Faults in soldered assemblies aren’t always easy to see. In fact, they are usually very difficult to detect, particularly if they take the form of small cracks or voids. Not being able to see these faults during the production of critical components can lead to serious field failure in a part that tested “good” at manufacture and not being able to see the problem at failure analysis can mean that the same error gets repeated.
Using X-Ray analysis is one of the few ways to look for this type of failure without destroying the sample in the process. X-Ray systems do, of course, come in many different forms and, inevitably, to see the smallest defects you need to get the highest resolution possible at a power high enough to see into the sample.
The Quadra range of X-Ray systems offers resolution to 100nm at up to 10W and then a resolution of 350nm up to 20W. That’s enough power to see through just about any electronic assembly but with the resolution to see features down to 100nm in size.
This resolution, at high power, is possible because of the Nordson DAGE UK designed and manufactured tube and flat panel detector. The QuadraNT tube uses solid state beam steering technology and a transmissive target to keep the X-Ray source size as small as possible and as close to the tube output as possible to maximise sample magnification, whilst the new Aspire flat panel detector has a 7 Mpixel, 50 micron, shielded sensor which gives a full one to one resolution to a 4K monitor.
Of course it is not always possible to see everything that you want to if the board that you are looking at has components on both sides. The X-Plane, CERA and VG software lets you create software slices through your sample for viewing at any level from the top of the top component on the board to the bottom of the bottom one. You can also then reconstruct the slices into a full 3D image of the sample.
Additional hardware can also be attached to enable specialist investigations such as video monitoring solder whilst it flows and solidifies under controlled thermal conditions.
The best way to see all of this is to visit the manufacturing facility in Aylesbury and have some of your own boards or samples inspected.
If you would like to arrange for a demonstration or to have someone visit you to discuss a particular application, please contact us through our web site or call on 01962 832654.
Cupio has represented the Nordson range of AOI product in Europe for more than ten years and has recently taken on the UK representation of the rest of the Nordson Test and Inspection Group’s products including the Dage and Matrix ranges of stand-alone and in-line X-Ray equipment. Cupio provides support, installation and training on all of our product ranges. Please visit our web site for a full list of our products.
