Vol. 4, No. 4
DiagnoSYS Systems, Inc.
808 North Hoagland Blvd.
Kissimmee FL 34741
800.788.6219 . 407.846.6202
Fax 407.846.6416
{PinPoint Users Group} |{Tech Tips from the Pros} |{Training} |{Spotlight On}
{Editor's Note/Your Comments Welcome} |{Important Links}
The changing landscape of the internet demands that you adapt to change. That's exactly what's happened to the DiagnoSYS Systems web site. It's morphed into more than just a collection of information pages.
A new clean design awaits you on your first visit to our site. We've got some slick graphics to complement the hard hitting flow of information about the Company, our products and services.
You can use the top navigation menu to move around the site, or click on the site map link to rapidly find specific pages. There are a couple of quick links located on the left side of each page so you can jump to eTest-talk (talk about a shameless plug) or the PinPoint Users Group bulletin board system. You can join the Users Group by clicking on the same link, and then selecting 'register' located just below the Login button. Come join us today!
Please come visit us when you have a few spare minutes and let us know what you think of the new site.
Meet the SMT Fine Pitch Challenge
SMT components are shrinking in size on a regular basis. The lower profile of the body combined with the fine pitch between pins complicates our ability to attach test clips to components. Standard, commercial off-the-shelf test clips meet some of the basic requirements, but for fine pitch components they are either too bulky, don't exist or simply don't stand the test of time.
Recognizing this potential limitation motivated our engineers to find a solution that addresses the issue of size and space; and increases the life of the adapter itself. The answer: Interface Test Adapters (ITA) designed by DiagnoSYS.
Interface Test Adapters (ITA) is a new line of modular clips specifically designed to address low profile, fine pitch constraints as well as the tight spaces of an SMT board. The narrow profile allows you to attach to an active device without obstructing access to surrounding components. The precision milled head zeros itself on the body while the mechanical probes ensure good connection with the Device Under Test (DUT).
| Our modular ITA's use a universal ergonomic handle with discreet head assembly for each support device type. The robust design reduces the potential of damage to the probes, but in the event that this may occur, they are field replaceable. | 
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We currently support adapter families for DIP, SOIC, PLCC, SSOIC, QFP (0.65mm), TQFP (0.8mm), SSOP (0.65mm), TSSOP-1 and TSSOP-2 geometries. Developing new heads for the ITA Modular family are underway. If you don't see a device family listed above, let us know what you need at info@diagnosys-usa.com
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let's get ready to rummmmble! |
The 3rd Annual PinPoint Users Group Meeting is scheduled for the Wyndham Orlando Resort on March 7th and 8th, 2006. We have a number of technical sessions planned for the meeting along with a social evening at the Wyndham's Patio Bar.
DiagnoSYS will be presenting papers on functional board level test examples, new libraries, in-circuit ROM dump and many more topics. Attendees will get a preview of new developments that are planned for the upcoming year and an Ask the Experts Q & A with your favorite DiagnoSYS staff members.
Call for Papers
Let us know if you are interested in sharing your PinPoint experiences with the rest of the PinPoint Users Group. We are always looking for user presentations at the meeting. (After all, that's why it's called a 'Users Group.')
Invitations have been sent to attendees of past meetings this week. If you did not receive an invitation and would like to attend contact Donna Turner via email or at 800-788-6219 for more information.
This issue's topic is a tip on how to optimize NETLIST generation and the actual test by using global utility called Clip Cloning.
Clip Cloning allows you to globally change a clip from one type to another. e.g. to change from a 2-pin Spider Clip being used for NetGen to a Probe for use within Program Board. Clip Cloning can be carried out from both Program Board as well as NetGen (Utilities Menus). Select the device size you want to Clone (e.g. 2-pin devices) and then enter the type of clip you want change to. If you Clone a Clip, ALL devices of the selected pin-count (e.g. 2 pins as displayed below) will be changed to the selected Clip Type
A good example of when clip cloning helps is when you have a large number of similar component packages on a board. In this case, we'll talk about a simple 2-lead device. You have 48 two pin devices and you have docked a 2 X 12 spider clip to use for reverse engineering, which speeds up the process. "NETGEN COMPLETE" now you are ready to test but you can't use a Spider Clip to test. You could go to each individual device's properties and change the clip designator to a probe, 48 devices will take a considerable amount of time, or you could use the Clip "Cloning" utility and be done in a matter of seconds.
Want to share some of your experiences? Send your tips to Terry Harvell today!
We've been talking a lot about basic training over the past few issues of eTest-talk reminding you that a well trained staff is an important asset for your success. With the holiday season creeping up on us, training is the gift that keeps on giving.
Rotate your operators through refresher courses during the first half of 2006 and reap the rewards all the way to next year's holiday season.
We hold basic classes monthly at our Kissimmee offices. Let us know how many people you want to train and which month is best for your schedule. We'll do the rest!
2006 Training Dates:
- January 16-20
- February 13-17
- March 13-17
- April 10-14
- April 10-14
- June 12-16
Class size is limited. Contact us today to request a spot in the class.
We are looking at a number of ways to increase the effectiveness of your test operations by expanding our training courses. Among the topics we are considering turning into educational opportunities is a Maintenance Training Class.
Possible content for the class may include preventive maintenance, adding 3rd party hardware (PCI/GPIB/etc), software updates, license management, calibration, diagnostics, troubleshooting, disassembly/assembly for FRUs, etc.
We'd like to hear what topics you'd like to see included in the class - -send your topic requests to Terry Harvell today.
Editor's note: The Spotlight On section of our newsletter will focus on one of our distribution partner, direct staff or an end user of DiagnoSYS products and services. This issue features one of our Kissimmee based staff members.
The Spotlight is on DiagnoSYS' own Jodi Lewis based in the Kissimmee office. Unless you're involved in the purchasing phase, the only time you would get a chance to speak with Jodi is when you call the main DiagnoSYS telephone number. She and Donna share operator duties.
Jodi joined DiagnoSYS three years ago next month. It's a good thing she likes working with numbers with her 24 year background in the banking industry and accounting. That makes her a perfect fit for handling the finances. Best of all, she was recommended for the position by a close friend, who also works in the Kissimmee office.
While her duties revolve around the accounting areas, Jodi has stepped up to the plate in other supporting areas such as purchasing, shipping and customer service.
Far from being a typical numbers person, Jodi has gained a new respect for what's inside the computer she's been using for years. As Jodi puts it, "It's interesting to see how they test and repair the boards, to see how things work."
One of the best things for Jodi is the people she's met since joining DiagnoSYS. That includes everyone in the home office, field and customers alike - "they're wonderful!"
Little did anyone expect the friendships forged at the office to extend deep into her personal life as they did after last year's hurricane season. When Jodi lost her apartment to the storms, the DiagnoSYS family kicked into high gear to help move everything into four small storage units spread between Kissimmee and St. Cloud.
And they showed up again 2 months later to move her from storage into a new home. Now that's going the extra mile!
After the rigors of the office are finished for the day, Jodi spends time watching sports (okay how many ways can you say football), the CIS shows and dancing. She's currently learning the two-step for all those dance fans. It's a good thing her children are all grown and out of the house.
Speaking of Jodi's family, she has two children, a son at West Palm Beach Atlantic on a Pharm.D degree track, and a daughter with her own family in Houston. I guess that means she really has three children, if you count her wonderful son-in-law. We can't forget the two grand kids who have a built in hotel at grandma's when they visit Disney World
Jodi is this years Employee of the Year voted in by the staff of DiagnoSYS. She shares the first year award with Andy Quick.
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