Agilent Technologies’ Automated X-Ray Inspection System Selected by Plexus for Rapid New-Product Testing

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) and Plexus Corp. today announced that Plexus, a global electronic manufacturing services provider, has selected the Agilent Medalist x6000 Automated X-ray Inspection system as part of its test and inspection strategy for new products.

The Agilent x6000 provides reduced manufacturing conversion costs without compromising the defect-detection capability required on Plexus’ highly complex boards. It accomplishes this by more than doubling the throughput of market-leading 3-D solutions while using full 3-D capability to find defects.

“The addition of 3-D X-ray completes our portfolio of production test and inspection equipment,” said Gary Simpson, engineering and manufacturing manager, Plexus. "This enhancement to our existing 2-D X-ray capability provides the automated solution we need to serve our customers.

“Demands for high reliability with long MTBF rates in medical and high-end industrial markets drive ever-tighter process control and inspection strategies. Agilent’s X6000 will enhance our overall capability in both areas and allow efficient volume processing,” added Simpson.

The Agilent x6000 finds defects in solder joints, resulting in higher end product quality and lower warranty repair and scrap costs. The system achieves more than 90-percent defect coverage while meeting or exceeding line beat rates.

“Electronic products across various industries are becoming increasingly complex and at the same time, customers throughout the entire product supply chain are demanding higher quality,” said Jim Benson, product manager of Agilent’s Measurement Systems Division. “These challenges are driving manufacturers to seek better test and inspection solutions that can deliver the level of defect coverage necessary to ensure that only reliable and defect-free products are shipped.”

“The x6000 provides the level of unsurpassed defect coverage the market has come to expect of Agilent’s 3-D Automated X-ray Inspection, delivered via the breakthrough speed of the Medalist x6000,” he added.

Further Information and Availability

The Agilent Medalist x6000 Automated X-Ray Inspection solution is available now. More information is available at www.agilent.com/find/x6000. System images are available at www.agilent.com/find/x6000_images.