It should be known that in the process of proofing PCB, the quality of PCB circuit boards is usually checked by the flying needle test.
Here, the flying needle test is a crucial process in PCB testing. Compared to the needle bed of the test stand, the flying needle test primarily uses probes to test the PCB circuit board. What are the differences in accuracy and cost between the two methods? Below, we will explore these differences with you, referencing Weisiyuan’s small edition from Shenzhen SMT Shiyan Patch Factory.
First, let’s discuss the probes used in flying needle testers. As the most wear-prone part of the machine, the probes are easy to replace. Flying needle probes are custom-made, flexible, and replaceable. Each probe has a lifespan of 1 million cycles and can test 1,000 test points. Without repeated testing, each probe should be used on 500 plates. For instance, full-line flying needle machines process 1,200 square meters per day, handle more than 5 material numbers, and test 40 million points daily. Based on this, 40 probe heads are replaced every day. For medium and high-capacity patch processing plants, the cost of replacing needles is minimal. Different needle sizes offer greater flexibility compared to needle beds. In fact, flying needle testers are more cost-effective, offer higher flexibility, and allow for interchangeable probe specifications.
Regarding accuracy, the X, Y, and Z axes of the flying needle tester generally achieve around A4 accuracy, with a tolerance of (+) 30 μm. A 200 μm 01005 device is fully testable. Higher precision generally results in a longer development cycle, increased cost, and a narrower application range, but even with some accuracy differences, the flying needle test remains highly effective.
Application of PCB Test Stand:
1. The PCB board test stand in SMT technology workshop equipment is more suitable for enterprises with single-product, high-speed production. However, market demand is becoming increasingly diverse, and the flypin test is now more commonly used in both small and large patch processing plants.
2. For large patch processing plants with both high-speed product markets and small batch demands, mixed production lines are necessary. Yet, over 50% of PCB circuit board patch processing factories in China are small-scale operations.
3. Flying needle testing has a broader application range than test stand testing and helps to shorten the product development cycle.
4. Importantly, as components on PCB circuit boards continue to shrink, test points and solder points become smaller. The minimum spacing between pins on a PCB test stand needle bed is 1mm, which cannot test μM-level spacing. In such cases, the average flying needle can achieve a 100 μM test.
5. In terms of accuracy, the flying needle test used by SMT technology shop equipment in PCB factories has more pronounced advantages, though the primary drawback is its slower production efficiency.
Here, the flying needle test is a crucial process in PCB testing. Compared to the needle bed of the test stand, the flying needle test primarily uses probes to test the PCB circuit board. What are the differences in accuracy and cost between the two methods? Below, we will explore these differences with you, referencing Weisiyuan’s small edition from Shenzhen SMT Shiyan Patch Factory.
First, let’s discuss the probes used in flying needle testers. As the most wear-prone part of the machine, the probes are easy to replace. Flying needle probes are custom-made, flexible, and replaceable. Each probe has a lifespan of 1 million cycles and can test 1,000 test points. Without repeated testing, each probe should be used on 500 plates. For instance, full-line flying needle machines process 1,200 square meters per day, handle more than 5 material numbers, and test 40 million points daily. Based on this, 40 probe heads are replaced every day. For medium and high-capacity patch processing plants, the cost of replacing needles is minimal. Different needle sizes offer greater flexibility compared to needle beds. In fact, flying needle testers are more cost-effective, offer higher flexibility, and allow for interchangeable probe specifications.
Regarding accuracy, the X, Y, and Z axes of the flying needle tester generally achieve around A4 accuracy, with a tolerance of (+) 30 μm. A 200 μm 01005 device is fully testable. Higher precision generally results in a longer development cycle, increased cost, and a narrower application range, but even with some accuracy differences, the flying needle test remains highly effective.
Application of PCB Test Stand:
1. The PCB board test stand in SMT technology workshop equipment is more suitable for enterprises with single-product, high-speed production. However, market demand is becoming increasingly diverse, and the flypin test is now more commonly used in both small and large patch processing plants.
2. For large patch processing plants with both high-speed product markets and small batch demands, mixed production lines are necessary. Yet, over 50% of PCB circuit board patch processing factories in China are small-scale operations.
3. Flying needle testing has a broader application range than test stand testing and helps to shorten the product development cycle.
4. Importantly, as components on PCB circuit boards continue to shrink, test points and solder points become smaller. The minimum spacing between pins on a PCB test stand needle bed is 1mm, which cannot test μM-level spacing. In such cases, the average flying needle can achieve a 100 μM test.
5. In terms of accuracy, the flying needle test used by SMT technology shop equipment in PCB factories has more pronounced advantages, though the primary drawback is its slower production efficiency.
