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Glenbrook Technologies X-Ray: Anyone using this??

Glenbrook Technologies X-Ray: Anyone using this??

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Hello all, yesterday we had a good demo of a X-Ray system fr... - Jun 23, 2004 by jdumont

JD- I have used a few of GlenBrook's machines.. Jewel Box 7... - Jun 23, 2004 by

The RTX-113 is the model we were looking at. If we decided ... - Jun 23, 2004 by jdumont

I would ditto CAL, we have a jewel box 90 with the 5 axis an... - Jun 23, 2004 by RDR

We have had an RTX-113 since 1997. I echo Cal's comments wit... - Jun 23, 2004 by bbarr

The Angle view (or Variable Angle Viewing) gives you another... - Jun 24, 2004 by

One word of caution, depending on the complexity of the boar... - Jun 25, 2004 by

jdumont

#29208

Glenbrook Technologies X-Ray: Anyone using this?? | 23 June, 2004

Hello all, yesterday we had a good demo of a X-Ray system from Glenbrook Technologies. I am simply looking for anyone who has one of their products in use to share some info with me. Things like maintenance, customer support, problems encountered....Anything will help.

Thanks in advance, JD

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Cal

#29211

Glenbrook Technologies X-Ray: Anyone using this?? | 23 June, 2004

JD- I have used a few of GlenBrook's machines.. Jewel Box 70, Jewel Box 90, and RTX-113. Currently we have the RTX -113 on our shop floor as we speak. I like the machine but wished I would have went for for the angle viewing option or even the BGA software. It is easy to use and accomodates large boards. Does does a good job for most of our boards. Only one case did we have a problem - as that boards had HUGE ground planes and heat sink. But Glenbrook did help as I was able to send the boards to them for x-ray. I have not needed service on my current machine (1.5 years old). From A safety point We purchased the Meter just as a precaution and have had no radiation issues (nor did I expect any) For us the price was right (less than $45K)and has worked well. Ours is used for process prove out and Rework. I need to many other machines in my shop not to be economical Enjoy, Cal CTDI.com cdriscoll@ctdi.com

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jdumont

#29214

Glenbrook Technologies X-Ray: Anyone using this?? | 23 June, 2004

The RTX-113 is the model we were looking at. If we decided to go with this one we would be getting the software. What were you hoping to be able to do with the angle view that you cannot do now? We were also looking at the small hand held inspection camera they offer. That was pretty nice.

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RDR

#29215

Glenbrook Technologies X-Ray: Anyone using this?? | 23 June, 2004

I would ditto CAL, we have a jewel box 90 with the 5 axis and we love it. I really like being able to tilt,rotate,and move side to side front to back, Angle viewing under a BGA can be very informative as to the quality of reflow in seeing ball collapse, "moving" bottom side parts out of the way so you can tell if it is a short or bottom side component, via inspection, etc.

Russ

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bbarr

#29217

Glenbrook Technologies X-Ray: Anyone using this?? | 23 June, 2004

We have had an RTX-113 since 1997. I echo Cal's comments with respect to experiences with the unit and the desire for the angle viewing. Don't know if the angle viewing is available on the RTX-113. You should look at a unit with that option before making a final decision. It allows you to verify degree of wetting of the balls to lands and proper collapse of the balls.

Our machine was refitted with a new tube and power supply in 2002 because the image was starting to get weak. That was the first time the machine required any work after five years of use. At that time I had Glenbrook install the zoom camera option. That has helped with image quality when viewing fine pitch BGAs and BGAs with integral heatsinks. You may want to investigate that. Plan on buying a radiation meter to make periodic checks.

Bob

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Cal

#29229

Glenbrook Technologies X-Ray: Anyone using this?? | 24 June, 2004

The Angle view (or Variable Angle Viewing) gives you another perspective on joint inspection. Glenbrook has two great illistrations on the varible angle viewing literature (.pdf file): Here are a few examples: 1) Looking straight down on the ball..it should be cymetrical all the way around...to varify this you use the angle view to see. 2)We have vias used for heat sinking...and want to make sure the via is filled with solder. These vias are under gull wing components and we need to make sure they fill.. So looking straight down all looks OK, Like looking straight down on top of a soda can(Looks like a circle), Being able to view from the side or angle now it look cylindrical instead of a circle.

Glenbrook has plenty of pics to support this.

enjoy Cal

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Pete

#29268

Glenbrook Technologies X-Ray: Anyone using this?? | 25 June, 2004

One word of caution, depending on the complexity of the boards and package, the Xray on Jewel Box may not be powerful enough to show the voiding defects within the solder sphere. We ran a board side by side against a high end system and find that out. The bearings running on the axes also tend to wear and break down over time.

Other than that it's a good system in this price range.

Pete

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