# US 2021/0080378 A1 · Non-destructive testing for plating defects > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0080378 A1 - Document ID: US20210080378A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/571,297 - Filed: 2019-09-16 - Published: 2021-03-18 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-16 - Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation - Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation - Inventors: Eric J. Campbell; James Anderl; Sarah K. Czaplewski-Campbell; Jason T. Wertz; Brandon M. Kobilka - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210080378A1 ## CPC - G01N 19/08: Detecting presence of flaws or irregularities - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A method and a system for non-destructively detecting defects within and/or on plated-through holes are provided. The method includes sealing a plated-through hole on a printed circuit board to detect for possible defects along the sidewall of the plated-through hole. The method further includes applying an airflow through the plated-through hole and measuring the airflow entering the plated-through hole at the gasket to determine the initial airflow calculation. The method also includes measuring the airflow again as it exits the plated-through hole to determine an exit airflow calculation. A determination of the quality of the plated-through hole is made by the method by analyzing the initial airflow calculation and the exit airflow calculation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: an orifice plate for sealing a plated-through hole of a printed circuit board and for taking initial airflow measurements; an airflow generator for passing air through the orifice plate and the plated-through hole; an anemometer for collecting exit airflow measurements exiting the plated-through hole; and a processing device for analyzing the initial airflow measurements and the exit airflow measurements to detect defects along sidewalls of the plated-through holes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the orifice plate is configured to collect a mass flow rate measurement and velocity measurement of the air as the air enters the plated-through hole. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the anemometer is configured to collect a mass flow rate measurement and velocity measurement of the air as the air exits the plated-through hole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device is configured to analyze for velocity differentials and mass flow rate differentials of the air entering the plated-through hole and exiting the plated through hole and compare the velocity differentials and the mass flow rate differentials to predetermined values. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the processing device is configured to make a determination of quality for the plated-through hole based on the initial airflow measurements and exit airflow measurements. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the anemometer is a hot-air anemometer. ### Claim 7 A method of detecting defects on a plated-through hole, the method comprising: sealing a plated-through hole with an orifice plate to detect defects within the plated-through hole; applying airflow through the plated-through hole; measuring the airflow entering the plated-through hole to determine an initial airflow measurement; measuring the airflow exiting the plated-through hole to determine an exit airflow measurement; and determining a quality of the plated-through hole by analyzing the initial airflow measurement and the exit airflow measurement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein determining a quality of the plated-through hole comprises: receiving expected airflow measurements collected from a non-defective plated-through hole; comparing the initial airflow measurement and the exit airflow measurement to the expected airflow measurements; and determining, based on comparing, the quality of the plated-through hole. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the orifice plate provides for a fixed air pressure to be applied to the plated-through hole. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the initial airflow measurement and the exit airflow measurement includes a measurement of velocity of the airflow. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the initial airflow measurement and the exit airflow measurement includes a measurement of mass flow rate of the airflow. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein measuring the airflow entering the plated-through hole is measured by the orifice plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein measuring the airflow exiting the plated-through hole is measured by an anemometer. ### Claim 14 A computer program product for detecting defects on a plated-through hole, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instruction embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to: seal a plated-through hole with an orifice plate to detect defects within the plated-through hole; apply airflow through the plated-through hole; measure the airflow entering the plated-through hole to determine an initial airflow measurement; measure the airflow exiting the plated-through hole to determine an exit airflow measurement; and determine a quality of the plated-through hole by analyzing the initial airflow measurement and the exit airflow measurement. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the instructions to determine the quality of the plated-through hole comprise additional instructions to cause the process to: receive expected airflow measurements collected from a non-defective plated-through hole; compare the initial airflow measurement and the exit airflow measurement to the expected airflow measurements; and determine, based on comparing, the quality of the plated-through hole. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the orifice plate provides for a fixed air pressure to be applied to the plated-through hole. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the initial airflow measurement and the exit airflow measurement includes a measurement of velocity of the airflow. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the initial airflow measurement and the exit airflow measurement includes a measurement of mass flow rate of the airflow. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the instructions to measure the airflow entering the plated-through hole is measured using the orifice plate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the instructions to measure the airflow exiting the plated-through hole is measured using an anemometer.