Fixtures

Test fixture for PCB testing

By working together with well-known fixture manufacturers, we ensure the reliability and accuracy of the test fixtures. These fixtures are ESD compliant and made for volume production.

We try to minimize the operator interference as much as possible by avoiding operator input like pressing a button or to observe a LED. This makes the test much more robust and independent.

Needle bed fixtures

The most common fixture is the needle bed. The needles normally connect to the bottom of the circuit board but can also be made to connect from the top, or from the side if needed.

A needle bed fixture is optimal for high volume production and is also required for boards with test points on the PCB.

A PCB for needle bed testing must have guiding holes in the PCB that is used when placing the board on the fixture plate. The plate also has board-guides to ensure correct positioning.

After the board is placed on the fixture the operator will close the pressure frame unit using the handle. Now pushrods will press the board against the fixture plate which will be lowered, and the needles will come up and connect to the test points on the PCB.

We deliver stand alone fixtures specified for each product or a platform fixture with exchangeable cassettes.

Stand-alone fixtures

The most common needle bed fixture is the stand-alone version where you test one specific product. You can test one or several boards at the same time. All the hardware required to do the testing is placed inside the fixture.

Fixtures of different sizes (small and mid-size)

Platform fixtures with cassettes

This can be a good idea if you have many similar products and the test hardware is more expensive. The test hardware can be reused for several different products. The draw back compared to a stand-alone fixture is that only one product at a time can be tested.

To change between different products, you swap between interchangeable cassettes.

The needle bed on the cassette connects to the product to be tested. The needles are wired to connectors on the back side of the cassette. These connectors are connected to the platform fixture, giving access to the test hardware.

An option is to make a custom PCB that access the needles instead of wiring each needle.

Connector fixture

A more affordable alternative to a needle bed is to use connector interfaces. With this setup the board will be tested by accessing the signals normally found on the external connectors on the board under test. This is an appropriate solution for low volume production, and when there is no need to access internal testpoints on the board.