ESS Manufacturing Adds Koh Young Zenith 3D Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) Capabilities
Addition marks continuation of significant capital investments and deployment of leading edge process and inspection technologies

MELBOURNE, FL, January 17, 2013: ESS Manufacturing Inc., a leading provider of electronic manufacturing services, announced the addition of Koh Young’s Zenith 3D Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) equipment to their technical operations and capabilities. The addition of this equipment further demonstrates ESS’s ongoing commitment to continuous process improvement and focus on quality.

AOI systems are an essential part of the circuit card (CCA) and flex circuit (FCA) assembly process, allowing electronic manufacturers to perform fast, repeatable, and accurate inspection. The addition of 3D measurement to the traditional 2D AOI system addresses the inherent inspection limitations to the traditional 2D AOI systems for potential defects such as open solder joints, lifted leads, and bridging. ESS Manufacturing is deploying the Koh Young Zenith platform which measures the true profilometric shape of components, solder joints, patterns, and potential foreign material.

ESS Manufacturing evaluated and measured the Koh Young 3D AOI equipment through significant performance evaluations and GR&R studies. “The Koh Young Zenith equipment met all technical specifications that were evaluated and outperformed our expectations”, said Larry Hinkle, Advanced Engineering Manager at ESS Manufacturing. “The 3D AOI capability improves inspection accuracy and eliminates escapes so that any production improvements can be implemented early in the manufacturing process much faster than ever before.”

John Kovach, President of ESS Manufacturing added “Our team is always focused on finding new ways to bring more robust quality to our customers. As circuit card assemblies have become more densely populated with smaller components, the limitations of 2D AOI have been brought to the forefront. Adding 3D AOI capability makes it possible for us to detect potential soldering defects quicker and more accurately than previous technologies allowed. We are pleased to add Koh Young’s Zenith equipment to our highly technical operations.”

ABOUT MACK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
ESS Manufacturing is a leading provider of complex electronic manufacturing services including printed circuit board assembly, electro-mechanical assembly, and complete system integration. ESS provides life-cycle management and manufacturing solutions for original equipment manufacturers in the defense and aerospace, medical device, industrial control, energy, and communications and networking industries. Headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario the company also operates facilities in Barrie, Ontario and Brampton, Ontario.

For further information, please visit http://www.essmanufacturing.com.