Dynamic testing of electronic assemblies

An production line adapted for dynamic testing of electronic assemblies, comprising:

• a) at least one assembly machine;
• b) at least one inspection machine, programmed with at least a first program and a second program for identifying defects on electronic assemblies produced by the assembly machine;
• c) a communication network passing information between the assembly machine and the inspection machine;
• d) wherein the communication network passes information from the assembly machine to the inspection machine concerning an event that could cause defects in the manufacture of the electronic assemblies;
• and
• e) wherein, in response to receiving the indication of the event, the at least one inspection machine switches from using the first program to using the second program to inspect electronic assemblies,
• wherein:
• i) the at least one inspection machine comprises at least two inspection machines and
• ii) the production line additionally comprises a switch routing electronic assemblies to the second assembly machine in response to the event;
• and
• iii) the second program runs on the second inspection machine.

An inspection machine adapted for use in a production line capable of performing dynamic testing of electronic assemblies, comprising:

• a) inspection apparatus selected from the class consisting of AOI and flying prober;
• b) a controller, connected to the inspection apparatus, the controller having:
• i) at least a first software program and a second software program;
• ii) a connection to a communications network;
• iii) software adapted to receive event messages over the communications network and to select either the first program or the second program in response to an event message;
• iv) wherein an event is a change in the process for manufacturing electronic assemblies selected from the group consisting of a reel change and a jam.

An inspection machine adapted for use in a production line capable of performing dynamic testing of electronic assemblies, comprising:

• a) inspection apparatus;
• b) a controller, connected to the inspection apparatus, the controller having:
• i) at least a first software program and a second software program;
• ii) a connection to a communications network;
• iii) control software adapted to receive event messages over the communications network and to select either the first program or the second program in response to an event message;
• iv) wherein the event message includes an indicator of an electronic assembly affected by the event and the time at which the control software selects between the first program and the second program is determined by the time at which said electronic assembly is inspected.