flying probe test basics

can anybody detail how the flying probe testing works for detecting a short on PCB?

The flying probe tester is a fixtureless tester that utilizes several moving arms with test probes to access the test points on a PC board. Typically, the PC board is placed upside down in the tester, and multiple arms with test probes move across the bottom side of the board, touching down on test points and taking measurements. The biggest advantage of this test is that it does not usually require a test fixture. The greatest limitation is that it has long test times due to the arm movements.

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More details here:
Electroviews - Test

Picture and video worth 100 books :

Flying Probe Testing - YouTube

Flying-probe Electrical Testing - YouTube

I want to know how it will be done from the electrical perspective. Will there be any voltage/ current fed on to the testpoints.If yes is it programmable?

explorick said:

I want to know how it will be done from the electrical perspective. Will there be any voltage/ current fed on to the testpoints.If yes is it programmable?

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I answer it in Your second thread.
https://www.edaboard.com/threads/238944/



Of course engineers design and determine what points are tested, with which voltage, and what current, results are monitored. Also capacitance, resistance, inductance can be monitored on determined points. Flying probe also check placement of parts and their locations on pcb. All of this summarized and PCB on end get Pass mark or Failed!

What flying probe can do depends from manufacturer model and cost!




Additional example :

For military PCB manufacturing, after PCB pass all tests, flying probe make photo in high resolution with unique ID, then PCB goes to other manufacturing process, like sealing with epoxy,...

But in the link "What is aFlying Probe Test" they didnt give how it was electrically done. I only understand from your text below that voltage and current are programmable. I was looking for link that would give detailed information on the following text you said:
"Of course engineers design and determine what points are tested, with which voltage, and what current, results are monitored"

See this

**broken link removed**


What Is a Flying Probe Test?



Some manufacturers :
**broken link removed**

Final Assembly Flying Probe Testing Services | Hughes Circuits

**broken link removed**




See Takaya product, one of the best :

Takaya Flying Probe Tester