The Test Jigs are essential elements in the production of electronic equipment. The term comes from the English “Test jig”, which is why “jiga” with j — different from “giga”, the international system's prefix for 109.
They are the equipment used for electronic board tests. The plates, in turn, are elementary components of any electronic device, from the simplest — such as calculators and garage controls - to the most complex, such as smartphones and notebooks.
After assembling the board — which is designed to meet the needs of the equipment to which it belongs — it is necessary to verify that it is working as expected. That's where the test jigs comes in.
What are test jigs
Jigs are exclusive equipment for the production of plates, made only for this purpose and in limited quantities. Its function is to test all the functions of the electronic board. In the case of a notebook, for example, it simulates all external components, such as the keyboard, trackpad, LCD, etc.
The purpose of a jiga is to minimize test time and the manual operations performed by an operator, ensuring greater efficiency of the production line. The greater the automation of tests, the greater the standardization of production and the reduction of human errors.
Jigas can be divided into two groups, depending on the tests they perform:
- ICT Jigs (In-circuit testing)
- Functional Test Jigs (FCT)
How do ICT Jigs work
In ICT Jigs, the boards are tested without the need to energize the board or just some parts of the circuits. The purpose of this jig is to ensure that the circuit is fully functioning before being turned on.
Normally, the ICT jack is a device with a common test base in which a matrix of pins (fixture) is embedded with the specific connections of each plate — commonly referred to as a “nail bed”. An automated test system is connected and performs electrical measurements on the board.
The ICT tests and verifies short or open circuit points, component values (resistors, capacitors, etc.), or even if a sub-circuit is working properly, feeding only that area for testing.
ICT games, in addition, can include computer vision systems to verify things like correct placement of components on the board, inverting components, and other visual inspections. The recording of firmware on components such as memories and microcontrollers can also be included in this game.
This process, in addition to ensuring safety for assemblers, aims to minimize component burn on the board when it is turned on, which may cause the final equipment or even testing equipment to fail in the final stages of production.
How FCT Jigs Work
As, functional test jigs (FCT) test the overall functioning of the energized board. Here, all the functionalities of the board are tested. For example, in the case of a TV board, it should be tested if it displays images correctly, if all inputs are functioning, if the ports (USB, Ethernet) are communicating correctly, etc.
However, automation in an FCT chain presents greater challenges than ICT, due to the need for external connections, such as cables and operator interactions. There are also cases in which the final equipment requires an operator to validate and carry out the tests.
How to play FCT It depends on the operator's attention, and it is unable to operate more than one piece of equipment at the same time, it ends up taking longer to test each device.
To address this issue, Can robots be used in cases where it is necessary to simulate an interaction such as that of a human operator and the insertion and removal of cables can be automated with electronic circuits.
Automating the FCT jig is very important, as it provides a series of benefits, such as:
- Reduces damage caused by mishandling operators
- It increases the reliability of the tests
- Allows an operator to act on multiple jets
- Increase production
- Improves traceability, since everything is recorded
Automation challenges and how to overcome them
Unlike an ICT jig, where there are already commercial platforms that require less customization for each board, the FCT jig requires more comprehensive development.
Each product has unique characteristics, requiring a project that involves mechanical and electronic development and integration with final production.
Since test kits are indispensable in the production of any electronic device, it is important to think of ways to make them as efficient as possible. The automation of games reduces the need for operators and, consequently, The hour/man value of the tests, bringing great financial gains to the entire operation.
Count on Venturus to develop and automate your test games! Get in touch with us and talk to one of our experts.