Test Equipment - Page 2 of 3: Test Handlers

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Semiconductor Test Equipment - Page 2 of 3

Test Handlers

Mass production electrical testing can only be possible by attaching a test handler to an ATE. A test handler (see Fig. 2) refers to the equipment used in presenting the unit to be tested to the test site of the ATE, allowing the ATE to test the unit. After testing, the handler puts the unit to the appropriate output location based on the ATE test results.

See Also:

Test handlers vary widely in configuration. Some use gravity to bring the device under test (DUT) to the test site and to reload them back into tubes. Others use special electromechanical or pick-and-place systems to accomplish this. Some handlers can only be assigned to one tester, yet some can be allocated to eight or more testers. A typical test handler is equipped with a loading or input stage, a test site, a sort shuttle, an unloading or output stage, various sensors, and interfaces to the tester.

For gravity-fed handlers, the input stage usually consists of input tracks into which the input tubes containing the units to be tested are inserted. The units slide down the input track into the test site for testing. After testing, the unit is then transported by the sort shuttle to the appropriate output track based on whether the unit is good or bad. Pick-and-place handlers usually pick the units for testing from a tray and present them to the test site for testing. After testing, the pick-and-place system takes the unit and puts it into the appropriate output tray.

Component Test Handler Manufacturers:

Advantest Corp., Tokyo, Japan
Advantest claims to be the world's largest manufacturer of component test handlers. It has manufacturing, sales, and service facilities world wide.

Aetrium Corp., N. St. Paul MN
Aetrium develops and integrates proprietary technologies into production-based test and handling systems used by the worldwide electronic component and semiconductor industry.

Avisa Corp. Vacaville, CA
Avisa Corporation offers the AV-280 is a state of the art, fully automatic Pick and Place IC handling system. Off the shelf proven components (Drivers, I/O Controllers etc.) are designed in resulting in extremely high accuracy and reliability, the AV-280 will handle devices up to 40 mm square, quickly and accurately.

DB Design, Milpitas, CA
DB Design Group is leading after-market supplier of Change Kits for DUT handlers. It promises short lead times and lower cost.

Lorlin Test Systems
Lorlin Test Systems, a greater Boston area company manufactures, sells and supports their line of Automated Testing Equipment and Automated Handling Equipment for Discrete Semiconductor Components.

RASCO AG
RASCO AG, located in Kolbermoor, Germany, manufacturers high speed gravity feed handlers

Simmpro
SimmPro (Tustin, CA 714-505-9600) suppies automation products including DIMM handler, SIMM handler, circuit board labeler, shipping tray loader, multi-site handler, and various circuit board packaging products.

Synergetix
Synergetix designs and manufactures custom modules,test sockets, and interfaces.

Shinano Electronics Company Ltd. (SYNAX)
Synax has been manufacturing of high quality pick and place handlers for the surface mount device industry for over 10 years.

Figure 2. Three examples of Test Handlers

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