June 2025
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vations rather than system vali- dation.” According to Engler, compa-
nies prefer to keep testing and development in-house for various reasons. “For most companies, the first instinct is to allocate internal engineering resources. This approach ensures direct con- trol over the project but intro- duces inefficiencies,” he says. Engineers, whose expertise
lies in other areas, must take on responsibilities outside their core competencies, requiring them to assemble a solution without in- depth knowledge of testing sys- tem design, component sourcing, or software integration. This not only diverts their focus from pri- mary tasks but may also lead to suboptimal solutions and in - creased project timelines. Intepro creates the docu-
mentation including user manu- al, drawings, and schematics for the system which can be exten- sive and is extremely time con- suming. The company also trou- bleshoots errors that may arise in the system to avoid having customers pull engineering resources away from their tasks.
Typical Solution A typical automated test
solution consists of hardware, software, test instruments, sig- nal sources, and test probes or handlers. Software also plays a critical role in test development and management of data collec- tion, storage, reporting, and analysis. These components are usu-
ally consolidated into all-in-one test stations, which vary greatly in size and portability, from small, compact test stations on wheels, to large stationary test towers. Even when manufacturers
seek to maintain control over the design of their Automated Test Equipment (ATE), they often turn to a hybrid approach that still involves bringing in outside experts, according to Engler. “A few of our customers
choose to manage their own test stations using internal resources while relying on us for specific components and software. This allows them to maintain control over the design while integrating proven, high-quality elements into their systems,” says Engler. A company like Intepro,
which specializes in power elec- tronics testing specifically, can offer many of the products used in test stations including AC and DC power sources, AC loads, and other standalone equipment. Intepro’s test systems use
off-the-shelf equipment, so engi- neers can independently search for and purchase these compo- nents. However, the sourcing process can be overwhelming,
particularly when faced with an extensive selection. A simple request such as finding a 30V, 5A power supply can quickly lead to sifting through hundreds of thousands of options. Companies like Intepro
have a list of pre-vetted suppli- ers, eliminating guesswork in selecting reliable components and reducing sourcing time. Beyond technical specifica-
tions, sourcing requirements adds another layer of complexity, particularly in industries like aerospace. The county of origin of a component matters, and while
sourcing from overseas suppliers is not an automatic disqualifier, it does raise additional consider- ations.
Even the software can be
purchased as a standalone prod- uct if needed. Every system requires test program software, which plays a critical role in test development and the manage- ment of data collection, storage, reporting, and analysis.
PowerStar Intepro’s offering, called
PowerStar, provides simplified drag-and-drop test routines
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Rethinking the “DIY” Approach to Test Equipment Design... Continued from previous page
designed to dramatically reduce development of test programs, from single instrument function- al control to full test procedures with easy-to-use parameter entries. Engineers can customize
their programs without having to write code or assemble graph- ical components. The software solution allows
for modifications when project requirements shift. Over time, the system’s hardware compo- nents deteriorate or become out- dated. Alterations in test project
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