General purpose test equipment often fails to meet the requirements for individual products. This is particularly true where analog sensing and outputs are involved.

Another issue is licensing of run time executives where there are additional license costs for each instantiation of a tester.

Yet another factor is the time frame for producing the test scripts and debugging them. The structure of the test language can also complicate some simple tasks such as calibration or loop back testing where a test is rerun and a recalibration is done until a unit is in specification. This is sometimes required where a purely mathematical calibration equation is not available. eg. automating the setting of a trim pot.

To solve the above issue most systems then require development of custom Windows DLLs to add to the functionality of the underlying test language.

Software Costs and Licensing

Our experience to date has shown that a complete test application can be developed for a budget similar to the purchase of just the developer suite toolset for most of the mainstream automated test solutions. This includes any customised code in the industrial controller as well as the main PC application.

Most clients prefer to pay a single cost and then have the right to make as many duplicate test stations as they need.

Hardware Costs

In addition to the Software costs are the actual hardware costs associated with the fixtures and the industrial controller. Hardware costs can vary based on the complexity of testing required and the volume of units to be tested. Based on this we can either offer an off the shelf fixture customised to the application or a completely custom fixture designed an manufactured in house.

Interested in Knowing More?

We would be pleased to review your requirements and offer you a solution to your current testing needs. We can also offer a comprehensive product design, development and production test service. Contact us for a quote on your next project.