From JTAG to X-ray, test and inspection innovations abound at APEX

IPC APEX EXPO concluded last week with companies having exhibited a variety of test and inspection and related software products, while keynoters looked back at technology and charted its future. In addition, IPC's president and CEO outlined initiatives for the coming year.

Significant product introductions included a new boundary-scan tool from Agilent Technologies, an MES suite from Aegis Software, an updated handset user-interface tester from JOT Automation, and, new to the U.S. market, an inline X-ray system from MatriX Technologies.

In addition, John W. Mitchell, D.Ed., president and CEO of IPC, discussed initiatives for the upcoming year, including an initiative focused on customer success. And Dr. Larry Burns, Professor of Engineering at the University of Michigan and director of the Program for Sustainable Mobility at Columbia University, in a keynote address charted the history of the automobile and extrapolated from that history into the future.

Product News: Boundary Scan and ICT

Agilent Technologies launched its Agilent x1149 boundary-scan analyzer—a board-test tool that can serve applications ranging from board design and validation to manufacturing test. Boon Khim Tan, general manager for Agilent’s Measurement Systems Division, said that indeed the focus is on manufacturing, with the x1149 offering a user interface that can provide test results in a format similar to what operators expect in a manufacturing environment. Click here for more.

Tan said a key Agilent emphasis is on increasing automation to help offset rising labor costs even in traditionally low-labor-cost regions. On display along with the x1149 boundary-scan analyzer were low-cost Medalist i1000D in-circuit testers as well as an inline Medalist i3070 system fully integrated with a handler. NK Chari, director of marketing and support for the Measurement Systems Division, said the fully integrated i3070 system is undergoing beta evaluation.

Chari also said Agilent has also developed a PXI-based functional test system for automotive applications, although that system was not on display at APEX. He said the new system offers 30% improvement in throughput compared with a previous system.

MES Suite

Aegis Software launched its FactoryLogix manufacturing execution software suite, which the company says is built from the ground-up as an adaptive, multimarket MES implementation. Speaking Wednesday at Aegis's APEX EXPO booth, Aegis CEO, Jason Spera said the software can operate with any machine on the exhibit floor. He cited the software's applicability to NPI, saying that NPI is no longer amenable to single-tool implementation but must be elevated to a system-level solution to support multiple engineers working on multiple NPI projects.

Spera noted that FactoryLogix is not just for circuit cards but extends all the way to the system level, providing traceability from a vehicle-identification number, for example, back to the card level. He said the suite can assist in ITAR compliance for defense applications and FDA part 11 requirements from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FactoryLogix, he concluded, covers not just the factory floor but the office as well.

Handset User-Interface Test

JOT Automation, a supplier of production and test systems for the telecom, electronics, automotive, aerospace, and advanced life science industries, has launched its all in one automated solution for handset final testing. CEO Stefan Adolfsson described the JOT G3 as an enhancement to its JOT G2.5 predecessor that enables fully automatic test of handsets' user interface in a repeatable environment. The single platform can execute multiple tests and enables fully automated examination of mechanical, RF, electrical, audio, and visual interfaces of handsets. The company also highlighted a modular board test system, which provides a shielded RF environment that can serve in test applications ranging from development through manufacturing.

X-Ray Inspection

Having first launched its X3 inline inspection system in Europe in November 2011, Munich-based MatriX Technologies introduced its inline inspection systems to the U.S. market. The company also highlighted a new system—the XCT-1000S—in its CT portfolio. Click here for details.

In related news, GE Measurement & Control demonstrated a new 3D CT option for the phoenix x|aminer microfocus X-ray inspection system. The company reported this is the first time the new CT (computed tomography) add-on will be exhibited in America. Click here for more. And Nordson YESTECH demonstrated its new high-speed FX SL AOI inspection system for populated printed circuit boards. The company also conducted demonstrations of its complete line of AOI and AXI inspection systems. Click here for more.

