10/30/2020

Delta's Screen Printing Inspection Solution Facilitates Inspection Processes for MLCC Production

Consumers are always seeking higher product quality and smaller sizes for the 3C devices that are revolutionizing our daily lives. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are indispensable for making 3C products (computers, communication devices, consumer electronic devices), and more. Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) are passive components commonly used on PCBs, that are crucial for high voltage, high temperature applications with limited PCB space.

The conductive layer of the MLCC is laminated from multiple layers of ceramic films printed with solder or silver paste. Conventional manual printing often results in a great many defective workpieces and visual inspection can no longer satisfy the increasing requirements for high precision and high speed.

To enhance screen-printing precision and quality, Delta recently provided an automated and highly efficient screen printing inspection solution for an MLCC manufacturer in Suzhou, China. The manufacturer's screen-printing machines caused ragged edges or white dots on the printed patterns, or abnormal printing results of electrode positioning points due to long-term use. In addition, the manufacturer needed to implement 1st-piece inspection before mass production, where the 1st printed and slit ceramic film is inspected under a microscope before mass production, which can be time-consuming.

Delta has developed screen-printing inspection modules with its extensive experience in highly precise inspection. The modules execute automated multi-axis control by using Delta's self-designed DIAVision VGR Vision Software (for Robots and Motion) and motion controllers connecting via EtherCAT. The DIAVision VGR can achieve fast inspection speeds of up to 1,440 pieces per hour with efficient defect counting and precise size measurement.

The customer has benefited from Delta's Screen Printing Inspection Solution in the following aspects.

Monitoring printing quality in real time
Delta's screen printing inspection modules can be used for fully automated inspection for continuous production. Defective workpieces inspected are marked and sorted out after the ceramic film roll is completely printed and slit.

Fast inspection
The screen-printing inspection solution achieves up to 1,440 pieces per hour through stable operation. It also supports 1st-piece inspection to enhance productivity and production efficiency, saving production time.

Inspecting multiple screen-printing processes
The inspection solution ensures in-process workpiece quality through material and process inspection of ceramic film, printed electrode positioning points, deformation of printed electrode patterns, and more.

High yield rates
The automated screen-printing inspection not only saves labor but also enhances production efficiency and increases productivity.

Delta's screen printing inspection modules can be installed for different manufacturing processes or on workstations for diverse defect inspection. The solution and modules enable stable operation and excellent inspection that went beyond the MLCC manufacturer's expectations. The modules can be applied to roll-to-roll printing as well, optimizing manufacturing processes and improving production efficiency.

News Source:IABG MKT Dept.