PCB (printed circuit board) inspection is a critical process for electronic products. If this is done right then, it can lead to great business success for both manufacturers and customers. Many companies are willing to pay a qualified professional to do this inspection as they can catch even the smallest errors that can cost the company thousands of dollars. Here is a short description of how this type of inspection is done.
Manual PCB Inspection
As the title suggests, manual PCB inspection involves manual individuals examining individually printed circuit boards or small assemblies to examine them for potential issues. The key to doing this successfully is the human eye. One does not need a lot of equipment to do this; thus, it is cheaper than most automated techniques. It is important not to get overly involved in what you are looking at. If there is something in your equipment that is not normal, focus on that area so that when you look at the final inspection report, you can spot the problem.
As you look over each PCB inspection piece, think about each point that you have observed. Do not jump to conclusions. If you notice something out of the ordinary, write it down in detail. Do not leave anything to chance, as that could lead to costly mistakes. Make notes so that you are ready to deal with it when the next stage of the inspection comes along.
PCB Inspection Techniques
Scrutinizing the Assembly
This involves carefully looking over all of the parts and determining if anything looks out of place.
Careful Observation
Another way to detect irregularity is to make careful observations of the assemble. You will want to pay attention to anything that seems out of place. If the PCB assembly displays any sign of damage or rust, it may be an indication that the PCB was exposed to a moisture condition. If the boards seem to be bent, it is an indicator that there was insufficient bending pressure during manufacturing.
A Common Fault
When a company produces high-volume production PCBs, they often encounter several problems that require PCB inspection techniques. Some of these common problems include: chipping – when a large amount of plastic is printed on a PCB, small cracks can appear along the exposed edges. This can occur due to heat during the manufacturing process or the flow of solvents during the printing process.
With all of these potential issues, you must contract with a professional, automated optical inspection firm to perform an inspection on your equipment at least twice per year. The reason for this is because of the very high frequency of manufacturing that occurs today. These inspections are crucial to the production process itself and help make sure that you are producing high-quality products.
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