SMT Setup Inspection · First Article Inspection · Sample Inspection Before Soldering
QUINS Flex Line: Optical Setup and First Article Inspection for SMT Lines
QUINS Flex Line is the optical inspection system for SMT production lines. The system is mounted directly onto a conveyor belt and supports setup inspection, first article inspection and sample inspection before soldering.
Through fast image capture, optimized LED oblique-light illumination and automatic documentation, QUINS Flex Line helps detect placement errors early, avoid batch defects, and make inspection processes directly on the line more reliable.
QUINS Flex Line is specifically designed for SMT processes. The system is not a THT solution and not a classic stand-alone inspection system, but a line-side inspection solution for control before the soldering process.
QUINS Flex Line is an optical inspection system for SMT lines. It is mounted directly onto a conveyor belt in the production line and supports setup inspection, first article inspection and sample inspection before soldering. The system inspects SMT assemblies for presence, polarity, position, component value and visible optical defects. QUINS Flex Line is designed for SMT processes and is not positioned as a THT or stand-alone system.
Optical Inspection Directly on the SMT Line
QUINS Flex Line was developed for electronics manufacturers who want to inspect SMT assemblies early in the process. The ideal inspection point is directly on the line before soldering. This allows setup errors, placement errors or deviations to be detected before they affect further assemblies.
Typical applications include:
Setup inspection in SMT production
First article inspection before series release
Sample inspection directly on the line
Component inspection before soldering
Checking presence, polarity and position
Inspection of component values and visible deviations
Release inspection after line changeover
Inspection before reflow soldering
Avoiding batch defects
Automatic documentation of inspections
Traceability for release and inspection processes
Especially with frequent product changes, small and medium batch sizes, or high-mix manufacturing, QUINS Flex Line helps release the SMT line faster and more reliably.
Which Defects Does QUINS Flex Line Detect?
QUINS Flex Line supports the optical inspection of SMT assemblies for visible deviations before soldering. The system helps identify typical setup, placement and component orientation errors at an early stage.
Presence Inspection
QUINS Flex Line supports checking whether the intended components are present on the assembly. Missing components can be detected before the next process step.
Polarity Inspection
Polarized components must be correctly oriented. QUINS Flex Line helps make incorrectly oriented or reversed components visible.
Position Inspection
Shifted, rotated or misplaced components can lead to quality problems. QUINS Flex Line supports the optical inspection of component position directly on the line.
Component Value Inspection
Where component markings, printed labels or visual features are inspectable, QUINS Flex Line can support checking component values and component variants.
Typical Defect Patterns
Missing component
Wrong component
Extra component placed
Shifted component
Rotated component
Reversed polarity component
Defective component
Incorrect component value
Incorrect component position
Incorrect PCB or assembly variant
Visible optical deviations before soldering
The goal is to detect defects not after soldering or during final inspection, but as early as possible in the SMT process.
Why QUINS Flex Line?
Integrated Directly on the Line
QUINS Flex Line is mounted onto a conveyor belt in the production line. This allows optical inspection to be integrated directly into the SMT process, instead of building the inspection process as a separate island solution.
Ideal for Setup Inspection
After a line changeover, it is critical that components, feeders, programs and assembly variants match correctly. QUINS Flex Line supports setup inspection directly on the line and helps detect setup errors early.
Reliable First Article Inspection
Before starting a production run or after product changes, QUINS Flex Line can support first article inspection. The first inspected assembly serves as a release point before further assemblies are produced.
Sample Inspection During Ongoing Production
In addition to first article inspection, QUINS Flex Line can be used for sample inspections directly on the SMT line, allowing recurring inspections to be integrated into the production process.
Avoiding Batch Defects
If a setup or placement error is detected too late, it can affect many assemblies. QUINS Flex Line helps make such errors visible at an early stage, reducing rework, scrap and delays.
Fast and Simple Setup
The system is designed for quick setup and simple operation. Inspection processes can be prepared without significant programming effort and put into productive use in a short time.
Automatic Documentation and Traceability
QUINS Flex Line supports automatic documentation of inspections, creating traceable inspection results for quality assurance, release processes and traceability.
Practical and User-Friendly
QUINS develops hardware and software close to real production requirements. Customer feedback flows directly into further development – for systems that work in everyday use.
Durable Hardware and Direct Support
The hardware is robust, ESD-safe, and designed for use in electronics manufacturing. Free direct support is also available.
How Inspection with QUINS Flex Line Works
1. Set Up the SMT Line
After a product change, setup, or program change, the SMT line is prepared. Components, feeders, PCBs, placement data and inspection requirements must match.
2. Feed the Assembly via the Conveyor Belt
QUINS Flex Line is designed for mounting onto a conveyor belt. The assembly moves directly from the production line into the inspection area.
3. Capture the Image
The system captures the assembly via a CMOS camera. Synchronized dual image capture and optimized LED oblique-light illumination support consistent image quality across the inspection area.
4. Check Inspection Criteria
Depending on the inspection task, presence, polarity, position, component value and visible optical defects are checked. This supports setup inspection, first article inspection and sample inspection.
5. Evaluate and Document the Result
The inspection result is documented in a traceable way, creating a clear basis for release, rework, traceability or process optimization.
6. Release Production or Correct the Process
If the inspection passes, production can continue. In case of deviations, the cause can be checked and corrected directly on the line before further assemblies are affected.
