Three dimensional automated visual inspection of surface mounted devices

Surface Mounted Technology (SMT) has created a demand for machine vision systems that can reliably verify component placement for screening inspection and process improvement. This paper describes a new 3-D computer vision system being developed at the Center for Electronics Manufacturing (GEM) of The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) for the inspection of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). A small range finder, utilizing a laser-based triangulation measurement method, is being employed for the development of an effective high resolution 3-D SMT inspection system. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.