Catch AOI issues before production exposes them
In PCB development, the real question is not whether a design looks correct, but whether it can actually be inspected in production. With Automated Optical Inspection (AOI), hidden weaknesses often appear only after the layout is already locked in, when fixes become expensive and time-critical.
PCB-Investigator’s AOI analysis helps engineers evaluate inspectability and pin visibility earlier in the design flow. That means potential manufacturing issues can be identified before the board reaches production, reducing the chance of rework, manual inspection, or late redesigns.
2D and 3D simulation for practical inspection planning
The AOI analysis looks at the board from the inspection perspective. In the 2D simulation, the distances between pins and nearby components are measured in the expected test direction. If another component blocks the view at too short a distance, the system reports it immediately.
The 3D simulation adds shadow-based analysis. Components are checked against vertical or horizontal inspection directions, and if pins or parts fall into a shadowed area, inspectability may be compromised and the component is flagged accordingly.
The result: better testability decisions while the board is still in design.
Reduce risk, save cost
Early AOI analysis gives teams a practical way to improve manufacturability before production starts. The benefits are straightforward:
- Detect visibility problems early
- Reduce manual inspection effort
- Lower the risk of late redesigns
- Improve production readiness during layout
- Support faster, more confident design decisions
If AOI coverage matters in your process, explore how PCB-Investigator helps you validate testability before manufacturing begins.
