Flip Top Functional Test Fixtures

Robust. Accessible. Documented. Consistent.

Built from over a decade of product development, finally a fixture platform that works and grows with your designs. Optimized from prototype tens to production ten-thousands.

ACCESS
Consistent spring-pin access to test points earlier in the designs saves countless hours of frustrating debugging.
DETECT FAILURES
Using bench top or custom test hardware, access and detect failing boards quickly and consistently.
REPORT
Fixture can communicate outputs and receive updates ensuring oversight in manufacturing and consistency, even when you aren't there.

Elevating Your Capabilities

Design Engineers
Refine efficiently

Save countless hours of debugging that used to come with the rats-nest of airwires. Measure actual performance rather than rely on simulations.

Contract Manufacturers
Build with confidence

Program and test devices in single or multi-gang configuration with consistency and high quality results. Report results directly to your systems or the customers.

 

Firmware Developers
Debug on real hardware

Access systems and modules reliably, focusing development on as-built designs instead of cobbled- together development kits. Triage real issues in real time.

Quality Control
Root cause with ease

Monitor, track, and report passes; identify, log, and quarantine failures. Ensure a robust regulatory compliance in NPI, production, and end-user returns.

Who, and What, Makes a Fixture?

The BES Fixture platform is just that—a platform. Buy a base platform, work with BES to integrate your existing elements, or have BES design it all. Unsure what your needs are? Click the link below to start a discussion with us.

BES considers three core elements when designing a Fixture: the DUT Interface, the Control Board, and the Test Runner. Depending on your project's needs and complexity, you might need some or all of these elements. Read about them below and see which ones are right for you.

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DUT INTERFACE

Collect signals from test points on your DUT.

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How BES does it

Pogo plate assemblies ensure precise access to even the most dense test points without sacrificing reliability. Custom nests securely hold the DUT during tests, while allowing quick access before and after.

What to expect

Accessible. Direct-solder pin sleeves eliminate cluttered signal wires and unnecessary troubleshooting.
Quickturn.  BES offers same-week shipping for Fixture frames, and custom design & production times as low as 3 weeks.
Robust. Direct-solder pin sleeves provide reliable, long-term connections.
Modular. Quickly-replaceable spring pins and nests reduce downtime.
 
 

 

CONTROL INTERFACE

Power, test, and communicate with your DUT.

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How BES does it

Control Boards provide power, communication, and testing capabilities to your DUT, and interface with your external peripheral devices such as screens, programmers, and barcode scanners. Minimized cable and routed trace lengths optimize signal integrity and reduce signal latency.

What to expect

Custom-built. Interchangeable design blocks produce boards for your test needs.
Reliable. Onboard circuitry minimizes cable lengths and programming errors.
Documented. BES’s experience and layout library result in fast, robust designs. 
Interfaceable. Customizable headers ensure painless, quick setup and access.

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TEST RUNNER

Validate passing DUTs and reject failures.

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How BES does it

Flexible signal-switching fabric integrated with custom Test Runners allows signals from multiple DUTs to share endpoint-measuring circuitry–minimizing hardware cost while maximizing test parallelism. Custom-test running software determines DUT fitness, logging, and recording status, locally or to a remote endpoint. Easily-adjustable interactive GUIs provide operator instruction and smooth deployment.

What to expect

Trackable. Log test results locally or remotely for failure analysis and data tracking.
Containerized. Easily update tests via stand-alone uploads or across your network.
Flexible. Update individual tests easily using BES-provided documentation.
Intuitive. Test quickly regardless of experience with straightforward user interfaces.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What DUT features can be tested?

Note: The following list does not include all DUT features that BES can test, this list only provides examples of some of BES’s capabilities. Please reach out if you have questions about DUT features not included in the list.

Physical Elements
  • Actuation (Toggle Switches, Rotary Switches, Sliders)
  • User Interface Elements on the DUT (Screens, Buttons, LEDs)
  • Connector Interfaces on the DUT (HDMI, DisplayPort, USB, Ethernet T10/T100/T1000, IR, Serial/RS232/RS422/RS485, CANBus, COAX, U.FL, etc.)
  • Sensors (Humidity, Temperature, IMU, Magnet, etc.)
  • Thermal: Heat Sink Effectiveness, Component Temperatures
RF Interfaces
  • LTE/CAT-M
  • Bluetooth
  • Wi-Fi
  • GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/BeiDou
  • LoRA
  • Z-Wave/ZigBee/XBee
  • NFC
  • Inductive Charging/Communications
Signals
  • Voltage and Current Measurements
  • Power: Consumption and Charge/Discharge (using Power Loads)
  • Waveforms: Injection or Analysis (using Oscilloscopes, Logic Analyzers)
  • Communication Protocols: SPI, I2C, UART, USB, CAN, etc.
  • EMI
What custom features can be added to control boards?

Note: If you have a desired feature not addressed in this list or the DUT features FAQ, please reach out and inquire.

  • Impedance controlled design
  • Inductive load drivers (motors, solenoids, etc.)
  • User Interface Elements for operators (Buttons, Switches, LEDs, External Screen)
  • User Accessible Connectors (USB, HDMI, Power, Coax, RJ45, Banana Plugs, etc.)
  • Humidity & Temperature Sensors
Are test points required on my DUT?
Dedicated test pads are typically preferred, but access to signals is the key. Typical signal access methods include:
  • Test pads, free of solder and coating (preferred)
  • Plated thru holes, no component installed (preferred)
  • Other possible access points: headers, connectors, unmasked vias, SMT component pads or leads, thru-hole component pads or leads
Bear in mind that connections that are denser or more difficult to access will be more challenging to develop, and may be less reliable in the field.
How does programming a microcontroller work?

BES has developed a low-cost and parallelizable SWD programming solution, suitable for many modern microcontroller families. Integration and parallelization of first-party and third-party programmers (J-Link, etc.) can also be implemented. Hardware cost, development effort, payload size, and required speed determine the optimal programming solution.

What accessories are available?

Currently BES offers the following accessories as turnkey components:

  • Blank FR4 plates
  • Blank acrylic plates
  • Vanity and security panels
  • Signal fanout PCBAs

BES also offers design and sale of custom accessories for fixtures. Reach out to us to start a discussion!

What documentation is included?
The base fixture frame (with no customization) includes a datasheet referencing mounting points, overall dimensions, recommended hardware, and recommended accessory configurations.
Custom fixture frames will vary depending on included modules, but typically include:
  • Maintenance guides and replacement walkthroughs for expected wear components (such as pins)
  • Usage documentation for software interface (for operators)
  • Usage documentation for software architecture (for  engineers)
How many cycles does a fixture last?

BES recommends a maintenance interval of 250,000 cycles. Maintenance consists of gas spring replacement, and can be accomplished in-field in approximately 10 minutes. Total frame life has been documented to exceed 2 million cycles.

 

Note that this rating is for the mechanical frame. Pin cycles will vary by component, but can typically be replaced or refurbished without device disassembly.

Can I update my fixture?
Over-The-Air (OTA) updates will update user interface and control software. Updates can be pushed at low-latency with and without operator intervention.
What do I do if I need to change a test?
Test parameters can be updated on a per-fixture basis by editing configuration files, or remotely via a browser-based control panel. Test sequencing and operations can be changed or extended in the test runner source code, provided with each custom BES fixture. 

Frame 01 Gen 2 Gallery

Datasheet Download

Base Fixture Frame: BT201-F50-00A image

Base Fixture Frame: BT201-F50-00A

$1,980.00

Base Open Frame with blank Pogo-Plate & Acrylic top (generally ships next-day)

Request to buy direct