Inspec
Inspec Inc. is a Japanese listed manufacturer of automated optical inspection (AOI) and direct imaging equipment for semiconductor package substrates, flexible printed circuits, lead frames, and PCBs, serving electronics manufacturers globally through direct sales and channel partners.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersSenboku, Japan
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Inspec does
Inspec Inc. (インスペック株式会社) is a Japanese listed manufacturer (TYO: 6656) of automated optical inspection (AOI) and direct imaging equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry, founded in 1984 and headquartered in Kakunodate (Semboku City), Akita Prefecture. The company develops and produces in-house the three foundational layers of its visual inspection systems — image processing, mechatronics, and optical sensing — and sells hardware platforms organized into substrate AOI (SX series, including SX5600 with 5μm/5μm line/space resolution), roll-to-roll AOI for flexible substrates (RA series), automatic transport inspection for lead frames and PCB units (LF, BP, BF series), and roll-to-roll direct imaging equipment (RD3000FB) for long flexible printed circuits. Its proprietary iDSA defect classification algorithm (Pentagon system), sub-pixel calculation technology, and length-measurement inspection approach differentiate it from competitors using conventional shape-comparison inspection.
Inspec serves enterprise customers in semiconductor package substrate manufacturing, flexible printed circuit (FPC) production, lead frame fabrication, PCB manufacturing, and touch panel/display production. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time equipment sales (quote-based pricing, not publicly disclosed), supplemented by recurring maintenance contracts, operator training, spare parts, and software options (verification, data mapping, offline teaching, defect classification). The go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales in Japan (Tokyo office plus regional support centers in Nagano, Shiga, Akita) with a Taiwan subsidiary (Inspec Taiwan Inc.) and the Hong Kong-based WWG channel partnership for Greater China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. Headcount stood at 85 as of May 2026, FY2026 revenue was ¥2,478,950 thousand, and net income recovered to ¥76,855 thousand after a prior-year loss.
Inspec firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Inspec
- Legal name
- Inspec Inc.
- Website
- https://inspec21.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Inspec Inc. is a Japanese listed manufacturer of automated optical inspection (AOI) and direct imaging equipment for semiconductor package substrates, flexible printed circuits, lead frames, and PCBs, serving electronics manufacturers globally through direct sales and channel partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Inspec industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automated Optical Inspection Equipment
- NAICS
- Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Inspection, Checkweighing & Detection Systems (Vision, Metal, X-ray) (IMALAOAH)
Keywords
Where Inspec is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Senboku
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices7 records
Markets served
Inspec business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Inspection Equipment Sales: Sale of visual inspection systems (AOI machines) including substrate AOI, roll-to-roll AOI, and automatic transport inspection equipment. This represents the primary revenue stream.
- Direct Imaging Equipment Sales: Sale of roll-to-roll direct imaging systems (RD series) for exposure of flexible printed circuits, including the flagship RD3000FB dual-side simultaneous exposure system.
- Maintenance and Support Services: Recurring revenue from maintenance contracts, periodic inspections, operator training, and spare parts services to ensure stable equipment operation.
- Software Options and Upgrades: Sales of software options including soft verification systems, data mapping systems, and offline teaching systems.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Equipment pricing varies by model specifications and configuration |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Inspec product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Inspec Inc. is a research and development manufacturer of visual inspection (AOI) and direct imaging equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry. The portfolio centers on substrate AOI (SX series) for semiconductor packages, roll-to-roll AOI (RA series) for flexible substrates, automatic transport inspection systems (LF, BP, BF series) for lead frames and PCB units, and roll-to-roll direct imaging exposure equipment (RD3000FB series) for long flexible printed circuits. Core technology combines in-house image processing, mechatronics, and optical sensing capabilities.
