Though small, capacitors are the lifeblood of electronic devices. From the 01005 surface-mount capacitors in smartphones—too tiny to be seen with the naked eye—to the bulky horn-shaped electrolytic capacitors in industrial power supplies, their physical dimensions directly determine assembly yield, electrical clearance, and even the lifespan of the entire device.

The days of relying solely on two hands and a caliper are over. Telecentric Measurement Systems are taking over production lines with a resolution of 0.001 mm (1 micron). However, capacitors of different sizes require different optical solutions—which is why we’ve introduced a multi-model lineup.

What types of capacitors can a Telecentric Measurement System measure?

• Diameter and Roundness: Sub-pixel algorithms eliminate edge jaggedness and accurately determine whether the body is deformed.

• Arcs and Radii: Detects minute changes in the curvature of end caps to prevent assembly interference.

• Height and Coplanarity: A telecentric optical path eliminates shadows, allowing for one-click measurement of abnormal pins from the side.

The Telecentric Measurement System can measure capacitance with an accuracy of up to 0.001 mm.

Standard vernier calipers can only measure down to 0.01 mm and are prone to scratching the product. The 1-micron accuracy of the in-line projector is equivalent to one-seventieth the width of a human hair. For micro-surface-mount capacitors such as 0201 and 01005, even a dimensional deviation as small as 0.005 mm can cause the pick-and-place machine’s nozzle to leak air or result in the tombstone effect. This system can perform multiple measurements per second while the production line is running at full speed, automatically rejecting non-conforming parts in real time.