Automatic Test Equipment: Its Role in Improving PCB Manufacture

Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) for both bare and loaded‐board testing has been in widespread use for some 14 years. During this time there have been a number of technological advances which have made these systems more efficient, easier to use, and more able to test complex circuits. In this period, however, the fundamental role of ATE has not changed. This role has been the detection and location of defects on the PCB, and the ATE is therefore monitoring or measuring the quality of the product. In the past year (1982/83) some new developments have taken place that have changed the fundamental role of ATE from defect detention to defect prevention. Information created by the ATE can now be utilised to determine the source of defects and correct the problem. The resulting lower number of defects increases the yield of good boards, reduces the amount of re‐work needed, increases the productivity of the PCB manufacturing area, and improves the quality of the end product. This move from ‘detection’ to ‘prevention’ turns the ATE into a ‘quality management’ device rather than simply a ‘quality monitoring’ device. This paper describes how such a quality management system operates, and the benefits to be derived from it.