Why does FCT replace ICT in PCBA test become a trend?

Why does FCT replace ICT in PCBA test become a trend?

In the process of PCBA processing, it usually includes a series of processes such as component procurement, SMT chip processing, DIP plug-in processing, PCBA testing and finished product assembly.

1. The meaning of PCBA test PCBA test, which is translated into pcba test in English, is a very important process in the PCBA processing process. It is generally at the back end of the production link, specifically refers to the performance test of PCBA boards. PCBA testing is actually a series of processes in the process of PCBA processing, including component procurement, SMT chip processing, DIP plug-in processing, PCBA testing and finished product assembly.

1. Meaning of PCBA test

PCBA test, which is translated into pcba test in English, is a very important process in the process of PCBA processing. It is generally at the back end of the production link, and specifically refers to the performance test of PCBA boards. PCBA test is a general term for all kinds of tests.

2. What does PCBA test include

PCBA test is an important means to strictly control the delivery quality. PCBA test includes many kinds of tests, mainly including ICT test, FCT test, aging test, fatigue test, vibration test, high and low temperature test.

3. PCBA test fixture

Professional PCBA test equipment (such as ICT tester and FCT tester) is powerful, but the price is very expensive. Therefore, general PCBA processing plants will use PCBA test jigs for testing. The general test fixture can test the voltage, current, power and frequency with high speed and accuracy.

4. PCBA test point

Generally, PCBA boards have special PCBA test points. The PCBA test equipment contacts the test points of PCBA boards through probes to inspect the performance of PCBA boards with incoming materials.

In simple terms, PCBA testing is to use special equipment to test PCBA circuit boards to judge the quality of PCBA circuit boards and ensure that the products shipped to customers are intact.

PCBA circuit boards are generally subject to strict electrical and performance tests before being delivered to customers. In PCBA test, the most common are FCT function test and ICT electrical component test. At the beginning of PCBA, ICT became the mainstream, including many large electronic product design companies, such as the mobile phone industry, which still use the ICT mode to strictly test all the originals, so that it can quickly detect whether the components on the circuit board conform to their design values and parameters, and avoid the tragedy of a capacitor overturning the entire circuit board.

However, with the rapid development of the semiconductor industry, the density of electronic components is getting higher and higher, and the production process and stability are becoming increasingly mature, which makes the ICT test application scope increasingly narrow. Many small and medium-sized PCBA electronic manufacturing and processing plants no longer use ICT testing as the mainstream mode, and begin to gradually attach importance to FCT function testing. The factory will generally require the customer to provide FCT test plan, including test procedures, test rack issuance and relevant test steps, so that all PCBAs will pass strict FCT test before shipment and then be delivered to the customer.

Another reason for FCT replacing ICT is cost. FCT is generally cheaper. It is customized according to the customer's design scheme, and the cost of the test stand is between 1000 and 5000. However, ICT equipment needs to be provided by professional manufacturers, and its cost ranges from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands. In addition, ICT needs to cover many components, which makes the production of thimble platform extremely complex, difficult and costly. As a result, ICT testing is now more common in general-purpose equipment and product production lines with large shipments.

More and more ICT equipment manufacturers begin to integrate FCT functions in their equipment, and this trend has become increasingly obvious. However, it is difficult to standardize the functions of FCT test, which makes it difficult to develop universal FCT test equipment. At present, the mainstream in the market is to customize according to different models and products of customers.. Usually, according to the customer's FCT design scheme, the corresponding test stand and test platform are customized. Generally, the cycle is completed within 3 to 7 days, and the cost is within 3000 to 10000 yuan. This is more suitable for the flexible production mode scenario of small and medium-sized PCBA processing enterprises.