PARMI, a leader in advanced 3D inspection systems, is proud to announce that Aurora Boardworks, a U.S. manufacturer of custom circuit assemblies, has expanded its manufacturing and inspection capabilities with the purchase of a SigmaX Blue 3D Solder Paste Inspection (SPI) system and Xceed II 3D Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) system. The investment provides Aurora Boardworks with advanced inspection technology designed to improve process control, identify defects earlier and support consistent, high-quality PCB assembly production.
Serving customers across industrial, aerospace, medical-device, agriculture and other markets, Aurora Boardworks specializes in custom circuit board assembly and emphasizes repeatable builds, predictable schedules and accountable production execution. The addition of PARMI’s inspection systems further strengthens the company’s ability to monitor and verify critical assembly processes.
“We recently purchased SPI and AOI equipment from PARMI. Our Technology Manager researched several different systems and ultimately recommended PARMI,” said Gary Bales, President and CEO of Aurora Boardworks. “PARMI has been extremely flexible, responsive, and easy to work with, which is a key reason we selected them. The equipment has been outstanding. The implementation was as smooth as any I’ve experienced, and it has enabled us to make structural changes to our quality processes to improve efficiency and without compromising customer quality.”
The SigmaX Blue SPI uses PARMI’s 3D inspection technology to provide detailed measurement of solder paste deposits, including characteristics such as height, area, volume and shape. The system generates true 3D inspection data and can account for PCB warpage and substrate variation, providing manufacturers with more comprehensive information for controlling the printing process. PARMI describes the SigmaX platform as a high-speed 3D SPI solution designed to support accurate paste and process control.
Following solder paste inspection, the Xceed II AOI provides advanced 2D/3D inspection capabilities for identifying assembly defects. The system incorporates PARMI’s TRSC-II sensor and multiple resolution settings, allowing inspection to be configured for either high-precision or high-speed applications. Its capabilities include inspection of components and solder-related defects, while its enhanced optical technology also supports inspection of complex components and die applications.
“We are very pleased to welcome Aurora Boardworks as a PARMI customer and to support the company as it continues to expand its inspection capabilities,” said Juan Arango, Head of Sales and Business Development at PARMI USA. “The SigmaX and Xceed II provide complementary inspection capabilities that enable manufacturers to gain greater visibility into the SMT process, from solder paste deposition through component assembly. We look forward to working closely with the Aurora Boardworks team and helping them maximize the benefits of these advanced inspection platforms.”
For Aurora Boardworks, the investment is intended to provide greater visibility into production quality while helping the company identify potential issues earlier in the manufacturing process. By combining 3D SPI with 3D AOI, the company can evaluate solder paste deposition and finished assemblies using advanced inspection data, helping reduce the risk of defects progressing further through production.
“Everyone is worried about putting the AOI inline because there is a lot of fear that in-line AOI will slow down your SMT operations, especially in a high-mix/low-volume environment. With PARMI, it has made our operations faster,” said Daniel Stanphill, Technology & Marketing Manager. “We’ve essentially removed an entire step of the process as the boards no longer require batch inspection after the surface mount.”
The two systems will complement Aurora Boardworks’ existing manufacturing operations by providing additional data and inspection points throughout the assembly process. The SigmaX can help identify variations in solder paste deposition before components are placed, while the Xceed II can verify assembled boards and detect defects that may otherwise require downstream inspection or rework.
For Aurora Boardworks, the investment represents another step in the company’s ongoing commitment to technology, quality and reliable manufacturing. The company has evolved from its roots as International Sensor Systems, Inc., founded in 1973, and adopted the Aurora Boardworks name in 2023 as its business expanded its focus on custom circuit board assembly.
The addition of PARMI’s SigmaX Blue SPI and Xceed II AOI systems provides Aurora Boardworks with advanced inspection capabilities that align with its goal of making PCB assembly more predictable, repeatable and accountable for its customers.
For more information, visit www.parmi.com.
