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ITL announces further investment in its in-house SMT manufacturing facility, using optical inspection and electrical testing to boost the quality of medical device printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Headquartered in Kent, UK, we are an ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 certified organization providing world-leading design and manufacturing services to the medical, healthcare, and life science markets. In the MedTech industry, quality and precision are crucial, so as PCB designs become more intricate and complex, the need for advanced inspection becomes even more critical.
The equipment upgrade included installing a 3D Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) system as part of our in-house SMT process and an SMD component tester to ensure the quality of electrical components before placement. The ALD770S i3D Inline AOI is one of the fastest and most accurate machines available on the market. It is designed to overcome all PCB design challenges, including shadows, different component colors, PCB warp and more.
Tristan Lambert, Production Manager, ITL, commented, “the investment in the ALD770S i3D AOI reflects our focus on assuring the quality of finished medical devices. We understand that optical inspection is an essential part of the quality process in manufacturing; that’s why we continue to invest heavily in the latest technologies to assure our customers have confidence in the quality of our PCB’s.”
The component tester can measure resistors, capacitors, diodes, and inductors with voltages up to 40V. It can be programmed to test all components prior to placement or the first and last components to verify correct feeder loading. All test data is held at the component level, providing control and, where necessary, traceability at the individual circuit level, giving customers and end-users confidence that ITL has completed the process within design and production limits.
Tristan commented, “Continuous improvement has been a guiding force for ITL since the beginning. This recent investment in new equipment ensures quality, increases accuracy, and prevents potential errors from occurring.”
With over 40 years’ experience in PCB assembly, we are one of the few ISO 13485:2016 and FDA GMP certified UK manufacturers that can provide high volume PCB manufacturing within the medical sector.
Our PCB manufacturing process has been validated in accordance with FDA GMP 21 CFR Part 820, and our automated build and inspection equipment verifies that all PCBs are manufactured and perform to the highest standards. Of course, not everything is suitable for automation – that’s why we have a skilled team of through-hole technicians too. Whatever the scale of your medical device project, we can help.