Beyond Standard Fixtures#
FixturFab's core business is bed-of-nails test fixtures: the mechanical interface between your board and your test equipment. For most test applications, fixtures combined with standard instrumentation handle the job.
But some production environments require more: automated material handling, integration with production lines, throughput optimization, or specialized test equipment beyond bench instruments. That's production test equipment territory.
What This Includes#
FATP (Final Assembly, Test, and Pack) systems integrate testing into final assembly lines. The device under test moves through automated stations that test, program, label, and package in a single flow.
In-line test stations position testing within production flow rather than as a separate offline step. Boards move from assembly to test to next operation without manual transfer.
High-speed handlers automate loading, testing, and sorting at rates that exceed manual operation. When throughput requirements demand testing faster than operators can load fixtures, handlers take over.
Parallel test architectures test multiple boards simultaneously, multiplying throughput without proportional equipment investment.
When You Need Production Equipment#
Standard fixtures handle volumes up to thousands of units per month with manual operation. Production equipment becomes relevant when:
- Throughput requirements exceed what operators can achieve with manual fixture loading
- Production line integration requires automated material handling and process flow
- Test time constraints demand parallel testing or continuous operation
- Labor costs make automation economically attractive
- Process control requires testing integrated into manufacturing flow rather than batch verification
Our Recommendation#
Production test equipment is expensive, complex, and creates long-term maintenance obligations. Before committing, verify that your volume actually justifies automation.
Many teams overestimate their automation needs. Manual fixture operation scales further than most expect. A well-designed Dev Pro or Production fixture with efficient operator workflow often handles surprising volumes before automation becomes necessary.
Start with standard fixtures and measure. Deploy fixtures for manual operation, measure actual throughput and labor costs, then evaluate automation based on real data rather than projections.
Consider incremental automation. Semi-automated solutions—fixtures with automated actuation, simple loading assists, or parallel test stations—often deliver most of the benefit at a fraction of the cost and complexity.
What We Offer#
Our fixture expertise extends naturally into production test equipment when the scope involves board-level test interfaces. We know this space well enough to tell you honestly what fits our capability and what needs a dedicated equipment partner.
What we handle directly:
- Custom fixture designs optimized for automated handling
- Integration with production equipment designed by automation specialists
- Test architecture consulting for high-volume production
- Referrals to production equipment vendors we've worked with successfully
What falls outside our scope:
- General factory automation unrelated to test fixtures
- Material handling systems outside the test station
- Production line design or manufacturing engineering
- Equipment sales without engineering context
Project Approach#
Production equipment projects start with requirements understanding:
- Volume and throughput analysis: What rates do you actually need, and what drives the requirement?
- Process flow mapping: Where does testing fit in your production flow?
- Make vs. buy assessment: Should you build capability internally or outsource?
- Scope definition: What portions of the system map to FixturFab's expertise vs. production equipment specialists?
From there, we provide either direct engineering engagement (for scope within our capability) or referrals to equipment partners (for scope beyond fixtures).
Next Steps#
If you're facing high-volume test requirements, contact us to discuss your situation. We'll help you determine whether production equipment is warranted, what scope makes sense for us vs. equipment specialists, and what path gets you to production capability most efficiently.
For most customers, the right starting point is standard fixtures configured in Studio, with production equipment conversations deferred until volume actually demands automation.