Product Overview

The PCB OK/NG Buffer ZCLA-3 receives a pass or fail signal from an upstream AOI (Automated Optical Inspection) system and automatically routes each board to the correct lane — good boards continue to the OK lane for further processing, while boards flagged as defective are diverted to the NG lane for rework or rejection. This sorting happens mid-line, between two production stations, without any operator intervention.

In SMT lines with inline AOI, the ZCLA-3 closes the loop between inspection and production flow. It prevents defective boards from continuing to downstream processes — wave soldering, conformal coating, or final assembly — where rework would be more costly. It also eliminates the manual sorting step that would otherwise require an operator to stand between the AOI and the next station.

Key Highlights

• Automatic OK/NG sorting — routes boards based on upstream AOI or inspection signals
• Mid-line placement — sorts boards between two production stations, not just at end of line
• Eliminates manual sorting — no operator needed between AOI and next station
• Prevents defects from progressing — stops NG boards before they reach downstream processes
• SMEMA compatible — integrates with any standard SMT line equipment
• Two independent output lanes — OK and NG boards collected or routed separately

Best For

• SMT lines with inline AOI where defective boards must be removed before downstream processes
• Lines where manual sorting between AOI and the next station is a bottleneck
• Quality-critical production in automotive, medical, or industrial electronics
• Lines where rework cost at downstream stages is significantly higher than at AOI

How It Compares

• vs Standard Buffer ZCL-3: Standard buffer passes all boards through in one lane. ZCLA-3 sorts boards into OK and NG lanes based on inspection signals.
• vs OK/NG PCB Unloader: OK/NG unloader sorts boards at the end of the line into collection magazines. ZCLA-3 sorts boards mid-line between two production stations.
• vs Storage Buffer ZCL-3BLii: Storage buffer holds boards for extended periods without sorting. ZCLA-3 actively sorts boards into two lanes based on quality.