Product category:
ATE Systems
News Release from: Spea
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 17 June 2003
Triple treat for ATE supplier
Spea (UK) has recently signed contracts to supply Erskine Systems, Kingfield Electronics and Methode Electronics Europe with its test systems.
Spea (UK) has recently signed contracts to supply Erskine Systems, Kingfield Electronics and Methode Electronics Europe with its test systems Nigel Priest, Managing Director of Spea (UK) said: "Cost effectiveness, quality and flexibility are cited reasons as to why these three companies have selected Spea's test equipment rather than the competitive systems
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 6 Jul 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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This is due to the huge amount of effort that we put into communicating with our customers in order to determine what their requirements are so that we can provide them with a test solution that meets up to their expectations.
We look forward to continuing our relationship with Erskine Systems, Kingfield Electronics and Methode Electronics Europe".
Spea's bed of nails tester now sits at the heart of the testing regime at Scarborough-based Erskine Systems, part of the TT Electronics group.
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Erskine Systems is a leading designer and manufacturer of battery-based AC and DC secure power systems and is the main supplier of DC power systems to the T-Mobile network for its basestations and switching centres.
Erskine's wide ranging customer base includes companies such as BP, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Orange, Shell and Toshiba.
Erskine is currently working on a major project for MobileOne in Singapore in order to develop and build DC power systems and power management units to support the network expansion that is currently taking place.
Rod Allan, Operations Director at Erskine Systems commented: "The Spea bed of nails testing equipment is in use continually to perform in-circuit and functional testing of the circuit boards that are used in our power systems.
Historically we were using a GenRad bed of nails in-circuit test machine, however due to the fact that Erskine produces medium volumes of a high mix of products and that different fixtures are needed for each board test, it was proving quite costly for us.
Spea's bed of nails tester provides us with a more cost effective solution for the work environment that we operate in".
He added: "The Spea equipment has exceeded our expectations and provides us with a very comprehensive solution to our problem.
It has helped to build reliability and efficiency into our products and due to the fact that each board is tested 100% we have more confidence in the testing process.
It has also provided us with cost savings, greater throughput and reduced lead times.
This means that we can work to tighter deadlines, which is an ever increasing demand in the current economic climate.
I look forward to continuing to develop the relationship that we have with Spea, as we will need support in developing test solutions to support products and technology of the future as companies are ever keen to develop onboard intelligence and Internet compatibility into their products".
Chesterfield-based Kingfield Electronics is due to take delivery of Spea's newest product, the High Line 4040 flying probe test system, which will be used to test all customer projects at the Derbyshire site.
Kingfield Electronics is a rapidly expanding contract electronics manufacturing business operating in the low volume, high quality and high cost market to sectors such as military, medical and industrial applications.
Prior to selecting Spea's flying probe tester Kingfield Electronics was using a combination of bespoke test fixtures designed in-house and by customers, as well as a variety of standard test equipment.
Nick Taylor, Managing Director of Kingfield Electronics explains: "The main need for new test equipment was to automate the final inspection and test requirements in response to increasing throughput and product diversification.
In order to fulfil this requirement, we recognised that a standardised test platform, ideally encompassing both inspection and test functions was needed.
Taking this approach has enabled us to move the emphasis from final inspection towards in-process inspection thereby reducing overall inspection time and increasing both quality and manufacturing capacity.
He added: "We evaluated a range of test equipment and test strategies before deciding to select Spea's flying probe test system.
Spea's system matched all of our requirements due to the combination of three distinct strategies in one product - flying probe, AOI and functional test.
This will provide us with flexibility while still offering the best test solution and increased quality of products for our customers.
Spea has an excellent reputation, and we feel very comfortable with the equipment and the service that are providing us with".
Spea's High Line 4040 flying probe test system is also being used by Methode Electronics Europe's startup facility in Dumbarton, Scotland.
The company manufactures electronic and mechanical assemblies and switches for the automotive industry.
Spea's system is being used by Methode Electronics Europe to perform in-circuit testing and manufacturing defect analysis of the printed circuit boards that it supplies.
The company also works on a number of prototyping projects and using Spea's flying probe tester means that it will be able to provide faster verification and flexibility in testing almost anything for its customers.
Paul Kerr, PCBA Manufacturing Engineer at Methode Electronics Europe said: "Electronics manufacturing is a new area within this particular facility therefore we had to perform a test equipment evaluation exercise in order to identify what was available in the market place.
After we had narrowed our decision down to a flying probe tester we decided to select Spea's High Line 4040 flying probe test system because of the flexibility that it would give us, increased productivity, and improved cost performance".
He added: "The second reason we selected Spea was due to the support package that it offers which is very important to us as a small startup facility.
Spea's package was more comprehensive than the other companies we were evaluating in terms of test development, technical issues and equipment support.
It was also more tailored to our needs and Spea made a huge effort to understand our needs as a customer.
I look forward to continuing the relationship with Spea in the future".
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