VIEW Engineering was one of the first manufacturers of commercial
machine vision
Machine vision (MV) is the technology and methods used to provide imaging-based automatic inspection and analysis for such applications as automatic inspection, process control, and robot guidance, usually in industry. Machine vision refers to m ...
systems. These systems provided automated dimensional measurement, defect detection, alignment and quality control capabilities. They were used primarily in the
Semiconductor device fabrication
Semiconductor device fabrication is the process used to manufacture semiconductor devices, typically integrated circuit (IC) chips such as modern computer processors, microcontrollers, and memory chips such as NAND flash and DRAM that are pres ...
,
Integrated circuit packaging
In electronics manufacturing, integrated circuit packaging is the final stage of semiconductor device fabrication, in which the block of semiconductor material is encapsulated in a supporting case that prevents physical damage and corrosion. ...
,
Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board (PCB; also printed wiring board or PWB) is a medium used in electrical and electronic engineering to connect electronic components to one another in a controlled manner. It takes the form of a laminated sandwich str ...
,
Computer data storage
Computer data storage is a technology consisting of computer components and recording media that are used to retain digital data. It is a core function and fundamental component of computers.
The central processing unit (CPU) of a comput ...
and Precision assembly / fabrication industries. VIEW's systems used video and laser technologies to perform their functions without touching the parts being examined.
History
While working as a physicist at Hughes Aircraft Company, Dick Hubach recognized a need for automated dimensional measurement systems, when he discovered that the cost to verify the correct manufacture of some aerospace components actually exceeded the cost to manufacture those components. This recognition led to a new start-up company named VIEW Engineering.
VIEW Engineering was founded in
Canoga Park, California
Canoga Park is a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of the City of Los Angeles, California. Before the Mexican–American War, the district was part of a rancho, and after the American victory it was converted into wheat farms and th ...
in 1976. The next year, VIEW introduced the word's first automated, 3-axis, machine vision-based, dimensional measurement system – the RB-1. The RB-1 was the forerunner of modern machine vision-based
Coordinate-measuring machine
A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is a device that measures the geometry of physical objects by sensing discrete points on the surface of the object with a probe. Various types of probes are used in CMMs, the most common being mechanical and l ...
s (CMMs). This was followed in 1978 by the introduction of the first pattern recognition (
Template matching
Template matching is a technique in digital image processing for finding small parts of an image which match a template image. It can be used in manufacturing as a part of quality control, a way to robotic navigation, navigate a mobile robot, or a ...
Wafer prober
A wafer is a crisp, often sweet, very thin, flat, light and dry biscuit, often used to decorate ice cream, and also used as a garnish on some sweet dishes. Wafers can also be made into cookies with cream flavoring sandwiched between them. They ...
s – the PR-1.
As the company's business increased, VIEW Engineering relocated to a facility in
Chatsworth, California
Chatsworth is a suburban neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles, California, in the San Fernando Valley.
The area was home to Native Americans, some of whom left caves containing rock art. Chatsworth was explored and colonized by the Spanis ...
in late 1977 and again to
Simi Valley, California
Simi Valley (; Chumash: ''Shimiyi'') is a city in the valley of the same name in the southeast region of Ventura County, California, United States. Simi Valley is from Downtown Los Angeles, making it part of the Greater Los Angeles Area. T ...
in 1981.
General Motors Corporation
The General Motors Company (GM) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It is the largest automaker in the United States and ...
invested in VIEW Engineering in 1984 as part of its plan to improve automobile manufacturing quality in the U.S. through widespread use of factory floor machine vision technology. In 1989, VIEW Engineering purchased Synthetic Vision Systems, Inc.
VIEW Engineering was an
OEM
An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is generally perceived as a company that produces non-aftermarket parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer. It is a common industry term recognized and used by many professional or ...
for
Mitutoyo
is a Japanese multinational corporation specializing in measuring instruments and metrological technology, headquartered at Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa. In 2009, VIEW's California operations were relocated to QVI's Western Region facility in
Tempe, Arizona
, settlement_type = City
, named_for = Vale of Tempe
, image_skyline = Tempeskyline3.jpg
, imagesize = 260px
, image_caption = Tempe skyline as s ...
.
VIEW Micro-Metrology continues to be global supplier of high-accuracy video coordinate measuring systems and software, primarily serving micro-electronic, mobile device and data storage manufacturing.
Product timeline
*1977: VIEW RB-1 – An automated, 3-axis,
binary image
A binary image is one that consists of pixels that can have one of exactly two colors, usually black and white. Binary images are also called ''bi-level'' or ''two-level'', Pixelart made of two colours is often referred to as ''1-Bit'' or ''1b ...
