flexibility, and large-scale series can be processed at high throughput speeds. Zero tolerance for defects is top priority. Quality and efficient automation are the defining factors, with traceability and documentation from cradle-to-grave — by means of various codes on the components and circuit boards — vital in giving the company a competitive edge in a tough global market.

'On one hand, we must be competitive in the consumer-markets of low-cost products, the so called China-markets,' said EbV's Burbach managing director Andreas Fries. 'On the other we must meet and fulfil the highest quality demands. And all this is topped with the customer's requirement for individual and distinctive flexibility in very short reaction times. Even a small fault in production could trigger a stop on the line and this we must avoid at all costs'.