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loading the test automation shortcut onto each operator’s touch-screen test workstation. Being mission critical, products require effortless trace- ability: the engineers include a call to print bar- coded labels when testing is passed. This links the product to the schematics and data amassed in the test system’s database.


Flexibility and Versatility With flexibility comes versatility. The com-


pleteness that comes with a flexible system allows engineers to tap into a truly comprehensive list of test options to customize automation scripts and prepare a wide range of pass/fail tests for the pro- duction floor. Products that fail scripted tests may be passed to other workstations (e.g. QC) for more complete, unscripted diagnostic testing. This is just one way in which a manufacturer may adapt a versatile system to the needs of a facility. The integrated workflow process concludes


with a shipping stage. This is where a worker crosschecks the barcoded prod- uct against the order and prints trace- able documentation for the customer, including a batch test summary. This seamless workflow is possi-


ble when using a test system with an adaptable, expandable, PC-based mod- ular design. Today’s PC-based systems offer the advantage of being able to capitalize on full-screen, high-resolu- tion color graphics, high-speed compu- tation capabilities, large storage capac- ity, full-sized keyboard, mouse, track- ball, touch screen, voice control, and additional features, while being com- pact and unobtrusive on a test bench. A test system with such flexibili-


ty encourages productivity at each workstation and across a workflow. At the workstation level, it can be as com- plex as required for design and diag- nostics, or as simple as required for automated pass/fail testing. By main- taining a common look and feel at each workstation level, staff can be quickly productive as they switch between product lines or job functions. Such an approach can also be adapted as a product line changes and grows. Different types of test systems are not required at each stage of the workflow, resulting in minimal cross-training. Even when switching, for example, from a low-voltage product line to a higher-voltage (HiPot) product line, operators require little retraining since the test system HiPot hardware and software offer similar look and feel. Using a common test system approach, managers and supervisors enjoy being able to reassign operators with ease and confidence when faced with day-to-day staffing issues such as unexpected absences.


Investment Longevity Maximum investment longevity


— an important consideration when purchasing equipment — involves a cable and harness test system that is expandable and upgradable but also backwards compatible for all system hardware and software upgrades. Such backwards compatibility will provide confidence that the capital equipment, test fixtures, data-acqui- sition electronics, connector cards, and procedures and processes for the system remain viable. This level of flexibility exists with


PC-based cable and harness test sys- tems such as the CableEye® system from CAMI Research. Such a PC- based system can not only test cables, but also provides an integrated soft- ware package for cable design, label- ing, documentation, cataloging, data logging, on-line assembly checking, and test scripting. Such a system helps


www.us- tech.com Cable and Harness Manufacturing


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eliminate errors in transcription, drawing, and rekeying of wire lists as cables pass through design, test, and documentation phases. Christopher E. Strangio, President of CAMI


Research, notes: “Our customers report amazing increases in productivity using CableEye. They have measured production time reduction in just the first few hours of use.” He adds that, “Significantly, for PC-based systems, new software advances can be applied to years-old hardware to keep pace with new test automation and reporting requirements. In fact, several of our customers are still using 15 year old CableEye systems because they have been able to keep them relevant by installing software updates.” Such PC-based cable and harness test sys-


This diagram shows the CableEye netlist and schematic diagram approach from CAMI Research (www.camiresearch.com).


tems provide the flexibility that supports improved productivity. Such test systems ensure usability, and thus investment longevity, across product lines, lifecycles, and generations, and remain rele- vant throughout product design changes. Contact: CAMI Research, Inc., 42 Nagog


Park, Suite 115, Acton, MA 01720 % 978-266- 2655 Web: www.camiresearch.com r


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