Design & construction of automatic testing rig for assembly-line printed circuit boards

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to present a brief discussion of automation in the field of routine testing of electronic modules and to describe the design and construction of a prototype device. The prototype had, of necessity, very limited flexibility but the design principles involved could equally well be applied to a larger design in which the machine could be programmed to run a series of tests on virtually any type of electronic functional module - from a simple continuity test on a wiring harness to a full scale analysis of the performance of an amplifier. The thesis firstly gives an account of automation in routine testing in general. Next, the specific purpose for which the prototype was designed is outlined. The main description and discussion of the various parts of the device are divided into two main sections: Chapter 2 deals with the analogue circuitry and Chapter 3 covers the digital logic circuitry. Finally, Chapter 4 outlines the physical layout and suggests some improvements.