Product overview
Inspec is a research and development manufacturer of inspection and imaging equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry. The product portfolio centers on automated optical inspection (AOI) systems organized into three main categories: Substrate AOI (SX series) for PKG substrates, touch panels, and glass masks; Roll-to-Roll AOI (RA series) for flexible substrates and automotive film products; and Automatic Transport Inspection (LF, BP, BF series) for lead frames and PCB units. Supporting software products include verification systems (VP, VF series), offline teaching (TC series), and the Pentagon defect automatic classification system using proprietary iDSA algorithm. The company also offers direct imaging exposure equipment (RD3000FB series) for seamless double-sided exposure of long flexible circuits. Inspec's core technology combines image processing, mechatronics, and optical sensing capabilities in-house, enabling comprehensive visual inspection solutions from individual inspection units to inline production systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Pentagon: Defect automatic classification system using Inspec's original defect screening algorithm 'iDSA'
- RD3000FB
- LF7000 Series
- SX Series
- RA Series
- BP7200
- WE Series
Products and services
- SX3600/SX5600 High-end substrate AOI (Automated Optical Inspection) system supporting line/space resolution of 5μm/5μm. Performs ultra-high precision inspection from wiring pattern inspection to laser via inspection for PKG (package) substrates and touch panels. For semiconductor package substrate manufacturers.
- SX1000 Compact substrate AOI system with small footprint. Supports inspection in sheet, frame, or tray configurations for PCB individual units with line/space resolution of 15μm/15μm. For PCB manufacturers.
- SX6000G Glass mask-specific AOI inspection system supporting both transmitted and reflected illumination. Performs hole inspection and plain inspection for photomasks used in semiconductor manufacturing. For display and semiconductor photomask manufacturers.
- RA7100/RA7200 Roll-to-roll AOI systems that perform continuous high-speed inspection of film-based rolls. RA7100 supports 15μm L/S, RA7200 supports 8μm L/S. Handles product roll widths from 260mm to 500mm for flexible substrates. For FPC and flexible substrate manufacturers.
- RA7400 Series Roll-to-roll AOI system optimized for automotive film products. Achieves low-cost ultra-high-speed inspection with line/space resolution of 80μm/80μm. Product roll width: 250mm to 530mm. For automotive FPC manufacturers.
- LF7000 Series Automatic transport lead frame visual inspection equipment. Inspects raw materials and post-plating lead frames. Supports wiring inspection, hole inspection, and plain inspection. Minimum defect size: 10μm square. For lead frame manufacturers.
- BP7200 Automatic transport inspection system for JEDEC trays. Achieves ultra-high-speed inspection of 1.2 seconds per piece (for 10mm square pieces in 10x24 tray configuration). Supports PCB individual units. For PCB manufacturers.
- BF8000 Series Frame double-sided automatic inspection system. High-definition inspection with specialized lighting for inspection targets. Supports PCB frames. For PCB frame manufacturers.
- WE Series In-line AOI system designed to be incorporated into existing production lines. Supports line/space of 10μm/10μm with product roll width of 1,000mm. Targets touch panels, chip capacitors, and flexible substrates. For display and electronics manufacturers.
- RD3000FB Roll-to-roll seamless simultaneous double-sided direct imaging exposure system for long flexible printed circuits (FPC). Enables simultaneous front/back exposure without position alignment, supporting up to 6m seamless continuous exposure with minimum line/space of 70μm/70μm. Targets EV battery management systems (BMS), aerospace, and medical device applications. For FPC manufacturers.
Quantifiable outcome
- RD3000FB achieves 2x production efficiency through dual-side simultaneous exposure
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Inspec
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Inspec technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature6 records
Inspec partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Hong Kong WWG (World Wide Semi-Conductor Equipment Co. Ltd.)coreWWG serves as Inspec's primary sales agent and exhibition partner for Greater China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia markets. WWG manages booth presence at major regional trade shows including HKPCA Show, CPCA Show, SEMICON China, THECA Show, and Intelligent Asia Thailand, facilitating market expansion and customer engagement in Asia.