Important: QUINS Flex Line Is Designed for SMT Lines
QUINS Flex Line is a solution for SMT processes directly on the production line. The system is not intended as THT placement assistance and not as a classic stand-alone system.
For other inspection tasks, other QUINS systems are recommended depending on the application:
This distinction is important so that visitors quickly understand which QUINS system fits which process.
Who Is QUINS Flex Line Suitable For?
QUINS Flex Line is aimed at companies that want to inspect SMT assemblies directly on the line and secure release processes before soldering.
Typical users include:
EMS providers
Electronics service providers
Electronics manufacturers
SMT manufacturers
Assembly manufacturers
PCB manufacturers
Prototype production with SMT lines
PCB manufacturers with line-side inspection processes
Quality assurance in electronics manufacturing
Production planning and process optimization
Companies with frequent product changes
Companies with small, medium or high-mix batch sizes
QUINS Flex Line is particularly suited for manufacturers who want to implement setup inspection, first article inspection and sample inspection directly on the SMT line rather than as a separate offline process.
QUINS Flex Line, QUINS Pro or QUINS Mount?
Not every QUINS system is designed for the same process step. The following overview helps with classification:
System
Main Application
Location
QUINS Flex Line
SMT setup inspection, first article inspection and sample inspection before soldering
Directly on the SMT line
QUINS Pro
Optical visual inspection, golden board comparison, incoming inspection, final inspection, SMT/THT
Stand-alone / inspection station
QUINS Mount
THT placement assistance with automatic final inspection
THT workstation
QUINS Ultimate
Mobile and flexible all-in-one inspection
Flexible inspection station
For SMT line processes before soldering, QUINS Flex Line is the right solution. For THT placement, QUINS Mount is responsible. For flexible stand-alone inspection, QUINS Pro or QUINS Ultimate is suitable.
Frequently Asked Questions About QUINS Flex Line
QUINS Flex Line is an optical inspection system for SMT lines. It is mounted onto a conveyor belt and supports setup inspection, first article inspection and sample inspection directly on the production line before soldering.
QUINS Flex Line is used for SMT setup inspection, first article inspection, sample inspection, component inspection and automatic documentation before soldering.
No. QUINS Flex Line is designed for SMT processes. For THT placement and THT placement assistance, QUINS Mount is the suitable solution.
No. QUINS Flex Line is designed for use directly on the SMT line and is mounted onto a conveyor belt. For stand-alone visual inspection, QUINS Pro or QUINS Ultimate is suitable.
QUINS Flex Line supports the detection of visible SMT defects such as missing, incorrect, shifted, rotated or reversed-polarity components, as well as incorrect positions, incorrect component values and visible optical deviations.
The system supports inspection of presence, polarity, position, component value and visible optical defects.
QUINS Flex Line is used directly on the SMT line before soldering. Typical inspection points are after setup, during first article inspection, or during sample inspections in ongoing production.
Detecting defects before soldering reduces the risk of batch defects, rework and delays. If a setup or placement error is caught early, the process can be corrected before further assemblies are affected.
Yes. QUINS Flex Line is suitable for first article inspection directly on the SMT line. The first inspected assembly can serve as a release point before the production run continues.
Yes. In addition to first article inspection, QUINS Flex Line can also be used for sample inspections during ongoing SMT production.
Yes. QUINS Flex Line supports automatic documentation of inspections, creating traceable inspection results for quality assurance, release processes and traceability.
QUINS Flex Line is designed for SMT inspection directly on the line before soldering. QUINS Pro is a stand-alone inspection system for optical visual inspection, golden board comparison, incoming inspection, final inspection and flexible inspection tasks.
QUINS Flex Line is designed for SMT line processes. QUINS Mount is a THT placement assistance system for manual THT placement with automatic final inspection.
QUINS Flex Line is suitable for EMS providers, electronics manufacturers, assembly manufacturers, SMT manufacturers, PCB manufacturers, and companies with line-side setup inspection, first article inspection or sample inspection.
Important technical specifications include the 20.44 MP CMOS camera, 600 dpi maximum resolution, 235 × 310 mm maximum image size, 160 mm clearance height, oblique-light LED modules, and integration via a conveyor belt.
Want to Avoid Setup Errors Before Soldering?
With QUINS Flex Line, you inspect SMT assemblies directly on the line – for setup inspection, first article inspection, sample inspection and automatic documentation. This lets you detect deviations early and reduce the risk of batch defects.
Tell us about your SMT line, your conveyor belt and your inspection task. We'll show you how QUINS Flex Line can be integrated into your process.
20,44 MP Camera with CMOS sensor (Sony) with 25 mm 1.1 lens
Max. resolution
600 dpi
Max. image size
235 x 310 mm
Max. component size
depending on the conveyor belt used
Throughput height
160 mm
Capture speed
1 ms
Illumination
slanted light LED modules
Power consumption
100 W (when scanning)
Network
• RJ45 • Dual-Band Wireless-AC 8260 Wi-Fi
Operating system
Windows 11, 64-bit Professional
The maximum assembly size depends on the conveyor belt used and the specific line integration. We're happy to advise you on how QUINS Flex Line can be integrated into your SMT line.
QUINS Flex Line combines modular hardware with powerful QUINS software. Depending on the inspection task, additional modules can be easily integrated—ranging from precise optical inspection to automatic documentation and repair support, all the way to statistical analysis and comprehensive data control.
