In electronics manufacturing, efficient and accurate testing is critical to ensure product quality and operational reliability. To address these needs, the Kitron China team has developed an Automated FCT (Functional Circuit Test) platform that fully integrates robotics, data traceability, and hands-free operation.
The platform was independently designed and built by the test development team in Suzhou, encompassing software development, hardware design, platform assembly, and validation testing. The big strength is that it is a common test platform, flexible enough to integrate a manual tester, making it an automation test solution. It reflects years of experience in optimising general test platforms and addresses limitations of manual testing, such as operator adjustments and visual judgment errors.
How It Works
Based on careful observation of human-machine interaction in production, the team introduced robotics to handle automatic product pick-and-place operations. A six-axis robot simultaneously serves up to three test machines, picking up products from the input location, placing them into the test fixtures, and sorting them into test-pass or test-fail areas based on the results.
The operator’s role is limited to loading batches of products into the system, streamlining workflow and minimising manual handling.
The platform adopts a metal frame structure to ensure stability during operation and withstand high-volume production demands. All test results are automatically synchronised with the traceability system, providing complete product history and supporting quality assurance.
The integration of robotics enables the platform to efficiently handle multiple test machines, while the automated sorting mechanism ensures accurate separation of passing and failing units.
The platform achieves fully automated testing, with all results automatically uploaded to the traceability system. Operators no longer need to manually adjust equipment or interpret test results during the process, significantly reducing human error and increasing operational efficiency.
Further Efficiency Improvements
The successful development of the Automated FCT platform represents a significant milestone for the Kitron China site, laying a foundation for future efficiency improvements.
Looking ahead, the platform can be integrated with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), enabling seamless, unmanned transfer of products:
- Semi-finished products are transported from the wave soldering and inspection stations to the FCT platform.
- Tested products are delivered automatically to packaging stations.
- Failing products are routed directly to debugging stations.
This vision of full unmanned intervention throughout the production line would further reduce manual handling, improve efficiency, and ensure high-quality output at every stage.
Summary
Kitron Suzhou’s Automated FCT platform combines advanced robotics, robust hardware, and full traceability to deliver a hands-free, efficient testing solution. By minimising operator intervention, improving accuracy, and enabling seamless future integration with AGVs, the platform strengthens production capabilities.
Leveraging broad engineering experience and strong competencies in automation development, Kitron China continues to deliver innovative solutions that enhance production performance across Kitron’s global network.
