Rapidly increasing complexity of PCB assemblies makes visual defect detection nearly impossible. Receiving a PCBA without electrical verification can significantly delay design verification of prototypes and system integration of low volume PCBAs. The cost and time to develop fixture based in-circuit testing (ICT) is prohibitive in the prototype stage and the investment in ICT or functional test is tough to justify for low volume manufacturing.
Vergent Products offers a solution – flying probe fixtureless testing based on parametric test of each component. Fixtureless test development is low cost and very fast. There is no costly fixture to design and build. Tests are generated from CAD information which enables a high degree of test coverage and flexibility.
Testing your low volume products and prototypes allows for detection and repair of electrical defects such as wrong parts, reversed parts, missing parts, solder opens, and major solder defects. Fixtureless testing can help you improve your products time-to-market by achieving the highest possible quality levels early in the product life cycle. Fixtureless test allows your engineers to focus their efforts on prototype design verification instead of debugging process issues.
Fixtureless testers use a flexible moving probe system. Multiple probes are automatically moved very rapidly to various test points on the assembly – hence the name: “flying probe”. These probes are capable of static DC voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, and inductance measurements. Test points are derived from CAD data to ensure accuracy and to maximize test coverage.
Here is a brief description of some of the features of the Seica S40 has to offer:
1>Four independently moving topside contact probes; Test speeds up to 12 – 20 tests per second
2>Test area up to 16” x 20”
3>Positioning repeatability accuracy of +/- 0.12mils; Minimum positioning resolution of +- 0.20 mils in each axes
4>Minimum probe contact pitch of 0.12 mils between probe pins; Minimum pad size of 4.0 mils
5>Maximum component height of 0.9 inches including board thickness
6>Automated optical inspection, in-circuit programming, and boundary scan functional test capable (optional)
For best turn around time on board test program generation and debug please provide:
1>Schematics
2>ASCII CAD data
3>Raw card
4>Populated board
The test development NRE charges are very reasonable.
