Fixture Maintenance

Fixture Maintenance#

Proper maintenance extends fixture lifetime and maintains test reliability. This guide covers routine care, probe replacement, and troubleshooting common issues.

Routine Care#

Daily Operations

Before each shift:

• Visually inspect probe tips for damage or contamination
• Verify fixture opens and closes smoothly
• Check that alignment pins are straight and undamaged

During operation:

• Load boards gently—don't force boards into the nest
• Ensure boards are properly seated before closing fixture
• Remove debris (solder balls, component fragments) promptly

End of shift:

• Clean probe tips if testing flux-contaminated boards
• Leave fixture in open position to prevent probe compression

Weekly Maintenance

[PLACEHOLDER: Detailed weekly maintenance checklist including:

• Full probe inspection
• Cleaning procedures
• Mechanical inspection
• Calibration verification if applicable]

Probe Replacement#

Probes wear over time. Spring fatigue, tip wear, and contamination eventually degrade contact reliability.

When to Replace Probes

Replace probes when:

• Test results become inconsistent on known-good boards
• Visual inspection shows bent or damaged tips
• Contact resistance measurements exceed specifications
• Probes no longer return to full extension

Typical replacement intervals:

• Dev fixtures: Probes may outlast fixture lifetime (~1,000 cycles)
• Dev Pro fixtures: Inspect probes at 5,000 cycles
• Production fixtures: Regular inspection schedule based on usage

Replacement Procedure

[PLACEHOLDER: Step-by-step probe replacement procedure including:

1. Identifying failed probes
2. Required tools
3. Removal technique
4. Installation of new probes
5. Verification testing]

Ordering Replacement Probes

[PLACEHOLDER: Information about ordering replacement probes from FixturFab Shop]

Cleaning Procedures#

Board contamination—especially flux residue—transfers to probe tips and can cause intermittent contact failures.

Probe Tip Cleaning

For light contamination: [PLACEHOLDER: Cleaning procedure for routine flux removal]

For heavy contamination: [PLACEHOLDER: Deep cleaning procedure]

Cleaning frequency:

• Flux-free or clean boards: Monthly or as needed
• No-clean flux boards: Weekly or more frequently
• Water-soluble flux boards: After each shift

Fixture Body Cleaning

[PLACEHOLDER: Procedures for cleaning fixture nest, alignment pins, and mechanical components]

Troubleshooting#

Intermittent Test Failures

Symptom: Same board passes sometimes, fails other times

Possible causes:

• Worn or contaminated probe tips
• Loose receptacle connections
• Board not seating consistently
• Damaged alignment features

Diagnostic steps:

1. Test a known-good board multiple times
2. Inspect probes contacting failing test points
3. Check board seating and alignment
4. Verify receptacle terminations

Position-Dependent Failures

Symptom: Failures correlate with specific probe positions

Possible causes:

• Individual probe damage or wear
• Probe plate damage
• TPCB trace damage

Diagnostic steps:

1. Identify affected probe positions
2. Inspect those probes visually
3. Measure contact resistance
4. Check TPCB continuity if applicable

Declining Pass Rates

Symptom: Pass rate gradually decreases over time without board changes

Possible causes:

• General probe wear
• Mechanical wear affecting alignment
• Accumulating contamination

Diagnostic steps:

1. Compare current results to baseline
2. Perform thorough cleaning
3. Inspect high-use probes
4. Check mechanical alignment

TPCB Considerations#

Fixtures with TPCBs have additional maintenance considerations:

Connector care:

• Keep connectors clean and free of contamination
• Check for bent pins before mating
• Don't over-torque connector hardware

Board inspection:

• Inspect for physical damage
• Check for solder joint cracks on high-stress components
• Verify connector mounting integrity

When to Contact FixturFab#

Contact us if you experience:

• Mechanical damage beyond normal wear
• Consistent failures not resolved by probe replacement
• Questions about repair vs. replacement economics
• Need for fixture modification or upgrade

Ordering Parts and Service#

[PLACEHOLDER: Information about:

• Replacement probe ordering
• TPCB replacement
• Fixture refurbishment services
• Upgrade options]