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TAKAYA APT-9600CE – For Simultaneous Double-Sided
Board Testing
May 2007 | posted by D
Claxton
The most-advanced Takaya in the
APT-9000CE series, designed for small to medium-sized PCB’s, has a
total of six flying probes (4 top & 2 bottom) that flexibly move over
and under the boards at the same time. The XY moving mechanisms on top
are inherited from the existing APT-9411 series, ensuring high
precision and stable probe contact at high speed. The advantages of
using the APT-9600CE include two flying probes and a CCD camera added
to the bottom side. The board is contacted by the moving probes
simultaneously from both sides. The Apt-9600CE eliminates the
difficulties of testing SMT boards, where test points are only
available on the bottom side of the PCB being tested. The system
improves test coverage and reduces the test time, which gives the
system greater flexibility and efficiency for the test process.
The positioning accuracy and the moving speed of the flying probes on
the topside are the same as the APT-9411 series system. The speed and
accuracy are of the highest level in the world for any Flying Probe
Test system. The APT-9600’s XY base is made of highly polished
granite. The accuracy remains unchanged even after years of prolonged
use, providing years of reliability.
The XY moving mechanisms on the bottom side uses a silent belt-driven
system. With an effective inclusion of an AC servo motor, the
APT-9600CE can achieve a fast smooth operation of the bottom flying
probes whilst ensuring the positional accuracy.
Users can choose the flying support post option) that moves up and
down, (the Z-axis) on an electric motor, thus stabilizing the probing
contact while cutting down warpage and any bouncing of PCBs caused by
top side probing. The distance of the Z movement of the flying support
post is user-configurable to be optimal according to the board
thickness.
The APT-9600CE incorporates a high performance image-processing unit
that ensures reliable and accurate automatic optical test. CCD cameras
and the LED lighting systems are installed on both sides to offer dual
sided AOI coverage. This is coupled with the image processing software
that uses advanced algorithms. The tester is capable of inspecting for
missing, misalignment or reversed components on both sides of the
board simultaneously.
The IC open sensors are available as an option for both sides. The
APT-9600CE can detect unsoldered IC leads for parallel IC circuits on
the bottom side using this option.
Soon to be available is a virtual camera function. Using the CCD
camera in an automatic mode, each section of the PCB will be scanned.
After the scan is complete, the software merges all the individual
photos into a complete real image. This virtual camera function will
facilitate easier operation, such as data checks and should allow
simple changes on the real image without any additional movement of
the CCD camera. Additionally after testing of a PCB, the faulty
component data or point will be displayed clearly on the real image,
reducing the time to analyse and repair faulty PCBs.
To make a double-sided test program, users merely create and load two
programs for each side of the PCB. These programs would have been
generated using CAD data, using a CAD conversion test program
generation software available from various suppliers. Once the
programs are loaded in to the Takaya software, which converts the
program using it’s own built in converter for the APT-9600, the PCB is
tested from both sides. In addition, with the new software, the
program debug can be completed in a shorter time due to the real image
map function and versatile auto-configuration functions.
To meet the needs or preferences of the user, the APT-9600CE is
provided with an interface which can be used for connecting other test
systems, meter and power supplies which can enhance the test coverage
further. In addition, an in-line conveyor unit can be built-to-order
to establish full automatic operation.
According to Graham South, Itochu’s Takaya Product Manager, “We
believe this model to be the first double-sided, simultaneous flying
probe test system in the UK at this time”. He continues, “As with all
other systems in the Takaya range, we are able to offer this latest
system within our very successful “Rent to Buy” programme, which
allows customers to acquire the latest fixtureless testing technology
whilst offsetting the capital expenditure commitment until the system
has proven its worth”.
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