Sherlock 300B Batch AOI Machine

Sherlock 300B Batch AOI Machine

High-Speed, Standalone AOI for Flexible PCB Inspection

The compact Sherlock 300B batch AOI system brings the speed, accuracy, and convenience of inline automated optical inspection to a flexible, standalone format. Designed to operate independently of the production line, it enables hands-off board handling, automatic sorting of good and bad boards, and minimal operator interaction—all in a space-saving footprint. This makes it an ideal solution for facilities with multiple production lines, including manual or benchtop setups that lack inline automation.

With an average cycle time of just 10 seconds per board (based on a 7.3" x 5.1" PCB with 253 components), the Sherlock 300B is well-suited for a variety of inspection tasks—from first article checks to 100% in-process inspection. Its fast throughput, combined with powerful defect detection capabilities, helps manufacturers improve product quality, reduce rework, and increase overall yield. Whether used at the end of a production line or as a standalone QA station, the Sherlock 300B delivers high-performance inspection where and when it’s needed most.

Share Product
Regular price

or for pricing

/

Questions? Reach Out Directly:

Chris Ellis - East Coast

Sales & Operations Manager

215.869.8374

Ed Stone - West Coast

Sales Manager

215.808.6266

Hands-Off Operation for Maximum Efficiency

The Sherlock 300B is a standalone AOI system that delivers the convenience of true hands-off operation—just like an inline system. Simply load a standard M-size rack of PCBs on one side and an empty rack on the other, then launch the inspection program. The board transport system automatically adjusts to the width of each PCB and begins processing the batch with no need for manual handling.

As each board is inspected, the system intelligently separates good and bad units in the output rack using spacers, ensuring clear sorting without operator involvement. This efficient automation enables faster throughput and reduces labor time compared to traditional batch systems that require manual board loading and unloading.

Dual-Lighting System for Superior Solder and Component Inspection

The Sherlock System features advanced RGB illumination that enhances the accuracy and speed of solder joint inspection. This lighting technique colors the flat solder land area in red and the sloped fillet areas in green or blue, allowing clear visualization of both horizontal and angled surfaces in a single image. A properly formed solder joint appears with three distinct color zones, making it easy to assess shape, coverage, and quality. Combined with high-speed imaging, this approach supports rapid, reliable inspections in high-volume environments—without compromising precision.

In addition to RGB lighting, all Sherlock Systems are equipped with powerful white LED illumination for high-accuracy inspection of component color, markings, and placement. This enables precise identification of resistor color bands, connector labels, OCR characters, and component polarity or alignment. Uniform lighting and effective shadow control help minimize false calls and false accepts, delivering consistent, dependable inspection results across a broad range of components.

Effortless Programming Meets High-Performance Inspection

Sherlock AOI software takes the hassle out of programming and inspection with an intuitive touch-screen interface and smart automation tools. Features like CAD import and automatic conversion of pick-and-place data make setup fast and straightforward. A versatile, preloaded parts library further reduces the need for specialized AOI expertise, helping you get inspection up and running in less time—even on complex assemblies.

Where many AOI systems offer limited part libraries, Sherlock goes further with detailed inspection profiles for each component. These include tailored imaging settings, lighting conditions, and inspection parameters, all of which can be easily adjusted or expanded to suit your unique production needs.

The software is designed for ease of use at every level. A step-by-step Navigation Mode walks operators through programming and inspection tasks, while built-in online support and a searchable in-software manual ensure help is always within reach. Even advanced features are clearly explained, allowing your team to unlock the system’s full potential without extensive training.

Advance Beyond Defect Detection — Strengthen Your Entire Workflow

Boost more than just inspection precision by integrating Statistical Process Control (SPC) software. Installed independently from the Sherlock System, this robust tool uncovers early signs of process drift, monitors long-term performance metrics, and highlights recurring issues. By converting inspection data into meaningful trends and diagnostics, SPC enables smarter, data-driven decisions that increase yield, minimize errors, and enhance production quality.

For added efficiency and seamless traceability, the Sherlock’s built-in camera reads both 2D and 1D barcodes—removing the need for an external scanner. It also includes optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities, empowering the system to interpret and validate part numbers, component labels, and other printed data during inspection.

Sherlock 300B Specifications
Minimum Component Coverage 01005 (12.4 µm/pixel)
0201 (18.7 µm/pixel) Standard Lens
Minimum PCB Size 2" x 2" (50 mm x 50 mm)
Maximum PCB Size 13" x 9.85" (330 mm x 250 mm)
Thickness .5-2mm
Maximum Weight of PCB 1 kg
Topside Clearance 25 mm (12.4 µm/pixel)
30 mm (18.7 µm/pixel)
Bottomside Clearance 20 mm
Conveyor Height N/A
Camera Resolution 12.4 µm/pixel
18.7 µm/pixel
Inspection Speed 5,000mm²/s
Imaging Range / Field of View 25.4 x 13.5 mm (12.4 µm/pixel)
38.3 x 20.3 mm (18.7 µm/pixel)
Depth of Field 6 mm (12.4 µm/pixel)
10 mm (18.7 µm/pixel)
Repeat Position Accuracy +/- 50 µm
Camera 2 megapixel
Lighting RGB and warm-white illumination in 3-ring arrays
Flow of PCB Right to left/Left to Right
Machine Interface N/A
Drive system of imaging unit High rigidity biaxial belt drive
PCB Clamp Air Clamp
Conveyor Width Adjustment Automatic
Offline Programming Optional
Repair Station Software Optional
SPC Software Optional
Monitor 21.5" touch panel display
Computer Control Windows 10 Pro 64 bit, 8G memory
Power Requirements 100-240 VAC +/- 10% single phase, 50/60 Hz
Compressed Air 72 psi, 5 l/min
Dimensions (L x W x H) 59" x 31" x 52" (1496 x 786 x 1328 mm)
(Alert light adds 11" (280 mm) in height)
Weight 655 lbs (297 kg)
Warranty 1 Year
Remote Service & Support Included
2-Day Remote Training Included

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

More from Equipment
Inspection and Linking Conveyor - BC Series
  • PCBs to 530 x 460 mm
  • Link Equipment, Inspect, and Buffer
  • 50-1200 mm or Custom Lengths
from $4,495.00
2000PC Automatic SMD Counter
  • Speed Up Inventory & Kitting Tasks
  • Includes PocketCheck Missing Part Detection
  • Does Not Include Bar Code Scanner or Printer
$3,095.00
Ultra-Dry 1490V Desiccant Dry Cabinet
  • Capacity: 44.1 cu. ft.
  • 5 Adjustable Shelves
  • Datalogging Included
$12,995.00
2000 Automatic SMD Counter
  • Speed Up Inventory & Kitting Tasks
  • Does Not Include PocketCheck
  • Does Not Include Bar Code Scanner or Printer
$2,495.00
Ultra-Dry 790V Desiccant Dry Cabinet
  • Capacity: 22 cu. ft.
  • 5 Adjustable Shelves
  • Datalogging Included
$9,495.00