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Creative Electron, a U.S.-based developer of X-ray and computed tomography inspection systems, took part in the recent Technica USA Tech Day, where conversations centered on a topic that’s becoming harder to ignore: how do you inspect what you can’t easily see anymore?
As assemblies get denser and more complex, especially with large BGAs and stacked designs, inspection isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. During the event, Bill Cardoso, Creative Electron President & CEO, dug into what’s changing—and what manufacturers are running into on the floor.
“BIG BGAs aren’t just about size,” Cardoso said. “They’re about what’s hidden underneath. As things get more compact and more layered, you need better ways to actually see what’s going on inside.”
That shift is driving more interest in X-ray and CT-based inspection. Creative Electron develops both planar X-ray and 3D CT systems designed to give manufacturers a clearer view into complex assemblies—from traditional SMT to advanced packaging and stacked devices.
The company’s approach is built around flexibility. Its systems are modular, allowing customers to scale capability based on application needs—whether that’s higher resolution, larger sample sizes, or more advanced analysis. That matters in environments where product designs change quickly and inspection requirements don’t stay static for long.
Headquartered in San Marcos, California, Creative Electron designs and builds its X-ray and CT inspection systems in the United States, supporting customers with direct access to engineering, applications, and service teams. Its platforms are used across electronics manufacturing, semiconductor applications, and other industries where non-destructive inspection is critical.
The discussion at Technica also highlighted the importance of collaboration. Through its partnership with Technica USA, Creative Electron works closely with manufacturers to apply inspection technology in practical, production-focused ways.
As electronics continue to evolve, the need for clear, reliable inspection data isn’t going away—it’s becoming more central to how products are built and qualified.