Other companies exhibiting inspection products included Hamamatsu, which highlighted microfocus X-ray sources and X-ray line-scan cameras for PCB inspection. Cyberoptics featured its line of SPI and AOI systems. Fischer Technology Inc. featured its FISCHERSCOPE X-RAY XDLM-PCB Series energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) instrument, which measures coatings in the semiconductor and electronics industries. The instrument can measure thin coatings, contacts, and components, and components on PCBs.

Highlighting Inspection

FocalSpot highlighted its BGA/SMT X-ray and visual inspection systems, including the Verifier and Insight X-ray systems. Koh Young Technology highlighted its lineup of 3-D inspection systems, including the Zenith pre- and post-reflow AOI systems and the Aspire 2 3-D SPI system. Mirtec demonstrated desktop and inline AOI systems as well as inline SPI systems; the company also highlighted a new high-speed CoaXPress functionality on its MV-9 2D/3D, MS-15 3D, and the MV-9UP 2D/3D machines. Manncorp displayed its AOI systems, while MVP exhibited AOI and SPI systems.

Nikon highlighted its ShuttlePix portable digital microscope, Nordstrom Dage featured its Diamond and Ruby systems as well as its X-Plane X-ray inspection system option. Vi Technology highlighted its AOI solutions for  PCB assembly

Omron featured its AOI and AXI systems. Sonoscan highlighted its line of acoustic micro imaging (AMI) products. And Yxlon highlighted its Y.Cheetah and Y.Cougar X-ray systems. And Scienscope features its X-Scope 1000 X-ray inspection system. Viscom demonstrated its optical and X-ray inspection systems for PCB assembly. VJ Electronix highlighted its rework and X-ray inspection systems. Camtek highlighted its Phoenix AIO systems. Carl Zeiss Microscopy highlighted its line of optical microscopes.

Electrical Test at APEX

Checksum and Everett Charles Technologies each highlighted the Tilt in-circuit board-test and part-programming system, which combines ECT's Tilt probe wireless fixtures and Checksum's test and programming technology. Tilt fixtures can be delivered in three to four days and are 60% to 70% lower in cost than traditional ICT fixtures, with prices starting at $2 per node plus a kit cost of about $500. The systems come with a fully integrated CheckSum test system software environment and are available in configurations having 2,500, 5,000, or 10,000 test points. The systems target NPI and high-mix/low-volume applications.

In addition, Diagnosys demonstrated its new Data Capture Pod, a fast and efficient tool for generating functional test programs boards and components, and Seica Inc. exhibited the Pilot V8 flying prober, the Firefly laser selective soldering system, and the Compact TK functional and in-circuit test system. In other test-system news, Acculogic highlighted its FLS980 double-sided flying prober with a 22-probe capacity. Also exhibiting flying probers was Texmac/Takaya. And SPEA presented its 4060, 4030, and 4020 flying probers as well as its 3030 Series in-circuit testers. And Test Research U.S.A. Inc. highlighted its “Tiny ICT,” a less than $10,000 in-circuit tester, as well as AOI, SPI, and AXI systems. And Huntron highlighted its Tracker PCB troubleshooting tool. Microscan highlighted its barcode reading and inspection products.

Boundary Scan and Software

In other news, GOEPEL electronic highlighted PicoTAP Designer Studio, a complete entry-level boundary-scan test system including hardware and software, as well as its line of inspection systems and boundary-scan and Embedded Systems Access tools. JTAG Technologies demonstrated a Power Management Bus (PMBus) IC programming tool that supports devices from Linear Technology and Texas Instruments, and it highlighted its JTAG Live tools and related boundary-scan products. And ASTER Technologies highlighted a new release of TestWay in support of “Design for Excellence” (DfX) strategies. XJTAG highlighted its boundary-scan tools.

Finally, Leader Tech highlighted its EMI shielding products for PCBs, and TDK-Lambda featured its Genesys power supplies.