Everett Charles Technologies’ (ECT) Mechanical Bench Top Cassette System in one standard size is the entry level bench top test fixture that allows interchangeable cassettes to be used to further reduce fixturing costs. Mechanical Bench Top Cassette System enables reliable spring test probe access to small and medium sized PCBAs. Its cleaver design offers an advanced set of features as standard.

One smooth continual action closes the top assembly, provides linear travel, and compresses the fixture mounted probes. Interchangeable cassettes connected via a two position VG/Pylon interface, are used to allow the unit to be used for more than one product (interface blocks should be ordered separately). The Mechanical Bench Top Cassette System will compress 100 8 oz probes. It is equipped with a probe protection / UUT (unit under test) support plate and offers a top probing option. The removable back panel allows custom cut-outs for test equipment connections. This receiver will accommodate the JTAG technologies JT 5705/FXT single board test system, by simply plugging the hardware directly onto the rear of the internal VG/Pylon interface.

Constructed from lightweight materials and designed with folding lifting handles the Mechanical Bench Top Cassette System facilitates operations.

As with all ECT fixture kits, this product can be customized, providing full drill pin and wire, including automated finger and support placement. If the fixture is to be used, ECT’s Test Fixture Maintenance Guide (http://ect-fsg.com/test-fixture-maintenance-guideline) can be applied for all ECT ICT and FCT fixtures.

Please contact ECT for more information http://ect-fsg.com/contact-form

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The Fixture Press Adapter allows for separating the actuation hardware from the core functions of the fixture. The actuation is taken over by the Fixture Press Adapter, which can receive the exchangeable fixtures. The fixture itself can be designed fully dedicated to the actual test without components for actuation. The reduced complexity of the fixture substantially lowers the fixture cost and shortens the lead time. Additionally, the lowered weight and the smaller fixture size provide enhanced ease of operation and reduce the space requirements for storing.

The Fixture Press Adapter is placed onto an existing ICT machine. Inside the adapter, internal connections remap the ICT test interface to the ECT VG 12 block VG (Pylon) interface. Since the adapter has a built-in linear pneumatic press, cassette type fixtures can be quickly loaded into the system for board test. Loading the upper and lower cassette items takes less than 15 seconds.

The ECT Fixture Press Adapter supports PCBAs up to 400 mm x 210 mm and a maximum cylinder travel of 250 mm with an operational speed of 1 to 1.1 seconds. The ECT Fixture Press Adapter is able to deliver a force of up to 8700 N, which corresponds to compressing 3150 8oz probes.

Contact us at marcom_ECT-FSG@Xcerra.com to request the data sheet of the ECT Fixture Press Adapter with more technical information

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ECT’s Fixture Services Group offers customization for both In Circuit Test as well as Functional Test Fixtures. ECT experts provide support for Supply Chain and Product/Project managers with our ability to offer worldwide fixture duplication and global test fixture installation and support with manufacturing and service centers in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Mexico.

With the application of global fixture standards that are developed in close cooperation with our customers, ECT ensures exact duplication of test fixtures that can be manufactured and deployed globally.

The global product and service portfolio of ECT includes ICT Test Fixtures, FCT Test Fixtures, VG Mass Interconnect Systems, Total Solution Turn Key Projects, Pneumatic Fixtures, Dual Stage, Dual Access, Loopbacks, Bare board and Backplane Test fixtures,

Scott Manty, Director of Sales, explains: “The standardization of parts on a global scale allows us to ensure that the same quality standards are adhered to for meeting the demanding requirements of today’s test industry wherever your product is manufactured. Our ability to deliver, install and support almost anywhere in the world give our customers the advantage of knowing that assistance is very close for part or process change support or ECO implementation.”

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The ECT Pneumatic Actuated Keysight 307x In-Circuit Test Fixture supports ESD safe test of complex PCBAs with 39 mil center-to-center test points. It allows for testing in two stages with 80% of the test contact occurring in the 2nd stage using long travel probes. These dual stage tests usually apply for ICs that also require cooling during power up testing.

