German test and inspection specialist GÖPEL electronic has unveiled a new system for the precise inspection of conformal coatings on printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), targeting applications where environmental protection and reliability are critical, such as automotive, aerospace, and energy systems.
The company’s new Multi Line CCI system introduces a high-resolution colour camera, optional oblique-view cameras, and integrated coating thickness measurement, offering a significant leap in inspection accuracy and flexibility.
Conformal coatings protect sensitive electronics from moisture, dust, and temperature fluctuations. Detecting coating defects or deviations has traditionally required multiple inspection steps, but GÖPEL’s latest system automates the process, using a combination of UV illumination and multi-angle imaging to identify inconsistencies with greater precision.
The Multi Line CCI’s updated camera module includes up to eight oblique-view cameras, enabling detailed inspection of hard-to-reach areas such as connector pins. A telecentric colour camera with a resolution of up to 8 µm, combined with high-power UV LEDs emitting at 365 nm, provides high-definition imaging from multiple directions.
One of the system’s key innovations is its integrated 3D coating thickness measurement. This allows the actual layer thickness to be verified at multiple points in line with IPC standards—an important capability for manufacturers dealing with tight tolerances or stringent quality requirements. The feature enables the system not only to confirm the presence of a coating but also to verify whether it meets specified thickness parameters.
The Multi Line CCI also accommodates PCBAs with tall components, offering up to 120 mm of clearance—reduced to 80 mm when coating thickness measurement is active. The system can inspect assemblies from both above and below, allowing simultaneous examination of both sides of dip-coated boards without the need for manual repositioning.
The inspection process can be configured within minutes using CAD data and paint plans. Both coated and uncoated regions of a PCBA are automatically verified, providing comprehensive quality assurance in a fully automated workflow.
GÖPEL electronic said the new Multi Line CCI offers “maximum inspection coverage and flexibility” for manufacturers seeking to ensure the durability and reliability of electronic assemblies exposed to demanding environmental conditions.
