flyingprobe
A flying probe test (FPT) is a method of automated electrical testing used for printed circuit boards (PCBs). In FPT, an autonomous test system uses movable probe heads that contact test points on the PCB to verify electrical integrity. It is typically described as a fixtureless form of in-circuit testing, as it does not require a dedicated bed-of-nails fixture.
Operation: The PCB is placed on a staging area, and the machine aligns to fiducials or features,
Software and processes: Test programs are generated from CAD data or netlists using specialized software. The
Advantages: No dedicated fixtures, reducing upfront cost; suitable for low- to mid-volume and high-mix production; can
Limitations: Throughput is slower than fixed-fixture ICT at high volumes; probe wear and contact reliability can
Applications: Commonly used for prototype evaluation, pre-production screening, and small-to-medium batch manufacturing; complementary to bed-of-nails ICT