Catch AOI issues before production starts
Automatic Optical Inspection is essential in PCB manufacturing, but inspectability problems are often discovered too late. A component may block the camera view, hide individual pins, or force manual rework that could have been avoided with earlier design checks.
That is exactly what the AOI analysis in PCB-Investigator is designed to prevent. It helps engineering teams evaluate inspectability during the design phase, so potential AOI risks can be addressed before the first board reaches the line.
2D and 3D simulation for practical insight
The software supports both 2D and 3D AOI analysis. In 2D, the distances of all pins are measured in the expected inspection direction to other components, with the camera angle taken into account. If another object sits too close in that direction, the system reports a visibility issue.
In 3D simulation, components are evaluated using shadow-based inspection logic. Shadows are mapped under the vertical or horizontal inspection directions. If a component or its pins fall inside that shadow, inspectability is at risk and the part is flagged as potentially uninspectable.
Designing for testability early is one of the simplest ways to reduce production cost and avoid unnecessary redesigns.
Why this matters for engineering teams
- Identify AOI visibility problems before fabrication
- Reduce manual inspection and rework
- Improve DFM and manufacturability decisions
- Support more reliable release readiness
- Review critical components and distances in a clear list
See how early AOI analysis helps
PCB-Investigator gives you the ability to verify later testability while the board is still in development. That means fewer surprises, lower costs, and more confidence in the production process.
Explore the AOI analysis feature and see how it can fit into your PCB design workflow.
