Printed circuit board tester having a flex and wiping action free vacuum actuated edge connector

摘要

An automated tester for a wired PC board is adapted to receive a wired PC board and secure it in a predetermined position by vacuum pressure. After the board is fully secured in position, the vacuum pressure applied to a fixture having an array of electrical contacts forces the contacts into position on the contact fingers of the PC board to provide electrical connection through the tester to connectors whereby the board can be tested. The contact array is controlled in position to make contact with the board fingers only after all board motion induced by the vacuum pressure pulldown has ceased, thereby minimizing scraping action between array contacts and PC board fingers. The fixture further includes a linkage arm arrangement which increases the contacting force of the array at the point of making connection to the PC board fingers to augment the reliability of contact.