Board and Final Product Test
Automated Test Equipment (ATE) can be used to cycle hardware modules through stringent test conditions and calibration procedures. Environmental testing services are also available for accelerated life testing (BURN-IN) of components and to confirm that modules conform to specification under varying environmental conditions.
Testing is not the last thing you think about, it is what gives you confidence in everything that came before it. A robust testing strategy protects your reputation, reduces returns, and ensures that the products reaching your customers are exactly what they are supposed to be. At Intercole, testing is integrated throughout our manufacturing process, not bolted on at the end.
Why Testing and Validation Cannot Be Skipped
Electronics failures in the field are expensive. Whether they result in warranty claims, product recalls, damage to your brand reputation, or in safety-critical applications, more serious consequences, the cost of a field failure almost always exceeds the cost of thorough testing during manufacture. Our testing services are designed to identify defects and non-conformances before products leave our facility, giving you a strong line of defence against field failures.
Board-Level Testing
Board-level testing covers the verification of individual PCB assemblies before they are integrated into a final product. We apply functional test procedures that verify the board performs as designed, and where appropriate, in-circuit test techniques that check for assembly defects at the component level. For complex boards or those with BGA components, we use AOI and Visual inspection to verify solder joint integrity. This is particularly important for BGA components where joint quality directly affects long-term reliability but cannot be seen without specialist equipment.
Functional Testing
Functional testing verifies that your assembly does what it is supposed to do, under conditions that simulate real-world use. We work with you to develop functional test procedures that cover the key performance parameters of your product. Where you have existing test software or test fixtures, we can incorporate these into our process. Where test development is needed, our engineering team can support the development of appropriate test methods. Good functional testing provides the highest confidence that your product will perform correctly in service, and it creates a documented quality record for each unit that passes through our facility.
System-Level and Final Product Testing
For products assembled at the box build level, system-level testing verifies that all subsystems work together correctly as a complete unit. This is the final quality gate before your product is released for delivery, and it is where integration issues between subsystems are most likely to be caught. Our testing capability supports products across a range of complexity levels, from simple functional checks through to comprehensive system-level test regimes for complex multi-board systems.
Test for Regulated Industries
For customers in regulated industries such as nuclear, medical, or defence-related sectors, testing and traceability requirements are particularly stringent. Our quality management processes support the documentation, traceability, and test record requirements that regulated customers need. If you have specific test and documentation requirements, we welcome the opportunity to discuss them during the project scoping stage.
Frequently Asked Questions for our SMT Assembly Services
Can you develop test procedures if we do not have existing test documentation?
Yes, our engineering team can work with you to develop suitable test procedures based on your product specifications and performance requirements.
Do you offer AOI inspection for BGA assemblies?
Yes, we use AOI inspection to verify solder joint integrity for BGA and other components where visual inspection is insufficient.
Can you use test fixtures or test software we have already developed?
Yes, we can incorporate customer-supplied test fixtures and software into our test process, which is often the most efficient approach where these already exist.
Do you provide test records and traceability documentation?
Yes, we maintain test records for assemblies passing through our facility. The level of documentation can be tailored to your requirements.
What happens if a board fails testing?
Failed assemblies are investigated to determine the root cause, reworked where possible, and retested before being accepted. You are kept informed of any issues that arise during testing.