Leveraging ECT’s unique fixture design and engineering skills, the optimized manufacturing process and quality controls, the Pneumatic Actuated Keysight 307x In-Circuit Test Fixture is a reliable test solution with consistent quality and short delivery times of less than 20 days, which supports the fastest time to market of the end product.

Thomas Merline, Director of North America Sales, explains: “We continue to successfully complete multiple customer projects, deployed in North America and Asia, with this solution for the in-circuit test of complex PCBAs. Our solution fully met the expectations and provided our customers a reliable and efficient test at their contract manufacturing sites.”

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Everett Charles Technologies’ (ECT) offers a detailed maintenance guide for both ICT and FCT fixtures and probes, which provides best practice techniques and processes. Maintaining the test fixture at optimum levels ensures the best test performance.

Production environments can have a direct impact on the performance of test fixtures and test equipment. Test environment is a large contributor to probe contamination due to flux coated test points on the PCB, nearby wave soldering machines, or even shop floor dust and dirt. High volume production and extended life production runs expose the fixtures to increasing stress and wear, and have driven the need for appropriate fixture maintenance. A test fixture is a precision measuring device that needs to be maintained at optimum levels to gain the best test possible.

In order to maximize the life of ECT, Ostby Barton, and Pylon test probes, ECT offers this compendium of recommended guidelines and cleaning procedures.

Thomas Merline, Director of North America Sales, explains: “Our highly skilled fixture and probe engineers have developed a detailed maintenance guide. It summarizes our best practices from decades of experience. Applying these processes our customers will benefit from extended life of their test equipment continued proper and consistent functioning and accurate test results during production testing.”

ECT’s Test Fixture Maintenance Guide can be applied for all ECT ICT and FCT fixtures. To learn more, please visit: http://ect-fsg.com/test-fixture-maintenance-guideline

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Everett Charles Technologies (ECT) has developed a detailed fixture specification guideline to ensure the highest quality standards possible are met for every fixture project. The comprehensive list of ICT (in-circuit test) fixture standard specifications and options has been developed by the experienced engineering team at ECT and ensures that quality is designed into the fixture from the beginning.

The guideline leverages ECT’s years of experience in test fixture manufacturing. It is continuously updated to consider innovations in test fixtures technologies and field feedback. It allows any customer to benefit from ECT’s extensive fixture knowledge without dedicating internal resources. By keeping to the ECT standard the customer can expect the lowest cost and quickest turn for their project with consistent quality. However, if required every line item of the specification can be adjusted to comply with the customer’s specific project requirements.

Thomas Merline, Director of North America Sales, explains: “Our Fixture Specification Guideline ensures fast and optimized fixture specification definition before production. Our customers will be able to shorten delivery times and ensure that the fixture capabilities and performance will meet their expectations. With this guideline we directly share our expert knowledge with our customers. This goes beyond a typical supplier role. We partner with our customers to make them successful.”

ECT’s Fixture Specification Guideline can be applied for all ICT fixtures.

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Everett Charles Technologies (ECT) introduces a new vacuum actuated test mechanism: the ECT Pneumatic Dual Stage Fixture. This new test fixture ensures predictable and reliable operation in high volume production, cycle after cycle.

The new ECT Pneumatic Dual Stage Fixture minimizes down time by eliminating or minimizing jamming, adjustments to the mechanism, and other manual tasks typically encountered during PCBA testing with current industry solutions. The ECT design addresses the common shortcomings of existing solutions and is crucial for extending probe life and improving the cost of test. The ECT Pneumatic Dual Stage Fixture is easy to operate. It allows the operator to retest or repeat the 1st and 2nd stage tests during debug.

The ECT Pneumatic Dual Stage Fixture protects against damage to the fixture probes, the PCBA and other expensive components. In the event of a power failure to the fixture and tester during 2nd stage testing, the fixture can still be manually released and freed from its dual stage mode. The ECT Pneumatic Dual Stage Fixture substantially reduces testing cycle-time and enhances production through-put.

Ned Kottmeyer, Vice President and General Manager – Xcerra/FSG, comments: “The ECT Pneumatic Dual Stage Fixture solution offers reliable and maintenance-free operation. Our solution was developed in concert with CM and OEM customers to be optimized for high volume PCBA testing.”

Read more about ICT / FCT Probes

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