Dresden, Germany
Cicor Germany has installed a new Takaya flying probe tester and, by implementing it as an in-line system, has expanded its production capacity
The growing complexity of electronics manufacturing, coupled with the ongoing miniaturisation of electronic assemblies, has continued unabated since the turn of the millennium. New technologies such as embedded PCBs, in which electronic components (such as ICs, resistors, or capacitors) are integrated (“embedded”) directly into the inner layers of the printed circuit board, require test coverage that is as complete as possible. In this context, considering the mentioned miniaturisation of electronics, more and more developers are foregoing the provision of sufficient test points (at least 1 per network, preferably 2 for high requirements regarding load or accuracy, e.g., Kelvin) or are even forced to do so due to lack of space. Therefore, the flying probe test system with movable probes is ideally suited for thoroughly testing such assemblies in preparation for functional testing and ensuring their subsequent perfect functionality.
Cicor Deutschland GmbH responded to this development by purchasing the APT-2600FD-A flying probe tester from TAKAYA Corporation (launched in March 2025). It replaces the APT-9411CE (also from TAKAYA Corporation), which was purchased in 2006. In making this purchase, Cicor Deutschland is relying on the manufacturer’s many years of experience in software and hardware and reserves the right to transfer existing test programs to the new machine. Thanks to the added functionalities, it is possible to further optimise the test programs in terms of turnaround time and test depth and to increase the efficiency of the test procedure for existing products.
The new tester makes it possible to test assemblies on both sides or, depending on the layout, to test networks whose access points are not located on the same side of the PCB. This allows for greater test coverage. In addition, six test points can now be contacted simultaneously instead of the previous four, which improves the options for stimulating and programming circuit components. PCBs with a maximum size of 540 mm x 483 mm can be tested at a speed of up to 50 tests per second and with a test probe positioning accuracy of ±25 µm. Test points may be defined on the PCB with a minimum pad size of 50 µm and a minimum spacing of 150 µm.
The automatic loading and unloading of the PCBs to be tested enables inline operation of the flying prober. The LPE-2M loader and LPA-2M/QV unloader from RG Elektrotechnologie GmbH can each accommodate two of the ESD PCB magazines used as standard at CID (Type 703.2 from cab Produkttechnik Gesellschaft für Computer- und Automations-Bausteine mbH & Co KG). This corresponds to the pass/fail sorting mode. In this mode, the unloader sorts the PCBs into the appropriate magazine based on the test results transmitted by the flying probe tester. For this data exchange, the machines are connected to each other via a SMEMA interface (standard in electronics manufacturing).
Until now, the steps mentioned above had to be performed entirely by test floor personnel. Thanks to the tester’s inline capability, these personnel can now focus on special tests or the processing of assemblies at non-automated test stations. A traffic-light system and audible signals on the loader, flying probe tester, and unloader allow for the proper operation of the machine to be monitored and always verified. In the future, by expanding the loader or unloader, autonomous operation similar to that of an employee is conceivable, regardless of the time of day or day of the week. Of course, circuit boards can also be loaded and tested manually as before, as may be necessary, for example, in the case of rework or complaints.
With this investment in a new flying probe test system, Cicor Deutschland is strengthening its position as a reliable EMS partner within the international Cicor Group and underscoring its commitment to systematically automating standard processes in order to continuously improve manufacturing quality for the benefit of our customers and remain a reliable partner for the future.
Tobias Zeidler
Engineering/Prüffeld, Cicor Deutschland GmbH