Inline measurements and real-time results: How to automate your processes and achieve smarter manufacturing with FISCHER measurement solutions
Precise coating thickness measurement and material analysis for demanding applications
In high-volume manufacturing, precision, speed, and cost efficiency are critical. Whether you’re producing electronics, automotive components, aerospace parts, or plated assemblies, ensuring that every coating meets the specification is essential for quality and compliance.
Traditional offline inspections slow production and only test a fraction of parts. But with the FISCHER inline XRF (X-ray fluorescence) measurement systems, coating thickness and material composition can be monitored continuously – in real time – without stopping production.
This process automation transforms quality control, helping manufacturers reduce waste, cut costs, and achieve 100% inspection coverage.
Why choose inline XRF measurement?
Integrating XRF instruments directly into your production line offers significant advantages:
- 100%-part inspection. Guarantee quality for every component, not just samples.
- Less rework & scrap. Identify process issues early and prevent costly product failures.
- Reduced material costs. Apply just the right amount of coating, no more, no less.
- Higher throughput. Maintain production speed while ensuring accurate coating measurements.
- Real-time quality feedback. Detect coating deviations instantly and correct them before defects occur.
How FISCHER inline XRF process automation works
1. Continuous, high-speed measurement
Our advanced instruments, such as the FISCHERSCOPE® XDV® series, feature microfocus X-ray optics and silicon drift detectors (SDDs), enabling sub-micron accuracy even at high production speeds.
2. Seamless Integration with production systems
FISCHER XRF solutions connect directly to plating, coating, and assembly lines. The system automatically positions components, measures coating thickness, and sends feedback to process controllers – enabling closed-loop process optimisation.
3. Smart automation & pattern recognition
High-resolution video cameras, programmable stages, and WinFTM® software allow automated multi-point testing and accurate targeting of critical areas, even on populated PCBs, connectors, and complex geometries.
4. Complete traceability & compliance
Every measurement is stored automatically, generating comprehensive, standards-compliant reports for ISO, ASTM, IPC, and RoHS audits – making regulatory compliance effortless.
Applications across industries
- Electronics & semiconductors. Real-time monitoring of gold, nickel, tin, ENIG, and ENEPIG coatings
- Automotive manufacturing. Continuous inspection of zinc, chrome, and multi-layer coatings on high-volume components
- Aerospace. Process-controlled measurement of critical coatings on safety-sensitive parts
- Surface finishing & plating. Optimising plating bath efficiency and coating uniformity with live monitoring
Conclusion
FISCHER inline XRF process automation combines precision, speed, and intelligence to help manufacturers:
- minimise material waste
- reduce rework and scrap
- maintain consistent coating quality
- achieve full process control
By integrating FISCHER XRF technology directly into your production, you gain a real-time, automated quality control system that saves money, improves efficiency, and ensures every component meets the specification.
Would you like to find out more about our devices? Request a demo, get a quote, and speak with a specialist – we’re here to help you find the right solution for your application.
