The merits of using flying probe for functional test and FAI.

I am often asked by prospective customers if there is a spreadsheet analysis tool to calculate ROI for comparing the cost to purchase and use a flying probe tester versus test fixturing for testing assembled PCBAs. Custom bed-of-nails test fixturing is expensive and not cost-effective in a high-mix environment. In addition to fixture cost and the time/cost to get tests ready for production, often design-for-test considerations do not provide access for effective ICT coverage with a fixed-pin test solution. Flying probe testers aren’t cheap either, however, and manufacturers want to compare these two very different approaches before making a decision.

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