Custom PCB Test Fixtures

Custom PCB test fixtures for circuit boards, connectors and electronic assemblies — additively manufactured, cost-effective and available with short lead times.

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Your advantages with our test fixtures

Fast

Design, manufacturing and assembly are all handled in-house. This allows us to deliver first test fixtures typically within 1–3 weeks.

Economical

Designed for additive manufacturing: custom, cost-efficient and without recurring development costs. Identical follow-up fixtures are particularly economical.

Designed for 3D printing

Our test fixtures are designed from the ground up for additive manufacturing – enabling compact designs, free geometries and integrated functions.

Individual

Whether PCB, component, assembly or complete device: we develop the test fixture to match your DUT, test process and requirements.

Compact

Precisely adapted to the DUT – keeping our test fixtures compact and easy to integrate into existing test stations.

Everything from one source

From initial coordination and design to manufacturing and assembly, everything is done in-house – with short paths and few interfaces.

Test Fixture Types

For PCB testing and electronic assemblies, we offer four proven test fixture designs: BAL, PRL, POL and IDL. Each PCB test fixture is adapted to the DUT, contact layout and test process; fully custom fixtures are also possible. Depending on the application, this type of hardware is also commonly described as a test jig. Our additive-manufacturing approach makes compact geometries, integrated functions and special contacting requirements straightforward to implement.

BAL

This BAL design was specially developed for small circuit boards.

Double-sided contacting is also possible with this.

BAL

PRL

POL

IDL

INDIVIDUAL

PRL

The PRL design is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized boards.

It is characterized by very good usability and good accessibility of the circuit board when clamped.

PRL

BAL

POL

IDL

INDIVIDUAL

Prüfadapter für kleine und mittlere Platinen

POL

The POL design is suitable for large boards. It can hold down the circuit board at any point and make double-sided contact if necessary.

The robust mechanism allows contacting hundreds of test points.

POL

BAL

PRL

IDL

INDIVIDUAL

IDL

The IDL test fixture combines a sturdy aluminium frame with linear contacting.

It can be configured for different assembly sizes, high contact counts and contacting from below, above and the side.

IDL

INDIVIDUAL

POL

PRL

BAL

INDIVIDUAL

Are our standardized needle adapters not suitable?

We manufacture custom solutions for you, e.g., for assemblies in housings or contacts on different sides

Individual adapters

BAL

PRL

POL

IDL

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Individual Features

Additive manufacturing gives us the freedom to tailor each PCB test fixture to unusual DUT geometries, dense contact layouts and integrated functions. This is especially valuable for compact bed-of-nails test fixtures where mechanics, contacting and interfaces must fit into a small space.

Display and controls in the test fixture

Side contact

Sensors in the test fixture

Exemption of certain areas of the test item

Test needles from any manufacturer or we will make a suggestion

Electronic components permanently installed in the PCB test fixture (e.g. ISP, measurement cards, multiplexers, etc.)

Contacting of test points, pads, vias, solder joints, connectors, …

Ordering Process

Step 1

Calculate price

Simply calculate the expected cost of your PCB test fixture yourself using our price calculator .
We ask for your understanding that the costs may vary depending on individual requirements.

Step 2

Inquiries

Send us your requirements for the PCB test fixture. In particular, we need:

Number of test points
Dimensions and shape of the board
Information about large, heavy or protruding components
Plugs to be released
Are currents over 1 ampere flowing?
Special requirements

Possible data formats:

Photos / Screenshots / Drawings

3D data of the test object (.stp / .iges)

2D data of the test object (.dxf)

Please use our contact form

Download test point template

Step 3

Inquiries / Offer

We always endeavour to process your queries within 24 hours in order to be able to provide you with an individual offer for your PCB test fixture as quickly as possible. If you have any queries, you can reach us at the email address info@eloprint.de, the telephone number +49 711 50480481 or via the following contact form.

Step 4

Order

When ordering, we ask you to provide a test sample for testing purposes. This will of course be returned to you undamaged together with the PCB test fixture.

Step 5

Development / Manufacturing

As soon as we receive your order, we start designing your test fixture. Once we receive your test piece, we can check the tolerances and smooth functioning and then production can be completed.

Step 6

Delivery

We will hand over your test fixture to a suitable shipping service provider within the agreed delivery time.

Press reports about test fixtures from ELOPRINT

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Frequently asked questions

What advantages do customized 3D printing test fixtures offer compared to conventional solutions?

Custom 3D printing test fixtures offer cost efficiency, fast delivery and customization. They enable precise contacting of assemblies and increase quality assurance.

Can I also get a test fixture for entire devices or other electronic components?

It doesn’t always have to be circuit boards. Individuality is our strength. Whether the circuit board is already installed in the housing, needs to be contacted from different directions or you want to test individual components such as connectors, coils or ICs – we create the right test fixture!

Can individual components (programmers, circuit boards, display elements, etc.) be included in the test fixture?

Thanks to the additive manufacturing of our test fixtures, we can respond to your requirements very individually. Simply tell us the dimensions of the components you require.

I need several test fixtures, how does this affect the costs?

The development and production costs are already shown separately in our price calculator. Since the development costs only occur once, a volume discount is automatically generated. Even if you reorder identical test fixtures at a later date, you only incur the production costs for the individual PCB test fixtures.

