Dev fixtures are the fastest path from design files to professional PCB testing. Built for EVT/DVT teams, first-time fixture buyers, and engineers replacing clip leads or failed DIY setups, a Dev fixture gets you testing in weeks — not months.
Why Dev fixtures#
Speed over durability. MDF construction and clamshell actuation minimize lead time. Dev fixtures ship in 2-3 weeks standard — or 1-2 business days expedited. Traditional vendors are still working through their quote cycle in the time it takes us to deliver a finished fixture.
Priced for iteration. At ~$999, ordering a new fixture for the next board revision is a line item, not a committee decision. When you're iterating through EVT and DVT, fixture cost shouldn't gate your development cycle. A week of engineer time costs more than a Dev fixture.
Your first professional fixture. If you've been testing with clip leads, hand probing, or a DIY fixture that creates more diagnostic questions than it answers — Dev is where most teams start. You get a custom bed-of-nails fixture designed from your actual board files, manufactured and assembled, ready to use out of the box.
What Dev fixtures don't do#
Dev fixtures use clamshell actuation — a hinged top plate that swings closed over the board. This works well for moderate test point counts and standard pad sizes, but it's less precise than vertical actuation at higher densities. Complex boards with tight pitches may need re-seating for reliable contact.
Dev fixtures don't support exchangeable cartridges. Every new board design means a new fixture. They don't support dual-side probing. And at ~1,000 test cycles, they're designed for development use, not sustained production.
For vertical actuation, 5x–10x the cycle life, dual-side probing, and exchangeable cartridges that let you swap board designs on a single base, see Dev Pro. For factory-grade durability with pneumatic actuation and advanced capabilities, see Production.
Specifications#
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Actuation | Clamshell |
| Test cycle lifetime | ~1,000 cycles |
| Base sizes | Standard (196mm x 180mm), XL (218mm x 447mm) |
| Construction | Acrylic & MDF base |
| Cartridge materials | MDF or G10 (G10 recommended at 100+ test points) |
| Exchangeable cartridges | No |
| Dual-side probing | No |
| Delivery | 2-3 weeks (1-2 business days expedited) |
Configuration options#
Configure your Dev fixture in Studio with instant pricing. You'll choose:
- Base size: Standard (196mm x 180mm) or XL (218mm x 447mm)
- Cartridge material: MDF is the default. G10 is recommended at 100+ test points for improved durability and dimensional stability (~$99–199 upgrade)
- Signal interface: How your instrumentation connects to the fixture — see signal interface options
When to choose Dev#
Still iterating board design. EVT and DVT boards change frequently. At Dev pricing, a new fixture per revision is practical.
First professional fixture. Replacing clip leads, pogo jigs, or a DIY setup that isn't scaling. Dev is the entry point.
Low volume, tight budget. You need to test, not build a test infrastructure. Dev gets you there without overbuilding.
Need cartridge flexibility, vertical actuation, or dual-side probing? Dev Pro adds those capabilities at the same 2-3 week delivery.
Ready to configure?#
Have your board design files (Gerbers and a test point report, ODB++, or IPC-D-356 file) and a sense of which nets you want to test. Upload your files in Studio, select test points, and pick a base size. Pricing shows immediately — most configurations take under ten minutes.
Configure your Dev fixture
Upload your design files, select test points, and get instant pricing. Most configurations take under ten minutes.