The AOI system was installed under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme of Appasamy Associates Private Limited (AAPL) and was officially inaugurated on Tuesday by Senthil Kumar, CEO of Appasamy Associates, in the presence of V. Vishnu Varadan, CEO of AIC‑PECF, and S. Rajakumar, COO of AIC‑PECF.
The machine enhances the centre’s Surface Mount Technology (SMT) assembly line by providing automated, high‑precision inspection of assembled printed circuit boards, including checks on solder joints, component placement and polarity.
AIC‑PECF officials said the new facility will enable incubated startups, student innovators, researchers and MSMEs to conduct on‑site quality assessments of prototype boards, eliminating the need to send them to larger hubs in Chennai or Bengaluru and thereby reducing inspection time and costs.
V. Vishnu Varadan noted that the AOI machine fulfills a capability mandate the centre has pursued since launching its electronics design and manufacturing programme, highlighting that quality assurance has traditionally been a stumbling block for young hardware ventures moving from prototype to production orders.
The equipment will be made available to the centre’s incubated companies and other eligible users for PCB assembly, prototyping and electronic product development, strengthening the regional hardware ecosystem.