Development Test Fixtures

The estimated starting prices listed above are for the initial test fixture with 50 single-sided test points with bare test probe receptacles.

• This assumes the Device Under Test (DUT) follows our Design For Test (DFT) guidelines.
• Integrating Automated Test Equipment (ATE) changes the classification of a Test Fixture into a Test System. They have a higher price to complete the system-level architecture, electrical design work, and defining and executing a system validation plan.

Low Cost and Shortest Lead Time

• Designed to save time testing low volumes of prototypes.

Firmware Development

• Add hardware in the loop (HIL) tests as firmware features are developed.
• Automated continuous integration testing of new firmware releases.

Engineering Testing

• Quickly test multiple circuit boards while only having to connect instrumentation once.

Production Test Development

• Start developing test specifications before locking the board design and layout.
• Reduces the risk of production delays due to last-minute changes and updates needed to implement production tests

Low-Volume Production Testing

• For low-volume products, the reduced cost of a development test fixture can help make using a test fixture feasible.
• Can be used for production testing while you wait for a more robust fixture to be developed.

The Dev Pro is the most recent addition to the FixturFab Development Fixtures product line. With a maximum testing area of 170mm x 130mm it can handle the majority of circuit boards that we have needed to test. Don’t worry, a larger version is in the works too! The Pro-Series development fixtures feature:

• a linear closing movement, where the last 10mm of lid travel is vertical for improved reliability.
• exchangeable cartridges to save time and money when the test fixture needs to be updated.

Cartridge Types

The MDF cartridge is rapidly manufactured. It can be delivered within two weeks and features a probe plate populated with receptacles that can be wire-wrapped or soldered. For higher volumes, a machined G10 fiberglass plate is also available.

The Auto-Cartridge builds on our Auto-TPCB design tools to create a PCB-based cartridge to enable rapid development of test systems. Receptacles are soldered directly to both the top and bottom PCBs of the cartridge, with the bottom PCB also containing connectors to interface with various instrumentation.

We also support Turnkey TPCB’s, which can contain various interface and support circuitry. The cartridges can be quickly swapped out on our Pro-Series development fixtures using a 2mm and 3mm Hex Screwdrivers.

Our standard series of Development Fixtures are available in two different sizes and are great for initial product and test development. The Dev Fixture has a working area of up to 196mm x 180mm and the Dev XL has a working area of 218mm x 447mm.

Traditionally test fixture development isn’t started until near the end of the product development cycle, typically during the Design Validation Testing (DVT) and/or Production Validation Testing (PVT) phases, due to the fluid nature of the circuit board design in the initial stages of product development and the high-cost and low-flexibility of a mass-production capable fixture.

FixturFab’s Development Test Fixtures use lower-cost materials and faster fabrication methods (Laser-Cutting, Quick-Turn PCB Manufacturing). While these fixtures are not designed to withstand the strains of mass-producing hundreds of thousands of units, they’re more than capable of testing hundreds to several thousand, getting you through your production pilot.