Dev Pro PCB Test Fixtures

Dev Pro bridges prototyping and production. Vertical actuation delivers precise, repeatable probe contact across 5,000–10,000 test cycles. Exchangeable cartridges mean new board designs require a cartridge swap — not a new fixture. And it all ships in the same 2-3 weeks as a Dev fixture.

Why Dev Pro fixtures#

Vertical actuation. The last 10mm of travel is vertically actuated — probes hit pads squarely and consistently across thousands of cycles. No re-seating boards, no wondering whether contact is the problem. This is the fundamental difference from Dev's clamshell: repeatable probe alignment at every cycle.

Exchangeable cartridges. One base, multiple board designs. When your board changes, you order a new cartridge — not a new fixture. Hex wrench swap, no recalibration. See the cartridge documentation for details.

Dual-side probing. Access test points on both sides of the board — a capability Dev fixtures don't support. Critical for boards where bottom-side components or pads need contact during test.

Same 2-3 week delivery. Despite the step up in mechanism and materials, Dev Pro ships on the same timeline as Dev. 1-2 business days expedited when timelines are critical.

Cartridge economics#

The Dev Pro base is a one-time investment: ~$699 for a standard base, ~$799 with either the Carbon or Tall variant, ~$899 with both. That base holds everything — the vertical actuation mechanism, alignment hardware, and signal interface.

When your board design changes, you order a new cartridge. A new cartridge costs roughly the same as a complete Dev fixture — but you're only replacing the board-specific top plate, not the entire fixture.

Replica cartridges — reordering the same design for additional units or replacements — run 50–60% of the original cartridge price. The design already exists in our system.

Five board designs over a product lifecycle means five cartridges on one base, not five separate fixtures. The base is an investment. Cartridges are the recurring cost — and they get cheaper.

Production fixtures use the same exchangeable cartridge system. Dev Pro is where it becomes available.

Specifications#

The Carbon variant (~$99 upgrade) replaces the standard frame with an aluminum pressure frame and PA6-CF (carbon fiber reinforced nylon) 3D-printed parts. Greater rigidity, extended lifecycle to ~10,000 cycles, and premium fit and finish.

The Tall variant (~$99 upgrade) doubles internal base height from 70mm to 140mm, providing additional space for instrumentation, wiring, and accessories beneath the cartridge.

XXL bases are available in Carbon configurations only, with G10 cartridges only.

Configuration options#

Configure your Dev Pro fixture in Studio with instant pricing. You'll choose:

• Base size: Standard (170mm x 145mm), XL (232mm x 151mm), or XXL (285mm x 240mm)
• Carbon variant: ~$99 upgrade — aluminum frame + PA6-CF, extends lifecycle to ~10,000 cycles
• Tall variant: ~$99 upgrade — doubles internal height from 70mm to 140mm for instrumentation
• Cartridge material: MDF or G10 (XXL: G10 only)
• Signal interface: How your instrumentation connects to the fixture — see signal interface options

XXL is available in Carbon and Tall+Carbon configurations only.

When to choose Dev Pro#

Managing board revisions. Exchangeable cartridges mean each revision is a cartridge order, not a fixture order. Your base stays, your cartridge swaps.

Testing multiple products on one base. Teams with 2-5 active board designs consolidate to fewer test stations. One base, multiple cartridges.

Moderate volumes. 1,000 to 10,000 boards over a fixture's life — pre-production validation, pilot runs, low-rate production.

Deploying to a CM for pilot runs. Contract manufacturers expect professional tooling. Dev Pro's vertical actuation and robust construction meet board house acceptance standards.

You need dual-side probing. Access both sides of the board during test — Dev fixtures don't support this.

Running high-volume manufacturing? Production fixtures are built for millions of cycles with advanced capabilities like side probing, high voltage protection, and RF shielding.

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, pick your base size and signal interface. Pricing shows immediately — most configurations take under ten minutes.

Compare all three tiers to see which fits your testing stage.