PCB testing in high-mix manufacturing: How electronics manufacturers can boost testing efficiency
High-mix, low-volume production is the new norm, and PCB board testing methods from the past no longer offer a scalable solution for today’s electronics manufacturers. With multiple data preparation applications each using different source files, and the need for comprehensive PCB functional testing and process validation, there is simply no way test engineering departments can create reliable, debugged programs fast enough to meet the dynamic demand.
PCB board testing methods for today’s electronics manufacturers.
New solutions are needed to enable automated PCB testing. For example, all test attributes need to be included in the data, and probes need to be placed to create output that machine software can use to finalize test programs. Manufacturers also need a single application for all steps in the line. A digital twin provides a single point of truth for each specific product and is key to mitigating the PCB board testing challenges of high-mix production.
Meet the speakers
Mark Laing
Business Development Manager
Mark graduated with a B.Sc. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Loughborough University, in the UK. He has over 25 years’ experience in PCB manufacturing with particular strengths in test and inspection methodologies with three test companies, namely Marconi Instruments in the UK, followed by GenRad and Teradyne in the US. He then moved more in to software solutions for Router Solutions Incorporated, who were acquired by Mentor Graphics Corporation in 2006. When Mentor acquired Valor Computerized Systems in 2010 he moved in that division where he has been working as both a Product Marketing Manager and Business Development Manager. Mark has been granted three patents, one in the UK and two in the US, and has recently filed one more. With the recent acquisition of Mentor by Siemens PLM, Mark is looking forward to further his career with Siemens. Mark has lived in the US for over 20 years and now resides in Erie, Colorado, with his wife and two sons.
Jeremy Schitter
Senior Technical Marketing Engineer
Jeremy has more than 25 years of experience in electronics, as a production engineer and manager in electronic manufacturing at Siemens SBT in Germany and in varied pre- and post-sales positions at Siemens Digital Industries, including in the Valor and Mentor divisions. Jeremy is currently a senior technical marketing engineer in the Valor Business Development team, where he acts as a trusted advisor helping customers create value and business advantages through the use of Siemens solutions for electronic manufacturing. Jeremy lives in France in the greater Strasbourg area, with his wife and 2 children.