Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1530610
58 PCB007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2024 Coming from a test perspective, its contribu- tion to the overall cost to manufacture product is a simple equation: Test leads to improved processes which leads to less waste, which leads to lower cost and better yields, which directly and positively impact profitability. Without equipment such as ours, the only way to check whether a high-speed PCB is fit for purpose is to add components to it and build it into a system-performing, end-level functional test. at obviously adds additional cost, but as this is carried out either at the assembly house or by the OEM in a finished system, the logistical complexity and cost of finding faults at this point is staggering. It is only at this point you know whether the high- speed PCB will function as designed, which is definitely not the time to find out the founda- tion on which the system is built is not fit for purpose. is underscores the criticality and value-add of test solutions such as RoBAT's for PCB and PCBA manufacturing. Bruce, this has been interesting. Thank you. ank you, Marcy. PCB007 Sponsored Links: • robattest.com • SCARA-TDR-M • SCARA-TDR-L future demands of the market. ere are inher- ent risks associated with that. As a company, we take the view that we need to innovate to succeed, and we've built up an amazing team that can jump from "blue sky thinking" to pro- duction machines or creatively modify equip- ment to take it in a whole new direction. We are fortunate to have been successful enough to balance development and production to produce some truly inventive solutions. It looks like you have a Dual SCARA high speed, fully automatic TDR/TDT test machine that is in development. What can you tell me about that? I'm happy to say that the TDR/TDT version of this machine is a released product. But that's never the end. We're already work- ing on a new format four-head machine which can handle 100% of PCB TDT requirements (front-front, front-rear, rear-rear) with the lighter, faster TDR units I mentioned earlier. Another longer-term goal for us is adding vector network analyzer (VNA) capability to this platform. We've been in discussion with a supplier about a new piece of VNA test equip- ment that looks ideally suited to our robotic setup/platform of machine. This month, our issue is focused on the real costs to manufacture. How does that relate to your part of the PCB manufacturing process?