Taking “Made in the USA” to a Higher Level: Quality, Innovation and Customer Service Drive ASC International’s Success

By Steve Arneson, National Business Manager

Located in America’s Heartland and founded in 1992, Minnesota-based ASC International is a global supplier of 3D solder paste inspection (SPI), 2D/3D automated optical inspection (AOI) and High Resolution Imaging (HRI) Solutions. “We are your partner for quality and yield improvement,” said Jon Arneson, Owner. “We work closely with our customers to develop a custom process improvement strategy that works. Guaranteed.” 

The company helps electronics manufacturers worldwide improve production yields and profits through the utilization of its industry-leading portfolio of innovative technologies. From the original LaserVision SP2D and VM line of SPI systems to the most current VisionPro/LineMaster Series of SPI and VisionPro Prey Series of AOI/HRI systems, ASC International’s primary focus for the past three decades has been to provide the most cost-effective solutions to the global electronics industry.

At its core, ASC International believes in manufacturing its technologies and systems in the United States. Made in the USA is synonymous with quality, hard work and innovation, which are characteristics the company models itself after. It also ensures the use of the most cutting-edge technologies. For example, based upon the overall measurement capabilities required, either laser-based or structured white light technology 3D sensors are implemented, while its AOI sensors use high-resolution image modeling as well as advanced algorithm-based technology.

SPI Technology

 Since its inception, ASC has embraced the fundamental value of SPI and continues to strive to deliver the most reliable, cost effective solutions globally. To accomplish this task, systems are configured with either laser or structured white light moiré interferometry technology to meet its customers’ exact specification for an optimal ROI.

Laser-based technology works by using the core principles of laser triangulation. A laser stripe is projected at a specific angle to the imaging camera generating a differential height reading from the base surface to the overall surface of the solder paste deposit. Single laser stripe SPI sensors provide accurate and reliable height and width characteristics whereas ASC’s optional laser scanning sensor provides improved accuracy and reliability of height, width, area and volume characteristics with a composite 3D profile for advanced qualitative analysis.  

The other 3D sensor option is structured white light Moiré interferometry. With this technology, a known light pattern is projected onto a surface with the captured image being transferred to a high-resolution camera for further data processing. For example, on a contoured surface such as a freshly printed circuit board, the pattern will follow the height variations from the surface structure to the solder paste deposits. An X-Y-Z pixel by pixel replication is generated to establish the most accurate and comprehensive data set available for obtaining true height, width, area and volumetric measurements. Realistic 3D profiles are also rendered for quality related printer defect analysis.

 SPI is critical to your overall quality control strategy. The company offers a full range of SPI solutions from bench top to fully automated inline platforms. ASC International’s SPI products include the LaserVision SP3Dm, VisionPro M Series, VisionPro AP Series, VisionPro HSi, LineMaster Fusion 3D and ASC’s best seller, the LineMaster DMi, for an all-in-one, dual purpose AOI and SPI solution. From a best buy to best-in-class, ASC has the right tool to meet its customers most demanding SPI requirements.

AOI Technology

ASC International’s AOI systems include numerous innovative software and hardware features to significantly improve the overall user experience. The advanced image modeling and algorithm-based software stabilizes defect detection by drastically reducing the dreaded false failure call rates to an absolute minimum while still maintaining a robust focus on eliminating the potential for escapes. This level of accurate and reliable inspection plays an important role in a customers’ production processes by reducing the costs associated with time-consuming rework or potential field failures. ASC offers a range of AOI systems from its price-to-performance-leading offline VisionPro Merlin and value packed inline LineMaster Falcon Plus AOI systems to the revolutionary feature-rich, dual-mode 3D SPI/AOI LineMaster DMi.

Additional benefits of ASC’s AOI technology include:

• Windows 10 / Windows 11 OS

• Simple to Program – Ease of Operation 

• 2.5D – Dual Laser Option for Component and Lead Height Coplanarity.

• Lowest Cost of Ownership

 • World Class Service and Support

 

HRI Technology

In addition to traditional AOI, ASC has expanded upon its offering to include High Resolution Imaging sensors to accommodate a growing market to create a fully automated solution to capture entire board images or micro-sized features for further analysis. Using ultra-high precision camera/optics packages with X-Y pixel resolutions under 3 µm, companies are now able to fully digitize complete assemblies for complete traceability or image individual layers of assemblies with added overlay detection features for more advanced process control. The HRI sensor option for AOI provides a cost effective alternative to what the industry typically embraces for these types of applications.

 In sync with its efforts to provide affordable solutions, the company also offers certified pre-owned AOI and SPI systems from its line of extended products including CyberOptics Corporation and other leading inspection innovators. It has the right inspection solution available at unbeatable prices.

“Our goal is to provide our customers with the highest value, innovation and customer service from our US-based facility,” concluded Arneson. “We use only the highest quality technologies in our systems so that our customers can remain confident knowing their AOI, SPI and HRI systems through ASC are guaranteed to help them advance their valued quality initiatives.”

For more information about ASC International Inc., contact Steve Arneson, National Business Manager, at 830 Tower Dr., Suite 200, Medina, MN 55340; 763-479-6210; E-mail: sarneson@ascinternational.com; Web site: www.ascinternational.com.