top 5 reasons to automate test - averna test guru

BEsT PRaCtIcEs fOr tHe PRoDuCt LIfEcYcLe

TOP 5 REASONSTO AUTOMATE TEST

DESIGN VALIDATION NPI PRODUCTION REPAIR

ACCELERATEDESIGN VALIDATION1.

While automated testing of electronic products at the manufacturing stage is commonplace, one area of the product lifecycle that could easily bene�t from more automation is the design-validation stage.

Too o�en at this crucial point, design and test engineers spend countless hours running the same tests on each modi�cation and design iteration, measuring and analyzing all variances, and troubleshooting every roadblock. There’s a better way.

Top 5 Reasons to Automate Test / Averna

MAkE TeDiOuS ReWoRk a ThInG Of tHe pAst!

1

Using a flexible test executive and well-de�ned, automated test routines, you can set up a design- validation framework that can easily:

• Run dozens or even hundreds of tests even when sta� are not at work • Automate error handling and retries to reduce downtime • Gather measurements and collate test results

This will also free up product designers and test engineers to focus on higher-value tasks like new-feature designs or even new products, while ensuring a more seamless transition of product and test intelligence to the NPI and manufacturing phases.

ACCELERATEDESIGN VALIDATIONTop 5 Reasons to Automate Test / Averna

ONE OEM REDUCED ITS

DESIGN-VALIDATION CYCLE TIME BY

90%.

DESIGN VALIDATION

MAXIMIZE EQUIPMENT USAGE2.


Let’s face it, test instruments are expensive. In fact, they make up the bulk of test station expenditures. While some test engineers might like spending quality time with the equipment, that may in fact not be the best use of either resource’s time or capabilities.

So given today’s lean manufacturingclimate – which dictates that any process not adding value to the �nalproduct should be eliminated – OEMsneed to seriously consider if they are getting the most from each component of their test infrastructure.

GEt OpTiMal

VaLuE FrOm yOuR

InStRuMeNts!

Through automation, you can implement test architecture that maximizes your instrument use. To accomplish this, consider combining the following:• Modular test instruments such as PXI• An industry-standard test executive• Parallel and batch test routines• Swappable, multi-product �xtures or harnesses• A mass interconnect system for quick station changeovers

These elements can create a high-throughput test station that maximizes the use of each and every component, especially instruments, while also reducing station and operator downtime. As well, such automation architecture makes it easy to perform updates, test new products, and reuse test code.

Top 5 Reasons to Automate Test / Averna MAXIMIZE

EQUIPMENT USAGE 2

AUTOMATION CAN ALSO SAVE FLOOR SPACE AND IMPROVE PROCESS FLOW.

FLOOR SPACE

ELIMINATEHUMAN ERRORS3.

People make mistakes. And even when one person might not make mistakes when testing, he or she might test di�erently than another person, follow di�erent procedures, or even vary the testing depending on the time of day or day of the week, etc.

One thing is sure – if you are doing a lot of manual testing that depends on a high number of operator actions, there are almost unlimited possibilities for problems, inconsistencies and oversights. And when operators use paper-based instructions, there are additional training and e�ciency issues.


EVeN ThE BeSt tEsTeRs, LiKe me, cAn mAkE MiStAkEs.

3

A�er more than 15 years in the business, we have seen the results of the human-operator factor in the production process – manual testing and shop-floor improvisation put product quality and brands at risk by introducing variance into the test process.

By automating as many processes and tests as possible, you will increase the repeatability and consistency of results. A solidly automated system can ensure operators are never required to touch the test station, its instruments or cabling, and cannot modify test settings or skip steps.

ELIMINATEHUMAN ERRORS

MINIMIZE AND SIMPLIFY OPERATOR INTERVENTIONS.


CONSISTENCY

IMPROVE PRODUCT QUALITY4.

Of course the ultimate goal of all testing is perfect – and perfectly consistent – products. As designed, an automated system should ensure that the ��h, ��ieth, and hundredth unit o� the line are identical, having been subjected to exactly the same tests in the same order.

If the system is testing to the designers’specs, such desirable results will likelyalso lead to excellent product reviews,increased market share and better bottom lines. But put an under- or inconsistently tested product on the market and the e�ects could be almost the opposite.


DOn’T RoLl tHe

DiCe WiTh

PrOdUcT QuAlIty!

An automated test system can help deliver the highest product quality by:

• Ensuring your �nished product conforms as closely to its design specs as possible • Executing the same tests, in the same order, on every unit to ensure uniform results • Reducing human interaction with units, equipment, and processes • Automatically con�guring sales orders, installing the latest �rmware, etc. • Correlating and storing test results for compliance, QA, traceability and decision-making purposes

AUTOMATE QUALITY IN YOUR PROCESSES.

4 IMPROVEPRODUCT QUALITYTop 5 Reasons to Automate Test / Averna

LOWERRESOURCE COSTS5.

Another signi�cant goal of any automation initiative is to save money and reduce resource requirements. Manual testing is time consuming and, to do it right, you need properly trained operators and in-depth documentation.

By automating your test logic and steps, however, you can signi�cantly reduce your training and documentation costs, among other savings. For example, you can incorporate barcode scanning, audio/visual alerts, and multi-up �xtures so operators focus on e�cient UUT loading rather than monitoring progress and making inputs.


BUiLd mOrE DeCiSiOn-MaKiNg InTo yOuR ArChItEcTuRe.

5LOWERRESOURCE COSTS

As OEMs search for ways to make their manufacturing processes leaner, they should also consider how automation can eliminate many repetitious and even redundant tasks on the shop floor.

Any near-term investment in automation will lead to long-term CapEx and OpEx savings by: • Making it easier to �nd and train operators due to reduced number and complexity of tasks • Creating a paperless production environment • Freeing up operators to perform other tasks such as part assembly and pack out

AUTOMATIONCAN DELIVER

IMPRESSIVE ROI.


WHETHER YOU’RE A PRODUCT DESIGNER, ENGINEER OR TECHNICIAN, LEARN MORE ABOUT TEST BEST PRACTICES FROM OUR EXPERTS _

WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN’T AND WHAT THE TRENDS ARE.

www.averna.com

C A N A D A U N I T E D S T A T E S M E X I C O E U R O P E J A P A N

JUsT Don’T TeLl oUr “TeSt-y” cEO – hE ThInKs We’Re cRaZy gIvInG AwAyKnOw-HoW LiKe tHis.

THIS GUY IS SO DEDICATED TO TEST AUTOMATION THAT HE RUNS

HIS LIFE IN BATCH AND PARALLEL MODES, SPORTS A TAKT TIMEPIECE

FOR CONTINUAL PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT, AND IS NICKNAMED

“HUMAN OUTSIDE THE LOOP.” FOR FUN, HE IS CONVERTING HIS VINTAGE

BLENDER COLLECTION INTO DANCING ROBOTS.

FOr tHiS WhItE PaPeR We cOnSuLtEd oNe

Of oUr mOsT SaVvY TeSt aUtOmAtIoN ExPeRts.

rEaD oUR oThEr eBoOkS

oN dEsIgNiNG aND dEpLoYiNG tHe BEsT TEsT STaTiOnS AnD MoRe!

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top 5 reasons to automate test - averna test guru

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