Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Manufacturing Quality Management

We go through strict test in our manufacturing processes for a quality control. For new orders, we initially check layout by using an automated testing machine to ensure the layout does not have any problems on routing, placement, or any other layout problems. We compare the layout and the net list to PCB design limitations and the rules. Limitations have been determined for routing widths and clearances. So we must make sure there are no overlapping, untraced connecting pins, incorrect layer placements. If any error, we immediately contact the customer to solve out and confirmation. We must ensure the PCB is capable of being manufactured.

Flying Probe Test

For small quantity, we provide the Flying Probe Test. It does not need test fixtures. Using the Flying Probe test, we ensure PCB has no short or open circuits, as well as verify that the PCB nets correspond to the design. The Flying Probe test possesses few limitations on access. It can test PCBs with almost an unlimited amount of nets. In general, the Flying Probe test will catch errors. For example, the failure rate of the PCBs is generally less than one percent.

Fixture Test

Fixture Test has many small and spring loaded pogo pins that are inserted into holes on an epoxy phenolic glass cloth laminated sheet. These are lined up with tooling pins. These pins connect with the PCB test points. Every one of the pogo pins will connect to the device of the PCB that is going to be tested. Upon initiating the device-under-test via the fixture test, many separate test points will be connected for testing. This test ensures there are no shorted or opened circuits, and will also ensure the PCB nets correspond with the design nets. This test generally maintains the PCB failure rate to less than one-tenth of one percent.

Automated Optical Inspections

Automated optical inspections (AOI) provide an internal quality check of the inside layers of PCBs with multiple layers. This type of inspection performs a vision scan of the PCB surface using scanners so the entire area of the HDI PCB can be checked. The primary advantage of AOI is that it is highly reliable and accurate and a more sophisticated type of testing than visual inspection testing. For a basic board inspection, AOI can test for the following failures:


Line width out of rules specifications
Spacing errors outside of rules specifications.
Excessive amount of Cu.
Missing pads when they are required
Shorted circuit paths
Traces or pads that were partially or fully severed.
Holes that are broken out, which is usually caused by a hole that has been drilled beyond its target pad.