Hello Alanna,

Often people think of ICT when they think of manufacturing tests. This requires a custom clamshell fixture that is fine for large-scale production of a product that stays consistent for years. ICT does not benefit medium-scale, prototype OEMs. Thankfully, the important I/O for any board go to connectors.

The use of connectors to do a functional test has multiple benefits:

• Allows for any employee to plug in circuit boards to run tests.
• Access to the board during testing/after testing to debug.
• So long as the connectors stay the same, components on the circuit board can change and still have a test that works.

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"But doesn't functional test require expensive test engineers and long development periods?"

This is an excellent question, and one that has been brought to CAE Integration before. Hence, we will be discussing the use of connectors to improve cost efficiencies in functional test.

When cables are selected for the UUT connection, it opens up cost savings opportunities regarding test coverage. Connectorized test allows the fixture to be constructed in an open-frame fashion allowing your technicians to diagnose failing boards by probing with their oscilloscope or multimeter. Clamshell fixtures just don’t offer access to human measurements.

We specialize in assisting OEMs with new product launches, production ramp-up, and manufacturing line support. Our focus is on meeting manufacturing needs while reducing the burden on engineering. With our team designing and supporting tests tailored to your manufacturing processes, your development team can dedicate their time and energy to innovating the next product.