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.