You may have seen this being mentioned on PCB manufacturing websites everywhere. Flying probe testing is a critical part of all good manufacturing PCB houses. It helps ensure the quality and functionality of every PCB that gets manufactured.
So, what are they? Flying Probe Testers are a type of in-circuit test equipment that does not require a bed of nail fixtures. They’re sharp needles connected to a test circuit on one end, precisely controlled by robotic arms or X, Y, Z gantry systems. They swiftly move across a PCB, accessing various points like test pads, SMD Pads, and unmasked vias. These probes quickly check for shorts, opens, resistance, capacitance, and other basic quantities, verifying if a board was correctly fabricated.
The netlist of the PCB is fed into the system, and the flying probe tester, along with a camera vision system, determines the probe points. They’re probed and tested for connections at a rapid speed, similar to how multimeters perform a continuity test. The movement is fast, precise, and can handle high-density PCBs with ease.
The beauty of these testers is their flexibility. You don’t need custom fixtures anymore for every PCB, making them ideal for any volume manufacturing runs, thus reducing manufacturing costs.
These automated devices and testers are one of the few major factors in driving down the prices of PCB manufacturing over the last few years, making PCBs dirt cheap.
