XRH Count – Smart Component Counting

Slide Inspection Capability Database Connection Smart Camera Quad Count Counting Cloud Simple Operation Flow

Technical Specification

Quad Count Live

Automation is a serious goal driven by lean industries to achieve increased productivity, consistency of output and consequently reduced direct human labor costs. As process improvements are part of VCcount’s daily business, the team envisioned an exciting potential process enhancement by implementing a new type of smart barcode reader. Based on this new generation hardware, the data is automatically scanned by the smart barcode reader as the SMD reels are placed into the drawer – autoloading the real-time information into the system without any clicking or confirmation required.

A new software version was also created to intelligently manage the full potential that this new hardware brings to the count process chain.

Speed & convenience

The Quad Count Live immediately detects the position and barcode as the SMD reel is placed over the loading drawer. This results in a faster cycle time, and with the new sophisticated layer of automation enables total tracking of reel positioning    and automatic label printing after reel removal.

Process quality

The camera provides excellent live feedback prior to counting due to its advanced barcode reading quality. The operator needs not to be concerned about mix-ups, because the feature also detects changes of the reel position.

Additionally, this new hardware also directly controls the labelling printer after each reel removal.

 

Features Options

Customers can choose between a low-cost camera with 2.3 MP, or upgrade to a 5 MP for even more convenience and speed. Customers who are already benefitting by an XRHCount system can upgraded it by adding the Quad Count Live retrofit in the field.

The Quad Count Pro can work in a process of a “single reel” counting and even four 7″ SMD-Reels at the same time. The cycle time of x-ray counting and barcode scanning for a single reel is below 8 seconds. When the Quad Count option is used, four SMD-reels will also be counted within 8 seconds. This is a cycle time of 2 seconds per reel.

  • Speed up your system
  • Increase process safety on the barcode scanning process
  • Premium 5 MP High End Scanner

XRHCount with MODI’s AdoDat 5000

More than just an x-ray count machine, in compliance with market demand VisiConsult recently presented a new partnership with MODI. MODI’s AdoDat 5000 is a modern industrial „Incoming Goods Scanner “used for the recording, registration, booking, comparison and traceability of electronic components. The integration of a scan solution by MODI replaces manual data entry, thereby preventing errors when entering data.

The scanner has been integrated into the XRHCount and uses all the information from barcode and data matrix code labels on incoming goods, such as part rolls, dry packs, etc., to store information as a read, data and traceability interface and to all subsequent processes send. Here, labels are safely read both with codes (with and without identifiers), arbitrarily composed string formats as well as plain text information, the information compared and stored together with images & Unique Identifier in the traceability database.

Incoming Goods Scanner with X-Ray Counting

  • Fast and highly secure code and OCR reading thanks to patented ADOMO® technology
  • 100 % Traceability by automatic archiving of all scans
  • Customer-specific connections by Interface communication with various systems (ERP, MES, etc.)
  • Intelligent ADD ONs such as Date Code Conversion
  • User Management
  • Final quality check of the quantity with the x-ray counting

Smart Camera

Features & Benefits

  • High-End Barcode reader
  • 1D and 2D Code possible
  • Area scanner of 15×15 cm
  • Programming of accepted Code-Types
  • Auto-Trigger for the light
  • Magnetic feet with adjustable arm
  • Tool for process safety
  • Focus adjustments
  • Operator has both hands free to work with the SMD rolls
  • Reducing in general 1,5sec. to 2sec. on cycle time.

(This is an optional tool)

Software Specification

Splicing Detection

Metal splicing is common and widely used on SMD electronic industry, connecting two tapes. During X-ray counting process the image acquired shown the splicing visible as a dark spot.

The artificial intelligence of the XRHCount has a special algorithm to detect the metal splicing. When it is localized it gets excluded from the counting algorithm.

Excluding this identified, dark spot the result more reliable, since its poorly possible to determine if the metal pocket is empty or not. Assuming its not empty brings risks to your material inventory control.

compute-intensive applications such as AI, today’s high-performance and with this exclusive technique that’s directly manipulates the results and brings the most consistency on counting result set us apart!

The user can track the data of the reel.

  • Number of splices on the reel
  • Number of components before and after the splice
  • Exclude the area of the splicing from the counting algorithm
  • The amount of each area can be submitted to the ERP system
  • The partial quantities can be printed on the new label

The splicing detection combined with the ASM Material Managers enables the functionality to update each unique ID between the splicings.

Regular Expressions (RegEx)

Human errors are prone to happen during data collection, a flawless process is mandatory to avoid wrong information assigned to the ERP/MRP.

Barcode scanning is an efficient and automated method that can save a substantial amount of efforts and time.

A powerful filter method RegEx tool is naturally required as the tracking and data gathering becomes essentially important, barcode scanner and ERP integration allows businesses to improve accuracy, productivity, and efficiency.

The RegEx tool monitors every barcode scanning step and validates it according to pre-defined rules.

Basic concept:

A regular expression, often called a “pattern”, is an expression used to specify a set of strings required for a particular purpose.

The admin can create and store rules according to the structure of the barcode data content. The operator is only able to perform the reading step, when the barcode matches to the pre-defined rules, the software provides allowance to proceed the counting process.

In case the barcode information does NOT match the specified rules, the system provides a warning message and blocks the process until an approved barcode is provided.

RegEx feature is an extra layer of protection between the counting process and your data quality to ERP system.

Counting of MSL bags with desiccant

MSL “Moisture Sensitivity Level” components and appropriate packaging for some semiconductors are mandatory in electronic industry.

The current software version of the XRHCount makes it possible to count SMD-Reels even with foreign material “desiccant” over the top of the components.

