Lighting System

The Lighting System is a critical component within an Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) System. Its primary function is to illuminate the target object (e.g., a printed circuit board, semiconductor wafer, or mechanical part) with specific light characteristics (intensity, angle, wavelength, uniformity) to enhance contrast, reveal surface defects, highlight features of interest, and minimize shadows or glare. This controlled illumination is essential for the AOI system's cameras and sensors to capture high-fidelity images for subsequent analysis, measurement, and defect detection algorithms.

The system typically consists of multiple light sources (e.g., LEDs, halogen lamps) arranged in specific geometric configurations (ring lights, dome lights, backlights, coaxial lights). These are controlled by a driver/controller that adjusts parameters like brightness, strobe timing (synchronized with camera capture), and sometimes color temperature or specific wavelengths. The light is directed onto the inspection target. Different lighting techniques (bright-field, dark-field, diffuse, structured) are used to accentuate different types of surface features, textures, or defects, making them clearly visible to the imaging system.