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Electronic microscope or macro camera for SMT inspection — Parallax Forums

Electronic microscope or macro camera for SMT inspection

T ChapT Chap Posts: 4,223
edited 2009-10-27 01:49 in General Discussion
I need a system to put circuit boards on a large flat screen for inspection. Using magnifying glasses is a hassle. Using typical security cams are fine if you are always at a fixed distance from the subject, but they have very shallow depth of field. I am looking for some method the blow up board on a TV screen without the focus hassles. Any suggestions?

Comments

  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2009-10-24 20:42
    Brighter lights and a smaller fstop.

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  • James LongJames Long Posts: 1,181
    edited 2009-10-24 21:23
    Todd,

    There are microscopes (even on Ebay), fitted with cameras which are connected to TV's.

    They are not cheap, but are meant to do what you are looking to do.

    James L

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  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2009-10-24 23:25
    I have a USB microscope that cost 55.00 if I remember correctly.
    It works really well for looking at circuit boards. It was made for children
    but it seems to have good quality. I also have a really
    cheap USB webcam (640x480) that I got on ebay for 12.00 and since it
    has an adjustable focus ring it also works pretty well to look at boards.
    The webcam is easy to use since it has a ring of 6 white LEDs on the front
    for illumination.

    EDIT:
    I have an old 3.2 megapixel canon camera that I don't use much any more.
    It has video output for hooking to a tv and I just tried using it to look at boards.
    Placing it on a miniature tripod I got at Dollar Tree for 1.00 made it really easy
    to focus on a circuit board using the macro setting and the zoom...it's actually
    easier to use than the other 2 cameras. If you have an older camera gathering
    dust you should try it smile.gif

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    Post Edited (HollyMinkowski) : 10/24/2009 11:37:45 PM GMT
  • John R.John R. Posts: 1,376
    edited 2009-10-24 23:35
    Close Focus + micro/macro (relatively high magnification) => shallow depth of field. The higher the magnification, the shallower the depth of field. (This is the part of the subject, from front to back, that is in focus.)

    I have one of the expensive stereo microscopes with a camera. Even at the lowest magnification, you still need to focus on anything 3-D. You might be able to get the circuit board in focus, and see the solder joints, and even the top of surface mount resistors. Much more than that might be starting to get a little fuzzy.

    More light, and a lower f-stop help some, if you have a camera that works that way, but other than at very low magnifications, by the time you get enough light, you start to loose contrast, and things get hard to see, especially shiny stuff, like leads and solder smile.gif

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  • T ChapT Chap Posts: 4,223
    edited 2009-10-25 01:03
    Great ideas. I'll check into some of these ideas. I understand f-stops and DOP but don't have a camera that will allow an adjustment. I don't like bending over to use the microscope or that would be the easiest, a flat screen requires less gymnastics..
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,935
    edited 2009-10-25 01:42
    If you have a digital camera with video out and macro function, you can use that. I do it all the time. I also use macro mode to take pictures through a microscope to get 40x digital pictures. I use an old Sony 2MP camera and it has been great.

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  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2009-10-25 05:17
    Just an idea - if you want greater depth of field you need to increase the focal ratio (get the camera as far away as possible). One way to do that would be to use a zoomed in digital camera in combination with a spotting scope or binoculars. You would need to modify the binoculars slightly so that you could focus on something so near - the eyepiece would need to be moved further out than normal. Shouldn't be too hard to do if you have an old pair of binos to hack.

    Rich H

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  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2009-10-25 12:38
    If your camera has a lens cap then you might try making a very tiny round hole
    in the center and placing it on the lens. The pinhole might work to increase the F stop
    value and give a huge depth of field. You might not even have to worry about
    focusing the lens any more. You will need more light of course...white LEDs should work
    well if you affix them on the camera some way.

    I have some tiny ccd cameras and I tried using a pinhole in front of the sensor and the
    result was absolutely razor sharp images in full daylight... from infinity to as close as
    you could get an object to the camera...I cut out a small piece of that sticky metallic foil tape
    and stuck it onto the lens holder of the cam and indented it with a fingertip so I could spot the
    center point easily and then I just stuck a needle through to make the pinhole.

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  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2009-10-26 00:48
    At my work we use the Digital Blue "toy" microscope.
    I can't remember if it is the QX3 or the QX5, but I think it is the QX3. It does a decent job for a cheap "toy".

    I could probably post some PCB pictures from it, but it's not expensive. Just give it a try.

    Bean.

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  • T ChapT Chap Posts: 4,223
    edited 2009-10-26 15:50
    Bean Thanks for that, I will get one today!

    All you need is a PC and your imagination! Explore microscopic worlds at 10, 60, and 200 times their original size! The Digital Blue QX5 Computer Microscope can capture and record images and video on most PC computers. Experiment with the microscope and the PC.

    # Resolution: 640 x 480 VGA resolution when streaming to PC
    # Magnification: 10x, 60x, 200x
    # Light Source: Twin "Superbrite" LEDs
    # Memory: Direct to PC (based on PC capacity)
    # Video Playback: 15 frames per second
    # Power Source: PC when connected



    Well I couldn't find it at any of the stores locally that they list, but ran across similar products:

    www.pcgears.com/default.aspx?oid=139069&gclid=CIuRmtmM250CFSn6agodwk0ZrQ

    Post Edited (Todd Chapman) : 10/26/2009 4:14:16 PM GMT
    DB12011-2-1.jpg
    500 x 500 - 27K
  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2009-10-26 21:42
    Todd, the one bean is talking about is the same one I referenced above that
    I got for 55.00

    Mine is the Intel Play QX3

    It may be a toy but the images look very nice.

    I searched and there are several on ebay in the range 10 -30 dollars.

    cutaway.jpg

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  • T ChapT Chap Posts: 4,223
    edited 2009-10-27 01:49
    Thanks Holly. Their site has them for 79.00 now, I may just do that since I can't find one locally at the stores they list as dealers. I think it looks ideal.
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