Case Studies on Paramit’s Test Solutions Services

Case Study 1: Testing a Volume RF Product

Paramit received a test setup for a volume RF product that required extensive manual interaction to perform the testing. Each step in the test process required flipping a set of switches and manually measuring and recording the subsequent results. There were over 100 test steps, and the test per board took 45 minutes.

We examined the existing test fixture and replaced all of its manual switches with relays. We then connected it to a PC running LabView software, and developed an automated program that would set the proper relays for each test step and record the results to a database.

The positive impact of Paramit’s test solution was dramatic: test accuracy improved dramatically and we could plot measurement distributions to determine if specific values were drifting from specification. We cut the test time by 75% to 11 minutes per board, thereby decreasing the customer’s costs greatly. The project generated a positive Return on Investment in just four weeks.

Case Study 2: Functional Testing of Power Supply Cards

A class II medical product customer required a functional test to be developed for their power supply cards. Paramit created a test setup that could automatically test and record results, and was configurable to allow for testing of all versions of the card. Our release of the project included all hardware and software documentation to ensure compliance to 21 CFR 820.

Case Study 3: Increasing First Pass Yields Through Test Engineering

A customer was frustrated by a chronic 50% first pass yield on one particular assembly, and transferred the text fixture to Paramit to resolve. Our test engineering team found a switching regulator that was failing to start up, such that the test technicians were replacing combinations of inductors, ICs, and capacitors to get the units to start. The problem appeared to be that the units were outside the Monte Carlo curve.

We examined the circuit’s design with a computer aided design tool. In doing so, we learned that the inductor value was not correct. We tried a different value as recommended by the tool, and the circuit started immediately. We applied the change to several units and all worked properly. After documenting the change, presenting it to the customer, and obtaining and implementing an ECO, our first pass yield increased to well above 95%. Paramit’s test engineering team delivers such results regularly, based on our deep hardware design experience and rigorous test solutions services.