NEED
Casablanca Fan Company's production line needed high speed, automatic test
equipment for their innovative fan control module.
SOLUTION
The operator inserts the fan module into the test head, and lowers the lid. A
magnetic switch detects the closure of the test head, energizing a latch and a
test start sequence. The test is completely automatic, with failure codes and
reports logged to a printer. The computer control is a custom
microprocessor-based system developed by Mitsi for use in dedicated testers. Due
to the high volume production rate, five additional testers were quickly
manufactured and delivered by Mitsi. The test equipment requirements were
complicated by the 110 volt operation of the fan module. All tests had to be run
at line voltage, requiring hazardous line voltages to be isolated from the
operator. The resulting test takes only a few seconds to completely check the
board and 4-bit computer.
RESULTS
The test system we delivered consists of a microprocessor controlled
bed-of-nails fixture and a custom hardware platform. With technical support from
Mitsi, within four months the production rate was over 1,000 units per month.
