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8 May 2026
J-TEQ has completed the first stage of a new investment programme at its Livingston facility by installing a state-of-the-art Prey Falcon Inline Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) System.
This major investment will improve J-TEQ’s Surface Mount Technology (SMT) inspection capability, providing a faster, more consistent inspection process for electronic manufacturing.
AOI technology unlocks a wealth of benefits for J-TEQ’s customers, particularly those in regulated and quality-critical environments. From boosting quality and traceability to enhancing process integrity, the Prey Falcon Inline AOI System is a significant milestone in J-TEQ’s commitment to manufacturing excellence.
Let’s explore how the new system works, the benefits it provides, and what it means for J-TEQ customers.
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) have seen major advancements over the years, enabling impressively intricate designs and applications. As PCBs get more sophisticated, inspection processes need to keep pace with the demands of increasingly advanced electronics production.
Newer PCBs use smaller components and denser board layouts with tighter quality requirements. That makes inspection accuracy an incredibly important process for PCB testing. Manual inspection can’t effectively meet the speed, repeatability, or level of detail necessary for today’s intricate assemblies.
AOI systems, such as the Prey Falcon Inline, offer an innovative solution to these challenges using high-resolution imaging and advanced algorithmic analysis. This allows the system to inspect assemblies with new levels of speed and precision.
Implementing this technology directly into the SMT production process means that J-TEQ can identify potential defects earlier in the pipeline. This, in turn, improves process control while reducing the chance of issues moving further downstream in the production line.
The Prey Falcon Inline AOI System is a UK-developed solution that utilises high-speed, high-accuracy defect detection for SMT production environments.
The inline design of the system is well-suited to PCB assemblies, as it allows for automatic inspection during production. This removes the need for a separate offline process and supports a more efficient workflow, while maintaining a high standard of quality in manufacturing.
Installation of this new AOI system was delivered in partnership with Detech Europe Limited, with support from J-TEQ’s manufacturing team and installation partners. The team has already completed initial operator training, so the system can be implemented into day-to-day SMT operations.
The team at J-TEQ noted that: “This investment enhances our SMT inspection capability, supporting customers operating in high-reliability sectors where consistent quality and process integrity are essential.”
J-TEQ’s new AOI system offers several key benefits to the SMT manufacturing process. This means a better experience for customers, with improved quality control, efficiency, and more.
Inline AOI automates component inspection and implements it into the production process. Various issues can be identified faster and earlier in the pipeline this way, including:
This ability to detect defects early reduces the need for rework later in the process, supporting improved first-pass yields.
The Prey Falcon AOI System incorporates high-resolution imaging and advanced algorithmic analysis to provide PCB assembly assessments with exceptional accuracy. This is particularly useful for more complex boards with dense layouts, as well as assemblies used in high-reliability applications (such as the aerospace sector).
For customers, this feature translates to greater confidence that every assembly has been inspected using robust, repeatable, and highly detailed inspection processes.
AOI technology is also a useful way to support stronger process control by providing insightful inspection data. J-TEQ can now identify trends, monitor quality performance, and directly support continuous improvement across SMT operations.
For regulated and quality-critical sectors (such as emergency services), improvements to traceability are a massive benefit. This new system helps J-TEQ maintain the high levels of process integrity and documentation often required by customers operating in regulated environments.
Detecting potential defects earlier positively affects production efficiency. When issues are identified before they move further down the line, they can be assessed and resolved more quickly, helping reduce unnecessary rework and maintain smoother production flow.
As the Prey Falcon AOI System operates inline, inspection can take place without interrupting the wider SMT process. This gives J-TEQ a stronger inspection capability while supporting efficient throughput and consistency across manufacturing runs.
J-TEQ’s investment in a new AOI system provides a variety of benefits for its customers, improving reliability, quality, and manufacturing capability.
The enhanced inspection process supports greater confidence in the consistency of finished PCB assemblies. It also strengthens J-TEQ’s ability to support customers with demanding technical, regulatory, and performance requirements. Customers also benefit from:
For organisations that depend on reliable electronic assemblies, this investment offers enhanced assurance that quality is being built into the manufacturing process at every stage.
The installation of the Prey Falcon Inline AOI System is the first stage of a wider SMT line enhancement programme.
Stage Two is scheduled to introduce automated loaders and unloaders across J-TEQ’s SMT lines and the inline AOI cell. This next phase will support automated board handling, reduce manual intervention, and further improve consistency across higher-volume manufacturing runs.
Together, these investments will help create a more automated, scalable, and controlled manufacturing environment. This will directly support J-TEQ’s continued growth and its customers’ future requirements.
J-TEQ’s latest investment highlights an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, technical capability, and customer-focused manufacturing.
By combining advanced inspection technology with skilled operators, robust quality processes, and strong supplier partnerships, J-TEQ is continuing to strengthen the capabilities needed to support complex, high-reliability electronic manufacturing projects.
The successful installation of the Prey Falcon Inline AOI System is another important step in that journey. J-TEQ’s investment in AOI technology is enhancing SMT inspection capability today while preparing the business for the manufacturing demands of tomorrow.
