Buyers Guides

Content

AOI is essential for SMT quality control, but choosing between offline and online AOI impacts not only inspection accuracy, but also production flow and efficiency.

This guide helps buyers make an informed decision.

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1. Understanding the Difference

• Online AOI: Integrated directly into the SMT line

• Offline AOI: Inspection separated from main production flow

The key difference is not inspection capability, but how inspection affects PCB movement.

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2. Advantages and Limitations

Online AOI

• Immediate feedback

• Minimal handling

• May cause line blocking in high-mix production

Offline AOI

• Flexible inspection scheduling

• Reduced impact on main line

• Requires additional PCB transfer planning

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3. Which One Fits Your Production?

• High-volume, stable products → Online AOI

• High-mix, frequent changeover → Offline AOI

• Limited space → Online AOI

• Frequent NG handling → Offline AOI

There is no universal “best” option.

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4. Common Wrong Assumptions

• Online AOI is always more efficient

• Offline AOI means lower quality

• Inspection can be added without changing PCB flow

These assumptions often lead to unexpected bottlenecks.

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5. When Inspection Becomes a System Decision

Inspection strategy should be decided together with PCB routing, buffering, and automation.

👉 Our Offline SMT Solutions help design inspection flow without interrupting production.

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This issue is part of a broader PCB transfer and line stability topic.
Please refer to our Buyer’s Guides Hub