digitaly compare sample circut board to newly produced

Teradyne offers a test station that can be used to map and test PCB's. I hope I am answering you question correctly. If you are looking just to check physical location of components, I would recommend using Cognex cameras to inspect the PCB's. They offer character recognition and full color operation. I do hope this helps. I have a habit of going over the top.

Well, on the cheap side you can get an overlay. This is basically an ESD safe 'sheet' that lays on the board and has cutouts for all installed components. Silk screened on the overlay will be reference designators and polarity indicators (making it easy to determine if diodes, caps, etc. are reveresed). I believe this is also referred to as a pokeo if I recall correctly.

If you are looking for an automated approach, try AOI (automated optical inspection) equipment. Orbotech, Omron, and Agilent are pretty common in this field.

Sounds like a bed of nails tester would do that and also check functionality if you want.

A simple 'blink' tester would suffice...

Not sure what the name is but it basically an optical way of viewing both boards together and alternating the image you see between the two... So if one board has a component missing or reversed it shows up as a moving component, or as a component flashing etc...

Don't know how you'd differentiate between a resistor round the wrong way though !!

John.

First, I want to thank all that responded.

I will research several options.

Thanks again for all your help.

George

Dear Guest,

A 2D or 3D vision system from companies such as Sick, Balluff, Omron or Cognex provide good solutions. I have done some testing in this direction. What is your budget?

Mirco