ECT Launches New Board Marker Probe for Reliable PCB Testing

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ECT adds the next generation board marker probe to its industry proven portfolio of ICT / FCT probes. The BMP-4 incorporates innovative and industry-leading features that result in superior performance, ease of use and maintainability.

ECT’s BMP-4 Board Marker Probe is designed for installation on bare board or loaded board test fixtures. It has been designed to combine ease-of-operation and maintainability with highest performance. The BMP-4 is easy to fixture and facilitates simple scribe tip replacement. The 10 mm diameter allows fine pitch probe placement. The BMP-4 is fully adjustable in z-direction. With more than 50,000 cycles before tip replacement and a durable motor, it is the ideal solution for high volumes.

When the tester is equipped with the appropriate electronics and software, the BMP-4 scribes a permanent circle on every “passed” PCB or device tested. Boards that fail the test are not marked. The risk of human error is eliminated in PCB testing and sorting.

When activated, the spring-loaded scribe tip contacts the PCB surface. The 12 V DC motor rotates the scribe in a counter clockwise direction and leaves a .050” (1.27 mm) circle mark onto the PCB. The probe requires less than .400” (10 mm) of fixture area when mounted into a threaded hole. It’s designed to mark board areas comprised of bare glass (FR4), solder mask over glass, copper, or bare tinned copper.

The probe features a full length threaded housing which allows for maximum adjustability in the Z-direction. Spare tip replacement assemblies are available.

Tony DeRosa, Senior Product Manager, comments: ”This board marker probe builds on our extensive experience in providing solutions for in-circuit and functional test as well as our operational knowhow to integrate electro-mechanical assemblies. The BMP-4 adds to ECT’s industry proven board marker probe BMP-1 series.”

ECT BMP-4 board marker probes meet the need for cost efficient and highly reliable in-circuit and functional test solutions.

About Everett Charles Technologies (ECT)

ECT (headquartered in Fontana, CA) is the world's leading manufacturer of POGO contact probes for a wide range of applications including industrial, medical, military, connectors and testing bare and loaded printed circuit boards. We invest in R&D programs which address engineering and materials issues that will impact contact solutions for the next decade. Methods for maintaining electrical continuity in miniature probes, improved spring technologies and probe head geometries are under continual review. ECT POGO contacts are marketed worldwide through sales offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. ECT is a company of Xcerra Corporation, which provides capital equipment, interface products, and services to the semiconductor, industrial, and electronics manufacturing industries. Xcerra Corporation offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions and technologies, and a global network of strategically deployed applications and support resources.