Assembly plan on the image
Augmented reality: assembly plan and component orientation lie directly on the image; value, part number and assembly note appear in a tooltip.
Why first article inspection takes time ..
Before a batch is released, the first assembled PCB has to be inspected in full against the customer data. Three hurdles make this laborious.
Inspection with the four-eyes principle
One person searches for the component on the PCB, the other leafs through the documents – often for hours, while the line waits for approval.
Components without marking
For many components, only a measurement shows whether they really have the specified value – with several hundred components, this delays approval.
Proof for customers and audits
Handwritten inspection reports are incomplete. At the next customer audit at the latest, there is no proof that every component was inspected.
How to inspect the first article with EFA SmartSuite ..
The high-resolution full image of the first PCB is checked against the customer data – everything you need is shown directly in the image.
All components of a part number
At a glance and assessed with one click – the effort depends on the part numbers, not on the number of components.
Guided and documented
The guided process makes sure that no component is forgotten – and every inspection is documented.
LCR measurement integrated
Measured values are transferred directly and checked automatically – every measured value documented, inspection report included.
Inspected automatically by EFA AOI with AI
Even at the first check of a new assembly, EFA AOI inspects automatically – with everything the global AOI database already knows:
- PresenceMissing components are detected automatically.
- OrientationPolarity, offset and rotation are checked automatically.
- MarkingComponent markings are read and checked by OCR – EFA keeps learning.
- Colour bandsThe colour bands of resistors are checked automatically.
Set up in a few minutes. Part numbers set up once apply immediately to every new assembly. More about EFA AOI with AI →
From CAM data to the inspected first article ..
Your customer's CAM data and an image of the PCB become an inspection – without retyping and without searching on the PCB.
1
Take over CAM data
EFA CAMverse
The CAM data becomes a fully set-up EFA project: BoM, coordinates and assembly drawings of both sides – without manual work.
2
Capture the PCB
EFA Picture with EFA Capture & EFA Stitch
The imaging system creates a microscopic full image and hands it over directly – in inline operation even automatically.
3
Inspect
EFA SmartSuite
The assembly drawing lies on the image, identical components are assessed together – quickly and reliably.
Frequently asked questions about first article inspection ..
What is a first article inspection?
Before a batch is released, the first assembled PCB is inspected in full against the customer data: is every component in the right place, in the right orientation and with the right value? An error overlooked here is repeated on every PCB of the batch.
How much time does guided inspection save?
One user reports up to 80 % less time spent on revisions and first article inspections – you can read his statement further down.
Which data is the PCB checked against?
Against your customer's data – BoM, coordinates and assembly plan. If CAM data is available, EFA CAMverse turns it into a fully set-up EFA project, without manual work.
Does it work for THT and small batches, too?
Yes. EFA Picture captures SMT and THT assemblies, and inspection starts at batch size 1 – ready for use in a few minutes without programming.
What our customers say ..
With this system, the time spent on revisions and first article inspections has demonstrably been reduced by up to 80 %. As a result, production has not only gained valuable production time, but also safeguards product quality through a fixed, predefined process.
This guided inspection gives us the certainty that the inspector has looked at and assessed every component. No element can be forgotten.
With EFA, we achieve SMT line releases much faster.
There are virtually no more complaints.
From practice: Evaluating a first article inspection system · A breath of fresh air for first article inspection · First article inspection – more than just optical inspection
Related topics ..
After a restart or reel changeSetup checkInspect in full or in reduced form, with a golden board – traceable down to the feeder
Pre-reflow AOIInspection before solderingFind placement errors before they are soldered – correction directly on the conveyor
All inspection methods at a glance: Production & inspection →
Talk to us ..
Do you have any questions? We will be happy to advise you – by phone, online or in person.
LEBERT Software Engineering
Maybachstr. 15, 63456 Hanau, Germany
+49 6181 96942-0
info@lse.cc
Maybachstr. 15, 63456 Hanau, Germany
+49 6181 96942-0
info@lse.cc
Mon–Thu09:00–17:00
Fri08:00–16:00
Sat10:00–12:00