Microscopes and Visual Inspection
For over 60 years our vendor/partners have revolutionized microscopes. Superb image quality and comfortable working positions are not luxury features – they are key to increased productivity and quality. Vision Engineering manufactures ergonomic stereo microscopes and non-contact measuring systems designed to give the user comfort when inspecting, reworking and measuring.
Patented ergonomic technology and quality optics gives users clarity and strain-free viewing, necessary when precision and accuracy are paramount.
INTRODUCTION OF AFFORDABLE DIGITAL MICROSCOPES IS TRANSFORMING PRODUCTION PRACTICES ACROSS A HOST OF INDUSTRY
Microscopes are required across many aspects of industry for inspection purposes. Products coming off electronic, agricultural, medical and automotive production lines need to be carefully scrutinised. Passports need to be manually looked at, PCB and IC’s need to be checked for integrity. And while machine vision can automate the rapid inspection of an ever-expanding spectrum of products, many aspects of this process, the majority in fact, still rely on a look-see from a real human. Until very recently this meant an operative in, say, an electronics
assembly line, looking through an analogue, optic microscope and making a visual judgement on the integrity of the product. This remains the way in which 90% of inspection requiring medium magnification is carried out in the world today because it is affordable and reliable. Operators hunched over into stressful positions, squinting into little holes. This results, inevitably in bad posture and reduced productivity. The other end of the magnified inspection market involves Advanced Optic Inspection (AOI) machines. These are excellent digital
systems in use on automotive production lines and PCB inspections. They capture a magnified image and display that on a screen for indexed inspection and analysis. The one drawback is that AOIs typically cost upwards of 100,000 and are not viable for the majority of industrial inspection solutions in which a trained human may suffice.
ADVANTAGES OVER TRADITIONAL OCULAR MICROSCOPES
Less tiring than looking under binocular based cameras / ocular microscopes
Longer working distances no risk of board contact. Crucial for efficient assembly, reparation and rework
Auto focus optics ‘frees up’ the hands and allows quick inspection of objects at different heights and magnifications
Larger depth of field for easier and quicker work
Powerful optical zoom 1x to 30x produces “large field” to “high magnification” images
Remote control of magnification, focus, brightness, etc
COMPARED TO A STEREO MICROSCOPE
AREAS OF USE
Ergonomic Inspection
Large Working Distance
Large Depth of Focus
Large Field Of View
EVO Cam ll
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
STEREO MICROSCOPE
Poor
Good
Good
Good