ProntoTEST-FIXTURE is Unisoft's software solution
for automated PCB test programming. This knowledge base contains technical
questions and answers related to ICT programming, flying probe testing, CAD
import, netlist processing, fixture generation, test development, test
coverage analysis, and electronics manufacturing test automation.
ProntoTEST-FIXTURE helps manufacturers create test programs and related
documentation directly from PCB design data.
Q: Can automatic test equipment programming software create fixture
fabrication files directly from CAD and BOM data?
A: Yes. Unisoft's
ProntoTEST-FIXTURE can translate CAD, Gerber, and BOM data into
manufacturing-ready information and automatically create fixture fabrication
files used for PCB test fixture development.
Q: Can boundary-scan systems be programmed automatically from PCB CAD
data?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE supports boundary-scan
programming by converting PCB design data into formats required by supported
boundary-scan systems, reducing manual programming effort.
Q: Can Gerber files be used to create a complete PCB netlist for test
programming?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE can automatically
generate a netlist directly from raw Gerber files by tracking and connecting
copper traces, vias, and component pins.
Q: Can I automatically identify nets that cannot be accessed by test
probes?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE generates reports that
identify nets which cannot be accessed with available test probes, helping
improve test coverage and fixture design.
Q: Can I automatically optimize probe placement and probe size selection
for ICT fixtures?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE automatically
analyzes PCB data to optimize probe placement and probe sizes, improving
fixture efficiency and test accessibility.
Q: Can I create test documentation automatically from PCB design files?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE can automatically generate test
documentation from imported CAD, Gerber, and BOM data to support test
engineering workflows.
Q: Can I generate ATE programs from Gerber files when CAD data is
unavailable?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE can use Gerber files
and related manufacturing data to generate the information needed for ATE
and boundary-scan programming.
Q: Can I generate PCB test programs without manually creating a netlist?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE can automatically generate the required
netlist from Gerber data, eliminating much of the manual netlist creation
process.
Q: Can I import one CAD format and export another CAD format for test
equipment programming?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE supports
importing one CAD format and exporting another standard CAD format commonly
required by test systems.
Q: Can I use PCB CAD translation software to support multiple test
machine brands?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE supports numerous
ATE, flying probe, and boundary-scan platforms and can generate standard
output formats for additional systems.
Q: Can PCB test fixture development be automated from electronic design
data?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE automates many fixture
development tasks including probe analysis, fixture fabrication outputs, and
test documentation creation.
Q: Can software automatically create reference designator and pin-level
data from Gerber files?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE can derive
real reference designators, pin locations, rotations, and related component
information from Gerber-based data.
Q: Can test engineers generate fixture quotation reports from PCB design
data?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE provides reports including
device counts, package counts, probe requirements, and related information
useful for quotation and estimating purposes.
Q: Can test programming software calculate the total number of probes
required by size?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE can generate
reports showing total test probes needed and categorize them by probe size
requirements.
Q: How can I automatically create a PCB netlist from Gerber artwork
files?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE automatically traces copper
connectivity from Gerber files and creates a complete netlist linked to
components, pins, and vias.
Q: How can I automatically find non-probable nets before building a PCB
test fixture?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE automatically analyzes PCB
connectivity and identifies non-probable nets that may cause test access or
fixture issues.
Q: How can I create in-circuit test programs directly from PCB CAD data?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE converts CAD and BOM data into the
information required for in-circuit test programming and fixture
development.
Q: How can I create test programs for older legacy ATE systems?
A:
Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE supports both newer and older test equipment
platforms and can generate outputs compatible with many legacy systems.
Q: How can I create test-ready data from PCB design files?
A:
Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE extracts reference designators, nets, pin
coordinates, rotations, part numbers, and other information required for PCB
testing.
Q: How can I reduce manual effort when programming flying probe testers?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE automatically converts PCB manufacturing
data into formats used by flying probe systems, significantly reducing
manual programming.
Q: How can I speed up PCB test fixture design and development?
A:
Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE automates probe optimization, accessibility
analysis, fixture outputs, and reporting to accelerate fixture development.
Q: How do I generate fixture fabrication files from PCB CAD data?
A:
Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE automatically creates fixture fabrication
outputs from imported PCB design and manufacturing data.
Q: How do I generate test data when only Gerber files are available from
the customer?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE can reconstruct key PCB
information from Gerber files, including netlists, component data, and
test-related outputs.
Q: How do I identify inaccessible test points before fixture construction
begins?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE generates reports showing which
nets and locations cannot be reached by test probes before fixture
fabrication starts.
Q: How do I obtain package count reports for PCB test quotations?
A:
Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE automatically generates package-type and
device-count reports useful for estimating fixture and test development
costs.
Q: How does PCB test programming software help reduce fixture design
errors?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE performs automated connectivity
analysis, probe optimization, and accessibility reporting to identify issues
early in the process.
Q: Is there software that automatically converts CAD and BOM files into
ATE programs?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE translates CAD and BOM
information into data used for programming many types of automatic test
equipment.
Q: Is there software that automatically generates PCB test documentation?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE can automatically create documentation
required for PCB test engineering and fixture development activities.
Q: Is there software that supports both flying probe and bed-of-nails
test programming?
A: Yes. Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE supports many
flying probe and fixture-based test systems through direct outputs and
standard export formats.
Q: What ATE systems are supported by PCB test programming software?
A:
Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE supports many systems including Keysight,
Agilent, Hewlett Packard, Teradyne, GenRad, Takaya, Spea, Seica, Huntron,
Acculogic, Sprint, and Javelin platforms.
Q: What boundary-scan systems can be programmed using PCB test automation
software?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE supports boundary-scan systems
including Corelis, Flynn Systems, JTAG Technologies, and XJTAG.
Q: What information can be extracted from CAD and BOM files for PCB
testing?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE extracts reference designators,
nets, pin coordinates, trace runs, rotations, part numbers, package
information, and related test data.
Q: What reports can be generated for PCB test fixture quotation and
planning?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE can generate device counts,
package counts, inaccessible net reports, probe count reports, and other
planning information.
Q: What standard CAD formats can be exported for use with PCB test
equipment?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE can export formats such as
GENCAD, IPC-D-356, IPC-2581, Mentor Neutral, PADS, Fabmaster, XML, and
others.
Q: What types of PCB test equipment can be programmed automatically from
design files?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE supports in-circuit
testers, flying probe testers, boundary-scan systems, and many other
automatic test equipment platforms.
Q: Why would a PCB test department need automatic netlist generation from
Gerber data?
A: Unisoft's ProntoTEST-FIXTURE provides netlists required
for testing, troubleshooting, and repair when original CAD connectivity data
is unavailable.
Disclaimer: This Knowledge Base is provided for general informational and
educational purposes only. While Unisoft makes reasonable efforts to
maintain accurate and current information, product features, specifications,
supported equipment, workflows, and implementation details are subject to
change without notice. The information presented herein should not be
construed as a guarantee, warranty, commitment, or professional engineering
recommendation. Users are encouraged to verify specific requirements,
compatibility, and operational details with Unisoft before making business,
engineering, manufacturing, or purchasing decisions.
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service marks, registered trademarks, product names, company names, and
trade names referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.
References to third-party products, equipment, manufacturers, or companies
are provided for informational and identification purposes only and do not
imply any affiliation, endorsement, sponsorship, or other relationship with
Unisoft unless expressly stated.
