Category: Reviews

Dry Transducer Tester Development

Development of a New Dry Transducer Tester I developed a tester that verifies the functionality of transducers designed to operate with water between them, but does so in a completely dry environment. Until now, these transducers (typically supplied by manufacturers like Audiowell or CTS) arrived pre-tested, but as part of our incoming inspection process, we…
DFM in Electronics

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) in Electronics Introduction Design for Manufacturability (DFM) is a crucial aspect of electronic product design that ensures a circuit board or electronic system is optimized for efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality manufacturing. By considering manufacturability early in the design phase, engineers can minimize production defects, reduce costs, and improve overall product reliability.…
PCBA Debugging Techniques

Debugging is a critical part of electronics engineering that ensures a circuit works as expected, efficiently, and reliably. Without proper debugging, designs can fail, leading to wasted time, money, and even safety hazards. 1. Visual Inspection Check for obvious issues before testing with tools. Look for damaged components (burn marks, bulging capacitors, broken traces). Check…
N6705C DC Power Analyzer

A DC Power Analyzer is a powerful instrument used for measuring, analyzing, and characterizing DC power in electronic circuits and systems. It is commonly used in power electronics, battery testing, power supply design, and energy efficiency analysis. I am using the Keysight N6705C DC Power Analyzer in my job for precise power measurement, analysis, and…
Failure Investigation – Antenna Soldering Problem

In this post, I will share my findings from a successful failure investigation of meter designed to transmit information. I was tasked with investigating the source of the fault and identifying the root cause in order to characterize the type of failure – whether in the PCBA circuit, at the component level, in the antenna,…
Improving Tester & Testing Process

I was tasked with enhancing the testing process for both mechanical components and PCBA units. Previously, the testing procedure lacked consistency and clarity, leading to suboptimal quality assessments. The process was time-consuming and not operator friendly, and there was uncertainty regarding the criteria for defining a unit as either PASS or FAIL. My objective was…
NPI: DFT

NPI DFT stands for New Product Introduction Design for Testability. This concept focuses on integrating testability into the product design process during the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase. Here’s a breakdown: NPI (New Product Introduction): This is the process of bringing a new product from concept to market, involving stages like design, development, prototyping, and…
NPI: DFX

NPI DFX typically refers to NPI Design for Excellence (DFX) in the context of product development and manufacturing. Here’s a breakdown of what this means: NPI (New Product Introduction): This is the process of bringing a new product to market, starting from the concept phase, through design and prototyping, to production. It involves coordinating various…
First Pass Yield (FPY)

First Pass Yield (FPY) is a key manufacturing metric that measures the efficiency and quality of a production process. It represents the percentage of products that pass through a process step without requiring rework or repairs. A high FPY indicates an efficient and high-quality process, while a low FPY suggests issues with defects or inefficiencies…
A3 problem solving

A3 Problem-Solving A3 Problem-Solving is a structured, Lean-based approach to identifying, analyzing, and resolving issues efficiently. It uses a one-page A3 report to define the problem, analyze root causes, develop solutions, and track implementation. This method promotes clear communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement in problem resolution. The A3 Problem-Solving method follows a structured approach based…
Process Capability Index (Cp/Cpk)

Cp (Process Capability) is a measure of how well a process can produce output within given specification limits, assuming it is perfectly centered. It compares the spread of the process variation (6σ) to the allowable tolerance range (USL – LSL). Cp (Process Capability): Measures the potential capability of a process assuming it is centered within…
RF Anechoic Chamber

An RF Anechoic Chamber is used to test and measure radio frequency (RF) performance of devices in a controlled environment. The chamber is lined with RF-absorbing materials to eliminate reflections and external interference, creating a free-space condition for accurate measurements. Common Tests in an RF Anechoic Chamber: Antenna Testing Radiation pattern (directionality) Gain and efficiency…
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

I rely on Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) to stay ahead of potential risks in manufacturing and design. This method allows me to break down processes, identify where things could go wrong, and take action before issues arise. By systematically analyzing failure modes, their causes, and their impact, I ensure that processes are…
Battery Impedance Meter

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with a battery impedance meter (KIKUSUI BIM1030), a vital tool in my failure investigations at work. Its primary use is to check the health of special capacitors (HLC) and batteries in our company’s devices. The tool’s ability to measure internal resistance and assess performance makes it indispensable for…
PCBA Electronic Tester Analysis

In the world of electronics testing, accuracy and reliability are crucial. I recently encountered an issue with our testing setup where an Ingun probe did not make proper contact with a via on the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). This resulted in inconsistent test results and wasted time. In this post, I’ll share how we…
Low-Dropout Voltage Regulator

A Low-Dropout Regulator (LDO) is a type of voltage regulator that provides a stable output voltage even when the input voltage is only slightly higher than the desired output voltage. The term “low-dropout” refers to the minimal difference, or “dropout voltage,” between the input and output voltages required for the regulator to function properly. Key…
New-Tech Exhibition 2024

What is New-Tech exhibition? New-Tech Events (part of New-Tech Magazines Group) is Israel’s foremost organizer of hi-tech trade events, fairs, conventions and exhibitions. Our high-profile, accurately targeted events attract large professional crowds and provide a convenient, friendly business environment where many new transactions are generated. Our well-attended events are designed to serve the interests of…
How to Send ZPL Commands to a Zebra GK420t Printer

In this tutorial, I will explain how to send ZPL commands to a Zebra GK420t printer to make it standalone, walk through the process of creating labels step by step. What needed: Zebra printer, in this case its the Zebra GK420t with COM port. Zebra barcode scanner, Im using the Zebra DS46 series. Part 1) …
WatchGaurd – FPGA Controlled Robot with IoT Connectivity

The project I built is a remotely controlled security robot equipped with the ability to transmit images, serving as an efficient and innovative tool for security systems. The ability to control the robot remotely allows for quick and efficient action, with security personnel able to establish an immediate response to events in real-time. The robot…
How to calculate wire gauge (AWG) needed

To calculate the American Wire Gauge (AWG) size you need for a specific application, you’ll typically consider the maximum current the wire will carry and the maximum acceptable voltage drop. Determine the maximum current: This is the maximum continuous current the wire will need to carry. You can find this information in the equipment specifications…