The challenge
A production test setup needs a repeatable way to make electrical contact with the board under test while remaining practical for operators.
Fixture design
I designed a tester built around a ball-bearing press. The original design includes custom interchangeable plates and an interface board, combining mechanical positioning with electrical connections.
Engineering takeaway
Production hardware is part of the design lifecycle. Fixtures and interfaces need attention alongside the PCB itself so testing can be performed consistently. The original blog documents the fixture design, not quantified test throughput or yield.
Original project photos
Click any photograph to view the full-resolution original.
