AOI problems usually start in the layout
If an automated optical inspection system cannot see a pin, the root cause is often not the line—it is the PCB design. Tight component spacing, unfavorable viewing angles, or hidden pins can force manual checks later and turn a preventable issue into added cost.
PCB-Investigator’s AOI Analysis helps bring that risk forward into the design phase. Instead of discovering inspectability problems after the board reaches manufacturing, engineers can evaluate them while the layout is still adjustable.
2D and 3D analysis for realistic inspection conditions
The tool supports two complementary approaches. In 2D AOI analysis, pin distances are measured in the expected test direction and evaluated against nearby components, taking the camera angle into account. If another part blocks the visibility path, the system reports it immediately.
The 3D AOI simulation adds a shadow-based check. Component shapes are projected under vertical or horizontal inspection directions, and any pin or part located in that shadow is flagged as potentially not inspectable.
The result is straightforward: validate later testability early and reduce production-side surprises.
Why it matters for engineering teams
- Catch AOI visibility issues before release to manufacturing
- Reduce manual rework and individual inspection effort
- Avoid expensive redesigns caused by late discovery
- Improve confidence in testability and production readiness
- Assess visibility and shadowing with realistic inspection logic
For PCB designers, electronics engineers, and manufacturing decision-makers, AOI Analysis is a practical way to make inspectability part of the design workflow. That means fewer surprises, lower costs, and a cleaner path from design to production.
Learn more about AOI Analysis in PCB-Investigator and check your designs for inspectability earlier in the process.
