The Factory | Designing Test Jigs For PCB Manufacturing

We test everything we make in The Factory, and that means we need test jigs. A good jig should be fast and simple to use, with minimal separate actions for an operator. In this episode of The Factory, we're spinning some ideas for testing PiicoDev adapters for Raspberry Pi and Micro:bit.
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[@UnexpectedMaker]

You don't need the left IO expander for the pins for the Raspi Module, Connect each odd/even pin together then set odd low, even high, and count pins on the right, then swap and re-count. Just saves a component and time to toggle and check every pin. Any shots will show an incorrect count. You can use the IO expander on the right to determine which pin(s) are shorted.

[@jahangirkhan8563]

Great Video

[@lukeprior]

You might want to look into using linear rails for the jig so that it doesn't break after 100s of repititions.

[@olivercouch1651]

Depends. Sometimes it's cheaper and easier to just make another jig when one wears out or breaks.

[@paulorenatovalentim4449]

Was there a video done to show the finished test jig working? Kind of curious

[@Core-Electronics]

Not for this particular idea, but we've covered lots of test jigs in other videos in The Factory playlist!

[@TrevorPeac0ck]

Not sure if I'm understanding what you're looking for. How about these?
(manufacturer/part number/element14 order code)
HARWIN S7121-42R (2211310)
PULSE LARSEN ANTENNAS W9908 (2897293)
or even
SAMTEC SEI-110-02-G-S (3584640)
You might be able to make a stackup of PCB & acrylic layers to approximate an edge connector.

[@RyanStone143]

The Harwin looks perfect.

[@olivercouch1651]

Spring fingers are exactly what I was thinking.

[@Steve_be]

@@olivercouch1651 pogopins

[@Core-Electronics]

Hey Trevor! We have some of the HARWIN sliding contacts on the way - they look perfect.

[@TrevorPeac0ck]

Awesome. You and your colleagues have helped me a lot, glad I could help you. Looking forward to seeing the result!

[@wertiaaudit5746]

💻