, machine vision-based, dimensional measurement system (a forerunner of modern machine vision-based CMMs)
* 1978: VIEW PR-1 – A binary image, pattern recognition system for automated Wirebonding machines and Wafer probers
* 1981: VIEW 719 – A general-purpose, binary image, machine vision system for shop floor use
* 1982: VIEW 1101 – A 2nd generation, binary image, pattern recognition system for automated Wirebonding machines and Wafer probers
* 1982: VIEW 1119 – A combination of the 719 and the 1101 that provided pattern recognition and edge detection capabilities
* 1982: VIEW 1200 – A binary image, machine vision-based CMM
* 1985: VIEW 720 – A 2nd generation, general-purpose,
grayscale
In digital photography, computer-generated imagery, and colorimetry, a grayscale image is one in which the value of each pixel is a single sample representing only an ''amount'' of light; that is, it carries only intensity information. Graysc ...
image, machine vision system for shop floor use
* 1985: VIEW 1220 – A 2nd generation, grayscale image, machine vision-based CMM
* 1986: VIEW 725 – A dedicated machine vision system for QFP (
Quad Flat Package
A quad flat package (QFP) is a surface-mounted integrated circuit package with "gull wing" leads extending from each of the four sides. Socketing such packages is rare and through-hole mounting is not possible. Versions ranging from 32 to 304 ...
) and PLCC (
Plastic leaded chip carrier
In electronics, a chip carrier is one of several kinds of surface-mount technology packages for integrated circuits (commonly called "chips"). Connections are made on all four edges of a square package; compared to the internal cavity for mou ...
3D scanner
3D scanning is the process of analyzing a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance (e.g. color). The collected data can then be used to construct digital 3D models.
A 3D scanner can be based on m ...
system for PGA (
Pin grid array
A pin grid array (PGA) is a type of integrated circuit packaging. In a PGA, the package is square or rectangular, and the pins are arranged in a regular array on the underside of the package. The pins are commonly spaced 2.54 mm (0.1") ...
) package inspection
* 1995: VIEW 8100 – A laser-based, 3D scanner system for SMT (
Surface-mount technology
Surface-mount technology (SMT), originally called planar mounting, is a method in which the electrical components are mounted directly onto the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB). An electrical component mounted in this manner is referred ...
) process characterization and control
* 1995: VIEW 880 – A laser-based, 3D scanner system for in-tray inspection of QFP, TQFP ( Thin Quad Flat Pack), TSOP ( Thin small-outline package) and BGA (
Ball grid array
A ball grid array (BGA) is a type of surface-mount packaging (a chip carrier) used for integrated circuits. BGA packages are used to permanently mount devices such as microprocessors. A BGA can provide more interconnection pins than can be put ...
) packages
* 1997: VIEW 890 – A laser-based, 3D scanner system for bump-on-die (
Flip chip
Flip chip, also known as controlled collapse chip connection or its abbreviation, C4, is a method for interconnecting dies such as semiconductor devices, IC chips, integrated passive devices and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), to extern ...
) inspection
* 1999: VIEW Pinnacle 250 – A high-accuracy, machine vision-based CMM
* 2001: VIEW Summit 450 & Summit 600 – High-accuracy, large-travel, machine vision-based CMMs
The timeline given above is summarized here.
Patents
;VIEW Engineering's patents related to correlation-based pattern recognition were the foundation of the company's beginnings:
* Correlation-based Pattern Recognition hardware and software to find the position of specific, complex part features in video images. (United States Patent 4200861 & 4736437 & 4385322 & 4300164)
;A number of VIEW Engineering's 31 patents address key video technologies useful in machine vision-based CMMs including:
* Programmable Ring Light hardware to enhance the appearance of weak-edges in video images by controlling illumination intensity, direction, color and angle of incidence. (United States Patent 4706168) (Japan Patent 2001-324450) (China Patent 200810207342) (Canada Patent CA 1293232)
* Automatic, Video-based, Camera Focusing to determine the Z-axis position of an object under inspection. (United States Patent 4920273) (Canada Patent CA 1255796)
* Ronchi Grid Surface Focus hardware to allow automatic camera-focusing on reflective or low-texture surfaces. (United States Patent 4743771)
;Other VIEW Engineering patents relate to the 3D laser-scanning technology used in VIEW's PGA, QFP, TQFP, TSOP and BGA package inspection systems:
* Using Multiple Cameras to Image a Package. (United States Patent 4872052)
* Triangulation-based 3D Imaging. (United States Patent 5546189 & 5617209) (Korea Patent 1019997000995) (PCT Patent WO 1998/005923 & 1996/034253) (Canada Patent CA 1287486 & CA 1265869)