An electronic board test bench is a piece of equipment that manufacturers have every interest in owning: it verifies that electronic boards (PCBs) work as intended under real operating conditions before they go into production. MGA Technologies designs custom machines for inspection, testing and identification for this type of need.
Boards must also be tested to confirm they still work correctly before use, especially when they are stored for a while before being placed on the market or assembled. A test bench cannot be overlooked, particularly for critical applications.
The Importance of the Electronic Board Test Bench
Without a test bench, electronic boards cannot be manufactured or industrialized. Test benches are widely used in industry, which devotes a significant share of a product’s development budget to automated test equipment.
A test bench puts the electronic boards in real operating conditions to check that each component is working correctly. Any faults in the electronic circuit are detected quickly, and the verification process ensures reliable measurement results. The test bench gives manufacturers a high level of production quality, since every product is tested and sorted.
Test benches come with different levels of automation. To keep costs down, a test bench can be manual: it is a reliable and attractive solution for quick, low-complexity tests and smaller batches, although it requires an operator.
On a semi-automatic test bench, the operator still intervenes, but only occasionally. For mid-size batches, the equipment can handle both simple and complex operations.
An automated test bench requires a major design effort. For very large volumes, the tests are fully automated, which makes an automated electronic board test bench the best solution for long and complex test sequences.
Types of Electronic Board Test Benches: Manual, Semi-Automatic and Automatic
There are three main types of test benches, each suited to specific needs. Manual test benches rely on an operator to perform the test operations, which gives great flexibility when checking boards. They are well suited to small batches or one-off tests, but their dependence on the operator can limit accuracy and efficiency.
Semi-automatic test benches offer a compromise between automation and human control. Some test steps are automated, which improves accuracy while keeping the flexibility to make specific adjustments.
Automatic test benches are fully robotized and deliver maximum speed and accuracy. They are particularly suited to high-volume production, where repeatability and reliability are essential.
Why Invest in a Custom Electronic Board Test Bench?
A custom test bench brings many benefits to companies that want to optimize their quality control. It is designed specifically around the requirements and technical specifications of each type of electronic board.
This gives more accurate testing, making sure that every characteristic of the board, such as component compatibility and reliability, is checked in detail. A custom bench is also flexible: it can be adapted to different board types and to varying production volumes, so it keeps up as your needs evolve.
It can also include advanced automation, reporting or data analysis features. Test times are optimized and the costs of potential defects are reduced. By investing in custom equipment, companies are better prepared for future challenges and more competitive. To see the full range of benches we build, visit our custom electronic test benches page.
MGA Technologies, Test Bench Manufacturer
MGA Technologies is a company based in Lyon, France, and a pioneer in the design and manufacture of test equipment. Our team of engineers and technicians designs, integrates, develops and validates the equipment. When modifications are needed as your product evolves, our team takes charge of improving the test bench’s performance and adding new functions.
The test benches we design and build comply with the applicable directives and standards and with your specifications. The interface and control electronics, the management software and the mechanical design of the test bench are all developed in MGA Technologies’ engineering department. Ergonomics and safety receive particular attention in the design of the test equipment, and you can refine your requirements directly with our engineers.
MGA Technologies Test Bench Projects
MGA Technologies offers a wide range of solutions for testing in industrial or laboratory settings, for the electronics, automotive, medical device and pharmaceutical industries. The electronic board test benches we have designed and built include a Hall effect sensor test and programming bench, an alternator test bench and a test and inspection line for electronic modules. For larger systems, see also our industrial control and testing benches.
One of our solutions is a high-speed rotation Hall effect sensor test bench, used to characterize Hall effect sensors at rotation speeds from 100 to 10,000 rpm. The bench is fitted with a shaft line driven by a Parker motor controlled by a test computer. It can rotate an object weighing up to 7 kg and up to 200 mm in diameter at a maximum speed of 10,000 rpm.
MGA Technologies has also built a MOSFET power module test bench, designed to test the power modules fitted to starter-alternators. The modules, made of power MOSFETs, are brought to the unloading station by conveyors and picked up by a gripper robot. They are then placed on rotary tables where they undergo electrical tests. To learn more, see our custom-made machine solutions.
Our technicians are available to give you an estimate for your test equipment, and your electronic board test bench can be customized to your constraints and requirements. For more information or a quote, contact us.
