Client Profile
This client was a Fortune 500 company and a leading developer of advanced catheter technologies.
Technical Situation
The client required an automated test system to perform a series of electrical tests on an assembled product. The tests would require electrical and mechanical interface with features on the product. The results of several tests would then need to be conveyed to the operator as a clear Pass / Fail determination. The system would also need to generate a summary report which contained identification information for the device under test, the results of each individual test, and the overall Pass / Fail disposition.
The application demanded extremely high accuracy for the measured values, necessitating careful consideration of component selection and system electrical architecture.
Solution
CKC Automation designed and built a bench-top automated system for the client’s unique test specifications and product. The system is comprised of custom fixturing to position the product during test, a test cable for direct product interface, and precisely aligned pogo pins which extend and retract during the test sequence in order to make and break electrical connections.
The system features an advanced HMI platform which displays test results in real time, prints a single page summary report at the end of a run, and stores raw test data for future download and evaluation by engineering personnel. A barcode scanner allows operators to scan in unique identifiers for the device under test, and the system has multiple user access levels, such that users with appropriate login credentials may modify test criteria and machine calibration parameters.
Results
The system was rigorously tested at CKC Automation’s factory and found to meet or exceed the demanding accuracy specifications. In addition, CKC Automation was able to fulfill the client’s request for expedited delivery, even for a first-time custom build. In summary, the system was verified to have met all user requirements, was delivered ahead of schedule, and was successfully deployed on the client’s manufacturing line.