- Taiwan TKK (Taiwan Kong King Co., Ltd.)minorHistorical general sales agency partnership established in 2011 for Taiwan market distribution.
- Akita Northern HappinetsminorCorporate sponsorship of Akita Northern Happinets, a professional basketball team based in Akita Prefecture, supporting regional sports and community engagement.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Inspec competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- KLA Corporation: Global leader in semiconductor process control and yield management, including optical inspection for advanced packaging substrates; a much larger incumbent whose Orbotech subsidiary directly competes with Inspec in PCB and substrate AOI.
- ASMPT (ASMPT Limited): Major semiconductor and SMT assembly equipment manufacturer with AOI inspection product lines targeting advanced packaging and SMT customers; broader portfolio and scale make it a broad incumbent comparable to Inspec's PKG substrate focus.
- Hitachi High-Tech: Manufactures semiconductor metrology and inspection equipment and is a major Japanese competitor to Inspec in the domestic semiconductor inspection market, with broader portfolio and deeper R&D resources.
- Omron Corporation: Japanese industrial automation leader with factory automation and component inspection product lines including AOI for PCB and FPC manufacturing; broad incumbent overlapping with Inspec's automation and inspection offerings.
Direct peers
- Test Research, Inc. (TRI): Taiwan-based AOI and ICT equipment maker with strong PCB inspection product lines; serves the same Greater China and Southeast Asia customer base as Inspec via a similar trade-show-driven channel model.
- CyberOptics: US-based developer of optical and inductive inspection sensors for SMT and semiconductor inspection, with multi-reflection suppression and 3D imaging technology overlapping Inspec's high-end inspection offerings.
- Viscom AG: German manufacturer of AOI, AXI, and SPI inspection systems serving automotive electronics and semiconductor packaging customers; competes with Inspec in high-precision X-ray and optical inspection categories.
- Mirtec: South Korea-based AOI/optical inspection equipment manufacturer focused on SMT and semiconductor package inspection; directly overlaps with Inspec's substrate and lead-frame inspection offerings.
- Saki Corporation: Japanese AOI specialist serving PCB assembly and semiconductor package substrate manufacturers with 3D and 2D inspection systems; directly comparable product overlap with Inspec's SX and RA series for SMT/PCB customers.
Regional players
- Komatsu NTC: Japanese precision equipment manufacturer with semiconductor and electronics manufacturing equipment lines; serves the same Japanese customer base as Inspec with comparable scale in adjacent manufacturing-equipment categories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Inspec social profiles
Digital presenceInspec compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Inspec financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Inspec leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Inspec subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Inspec funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Inspec M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Inspec
What does Inspec do?
Inspec Inc. is a research and development manufacturer of visual inspection (AOI) and direct imaging equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry. The portfolio centers on substrate AOI (SX series) for semiconductor packages, roll-to-roll AOI (RA series) for flexible substrates, automatic transport inspection systems (LF, BP, BF series) for lead frames and PCB units, and roll-to-roll direct imaging exposure equipment (RD3000FB series) for long flexible printed circuits. Core technology combines in-house image processing, mechatronics, and optical sensing capabilities.
Is Inspec a public or private company?
Inspec is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Inspec founded?
Inspec was founded in 1984. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Inspec based?
Inspec is headquartered in Senboku, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Inspec make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Inspection Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are direct Imaging Equipment Sales, maintenance and Support Services and software Options and Upgrades.
Who are Inspec's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are KLA Corporation, ASMPT (ASMPT Limited), Hitachi High-Tech and Omron Corporation. Direct peers are Test Research, Inc. (TRI), CyberOptics, Viscom AG, Mirtec and Saki Corporation. Komatsu NTC is listed as a regional player.
Does Inspec have an API?
No public API is recorded for Inspec.
What industry is Inspec in?
Inspec's product category is Automated Optical Inspection Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAOAH, Inspection, Checkweighing & Detection Systems (Vision, Metal, X-ray). Its NAICS code is 333242 and its SIC code is 3823.