The operator can put the whole bundle into the drawer (SMD Reel + antistatic bag and the desiccant), the artificial intelligence of the XRHCount has a special algorithm that will localize it and exclude the foreign material from the counting algorithm.

Operationally it is a tremendous advantage, because it’s not needed to open the antistatic bag to perform the counting process. It saves time and consequently money!

Recognition of odd shapes

XRHCount has nonstop software and algorithm development, dedicating long time period on new algorithms creation and providing ability to count tough forms even with overlapping of encapsulation.

Since the launching of the 1st system, VisiConsult has been actively working with data sharing of “real Images”. It means real field approach, gigabytes coming from all customer globally, this clever solution enhances our local database, based on learning experience of other users.

It reflects the actual database that knows and treats complex or irregular shape components. There are no limits for our image treatment software to provide most accurate count.

As known, there are a wide variety of shapes used in the SMT market: Chips, SMT connectors, IC’s, BGA and many others…

It is important when evaluating X-ray Counting systems to consider this. Do our algorithms handle a wide range of parts? Do the Artificial Intelligence operate the counting easily for complex or irregular components?

Statistic Suite

The Statistic- & Maintenance Suite fosters what has been called a “smart factory”.

The predictive information on the maintenance tab is a based solution for management problems of the system. It is an example of how big data analytics and advanced AI algorithms can help detect part failures via hidden correlations that otherwise would be impossible to find, hereby avoid failures before they happen.

The Statistic- & Maintenance Suite is supporting the local maintenance team for serving the management in an optimal way.

The maintenance area is displaying the condition of the system. To perform a preventive maintenance visit at the right time, the engineers can track different data. The key values are: X-ray tube hours, light barrier faults, emergencies, drawer cycles, start button pressed and software updates.

The Statics tab helps and displays easily the system utilization, the frequency can be sorted out per day, week, month or year of the system.

With this data, the ROI can easily calculate and the management can track system performance either operational performance.

System communicates and cooperates with real-time data that can be shared across organizational dashboard offering a competitive advantage in supply value chain!

PCB

PCB inspection is an essential element in any electronics manufacturing process. The PCB inspection enables faults to be detected as soon after the manufacture process as possible. It is very important to check that solder joints on packages such as BGAs (Ball Grid Arrays) are being correctly soldered. The X-Ray system is able to look under the chips to view the solder joints. VisiConsult developed an application called XPlus Viewer, this is a separate analyzation tool to support on PCB inspection. This additional feature enables the user to inspect soldering points. A quick check-up can be made within a few seconds and the edited images can be saved as an .jpg for further investigations.

VisiConsult developed an application called XPlus Viewer, this is a separate analyzation tool to support on PCB inspection. This additional feature enables the user to inspect soldering points. A quick check-up can be made within a few seconds and the edited images can be saved as an .jpg for further investigations.

Different processing times of the XRHCount options

New Software Features

Image of the benefits of XRH Count

As soon as the XRHCount arrives at a facility it is ready to use. The Plug and Play model is based on the basic premise that system teaching is not required because it already has a globally proven database stored locally. This results in no lost time to get the counting started.

The newest software version has a very intuitive user interface that was developed in correspondence to the customer’s request of a touch screen.

The cycle time is optimized via improved hardware and software. The new generation of the system is up to 20% faster and counts within 8.5 seconds per reel, and the Quad Count just needs 2 seconds per reel. The table on the back shows the timings of the counting process: Drawer loading + component analysis + unloading.

For smart industries the system is ready for robots, and the free Connectivity Suite ensures an easy integration into the customer’s existing systems – now real-time data can be integrated to the facility’s ERP system or even be exported into a file based on usual industrial formats like XML or CSV.

Mechanically, the design of the drawer was optimized by a new concept using linear guides and lower weight, and maintenance time is reduced by implementing more access points for the service technician.

Videos

XRHCount new release 2021

Presentation of the latest generation of the SMD reel X-ray counting system XRHCount from VCcount. The highlights are the new touchscreen-optimized user interface and the cycle time of under 8.5 seconds per SMD reel including barcode recognition.

XRHCount Counting Cloud

The Counting Cloud feature has many benefits, like effort and programming for a new component check. Based on principle of data sharing “Component Shape Image”, all customer enhances their database based on learning experience of others user, more than thousands of reel images reflects the actual database.

XRHCount Material Types

The XRHCount gives you the capability to count different kind of materials like trays, sticks, reels and more.

XRHCount PCB Inspection

PCB inspection is an essential element in any electronics manufacturing process. The PCB inspection enables faults to be detected as soon after the manufacture process as possible. It is very important to check that solder joints on packages such as BGAs (Ball Grid Arrays) are being correctly soldered. The X-Ray system is able to look under the chips to view the solder joints. VisiConsult developed an application called XPlus Viewer, this is a separate analyzation tool to support on PCB inspection. This additional feature enables the user to inspect soldering points. A quick check-up can be made within a few seconds and the edited images can be saved as an .jpg for further investigations.

XRHCount Printing

The XRHCount has a printing feature, that lets you print the label for the component reel in only a few seconds.

XRHCount Quad Count

Count four 7” SMD-Reels in <10 seconds. Simply put 4 SMD reels of 7” at once into the XRHCount. Different shapes and part number are allowed.

XRHCount Quad Count Pro

Double time saving! Count four 7” SMD-Reels in <10 seconds and save further time with an intelligent barcode reader. Simply put 4 SMD reels of 7-inch at once into the XRHCount. Different shapes and part number are allowed. The intelligent barcode reader automatically assigns the detected barcodes to the SMD roles.

XRHCount RegEx and Blacklist