As more and more product manufacturers prefer surface mount technology compared to the through-hole technology, the demand for stringent PCB inspection has been increasing. This inspection is necessary to ensure the small SMD components have been soldered properly. These components face greater stress. The structural integrity of the soldered joints must be high to ensure electrical reliability. The components cannot withstand structural load if the solder has not been applied properly in the right amount. All these things must be inspected before the board is released for use in the product.

Timely inspection prevents PCB failures and other issues. The issues can include cracks, delamination, and wettability. The boards are first put through the visual inspection process whereas a PCB expert inspects the board with naked eyes. This inspection reveals any missing component, wrong placement and contaminated solder paste problems. More complex inspections are also performed based on the requirements.