Prober Mechanical Interfaces
A manual or top-loading prober setup is most efficient when the electrical interface is mounted on the prober and hinged so the operator has access to the probe card. Here are four families of hinge mechanisms that handle different sizes of Probe Pin Rings. In addition to these inTEST supplies a wide range of adapter rings, ring insert and probe card trays for both top and bottom loading (automatic card changing) applications.
Standard Hinge for inFLEX and other intermediate height PPRs
The inTEST mnemonic for a complete top loading probe solution is OPIT or Overhead Probe Interface, Top loading. The easiest way for the operator to remove and replace the probe card is to be able to hinge the Probe Pin Ring out of the way. This hinge does exactly that while also insuring that the last bit of travel, when the probe pins contact and compress against the probe card, is perfectly vertical. This prevents the probes from being bent or otherwise damaged from scraping across the board surface. The standard hinge is widely used with the inFlex series of PPRs.
Standard Hinge for Centaur and other tall PPRs
One advantage of the Centaur system is the tall, 59mm, working length of the probe. This hinge deals with Centaur’s height using a unique ‘lifting hinge’ mechanism. This mechanism insures the final part of the compression stroke is perfectly vertical. This keeps the Probe Pin Ring (PPR) probes clean and damage free. In addition this hinge is very resistant to flex. This makes it very good for remote cable interfaces that have offset weight distribution due to the cable bundle placement.
Hinge for 12” General Purpose PPRs
Shown here with the 12” General Purpose PPR frame in place this hinge can be used in applications where it is not easy or desirable to mount the PPR on the test head. With the PPR mounted in the hinge the PIB assembly is much lighter and easier for the operator to handle. With the hinge mechanism to assist in moving the PPR out of the way changing probe cards is simple and fast.
Hinge for 440mm inFlex PPRs
This is the hinge for 440mm inFlex interface users that would like to top load the prober. Designed to work in conjunction with inTEST docking and the inTEST PIB latch this hinge holds any variation of the 440mm inFlex PPRs.
Prober Mechanical Interfaces
A manual or top-loading prober setup is most efficient when the electrical interface is mounted on the prober and hinged so the operator has access to the probe card. Here are four families of hinge mechanisms that handle different sizes of Probe Pin Rings. In addition to these inTEST supplies a wide range of adapter rings, ring insert and probe card trays for both top and bottom loading (automatic card changing) applications.
Standard Hinge for inFLEX and other intermediate height PPRs
The inTEST mnemonic for a complete top loading probe solution is OPIT or Overhead Probe Interface, Top loading. The easiest way for the operator to remove and replace the probe card is to be able to hinge the Probe Pin Ring out of the way. This hinge does exactly that while also insuring that the last bit of travel, when the probe pins contact and compress against the probe card, is perfectly vertical. This prevents the probes from being bent or otherwise damaged from scraping across the board surface. The standard hinge is widely used with the inFlex series of PPRs.
Standard Hinge for Centaur and other tall PPRs
One advantage of the Centaur system is the tall, 59mm, working length of the probe. This hinge deals with Centaur’s height using a unique ‘lifting hinge’ mechanism. This mechanism insures the final part of the compression stroke is perfectly vertical. This keeps the Probe Pin Ring (PPR) probes clean and damage free. In addition this hinge is very resistant to flex. This makes it very good for remote cable interfaces that have offset weight distribution due to the cable bundle placement.
Hinge for 12” General Purpose PPRs
Shown here with the 12” General Purpose PPR frame in place this hinge can be used in applications where it is not easy or desirable to mount the PPR on the test head. With the PPR mounted in the hinge the PIB assembly is much lighter and easier for the operator to handle. With the hinge mechanism to assist in moving the PPR out of the way changing probe cards is simple and fast.
Hinge for 440mm inFlex PPRs
This is the hinge for 440mm inFlex interface users that would like to top load the prober. Designed to work in conjunction with inTEST docking and the inTEST PIB latch this hinge holds any variation of the 440mm inFlex PPRs.