Does it have to be a separate contact pad, or can a solder contact on a connector or similar be used?

Solder joints can generally be contacted. However, we advise against this, as the contact can be impaired by flux residues. There are special test needles that enable reliable contact. However, this can affect the service life of the test needles.
Connector pins can also be contacted. However, it is important that the connectors are always in the same place after the soldering process and are not at an angle. If this cannot be guaranteed, floating contact units can be used in the test fixture, which align themselves with the connector.

What is the minimum size of a test point?

That depends on the precision of your circuit board manufacturer. Test points with a diameter of 0.8 mm or more can typically be contacted without any problems. For smaller test points, it is important that the catch holes or the external geometry do not have high tolerances. Basically, of course, the bigger the better.

Are catch holes required on the board?

Two catch holes with as much distance as possible between them are advantageous. The diameter of the holes is not important. If there are no catch holes on the test piece, it can be guided in the test fixture using its external geometry. As with the catch holes, the manufacturing tolerance of the board must be taken into account. In particular, if the board is manufactured in a panel and only broken edges are available, the test points should be larger than the tolerances of the external geometry.

Can ELOPRINT also provide the required hardware and software?

Yes. Send your test specification. We quote a complete test system including the test fixture, test hardware, software, documentation, and commissioning.

Can LEDs be tested in the test fixture?

Yes. Options in the test fixture:
– Visual inspection via cutouts or light guides.
– Electrical check via forward voltage to detect typical assembly faults.
– Sensor boards or LED testers for spectrum and brightness against references.
These options can be combined and automated in the test fixture.

How to contact connectors that are off-position due to assembly tolerances?

Use a floating contacting unit inside the test fixture. It self-aligns to the connector during engagement and compensates tolerances.

Is wiring included for ELOPRINT test fixtures?

Yes. The test fixture is delivered fully wired and ready to use. Consider this in price comparisons. On request you can handle wiring yourself.

Is a “wireless wiring” approach possible?

Yes. Provide a PCB that directly contacts the probes on the underside, e.g., via THT or pad-to-pad with double-ended spring probes. We can supply such PCBs. Benefits in the test fixture: tidy wiring, high repeatability, short and optionally impedance-controlled traces.

What temperature resistance do ELOPRINT test fixtures have?

Baseline: PETG, stable up to ~70 °C. For higher temperatures we offer ABS (~100 °C) or PC (~120 °C) and other materials for climate-chamber use.

What are the main differences between the different 3D printing processes used in the production of test fixtures?

Choosing the most suitable 3D printing process for producing test fixtures is crucial.

Materials : Each process uses specific materials that affect the properties of the test fixtures.

Level of detail : MSLA and SLS offer exceptional precision, making them ideal for intricate parts.

Speed : Printing speed varies between processes, with MSLA often being faster due to its method of curing entire layers at once.

Cost : Cost is also an important factor, with FDM known for its cost-effectiveness, while MSLA and SLS tend to be more expensive due to specialized materials and technology.

What electrical interface does the test fixture have?

D-Sub connectors have proven to be a good standard. They are robust, standardized and available with various numbers of pins. If required, we can also provide other connectors in the test fixture according to your requirements.

What does ELOPRINT need to create a test fixture?

To ensure a smooth process, we ask for the following:

– 3D model of the test object (STEP file)

– Coordinates and pin assignment of the test points (our Excel template)

– Provision of a test object to test the PCB test fixture after assembly

– If you cannot provide everything, please contact us, we will always find a solution.

Can the test fixtures make contact from above and below at the same time?

The BAL and POL test fixtures can be used to make contact with circuit boards on both sides. Lateral contact (e.g. of connectors) is also possible with additional effort.

Which test fixture design is right for my application?

This is always a case-by-case decision. Since the effort and costs for the BAL, PRL and POL designs increase, we always check first whether the cheaper design is suitable. In the illustrations of the individual designs you will find some case studies that can serve as a guide. As soon as you tell us your general conditions, we will be happy to advise you on which PCB test fixture is the right one.

What is the minimum pitch between the test points?

Test points with a distance of 1.27 mm or more (center to center) correspond to our standard and can be implemented without any additional effort. The minimum distance that can be achieved with our technology is currently 0.5 mm.

Is there a maximum number of contacts a test fixture can have?

An exact limit cannot be given as it depends heavily on the position and spring force of the test needles to be used. In addition, each design must be considered separately:

BAL: 50 test points are usual. If the test points are arranged close to the edge and/or the test object is not very large, significantly more test points are possible.

PRL: The transmission of the lever mechanism could easily overcome the force of hundreds of test needles. However, the board is only held down at its sides. Therefore, it must always be considered whether a bending moment that is too great could arise. For large boards with many test points arranged in the middle, the POL design should therefore be selected.

POL: Several hundred test points can be contacted without any problem.

In special cases, it is always possible to reinforce the test fixtures in order to cope with the forces that occur.

Can the DUT be marked by the test fixture?

Yes. The test fixture can integrate a marking unit that dots the DUT based on the test result. Marking is executed reliably inside the test fixture.

Is it possible to lock the test fixture?

Yes. We integrate safety interlocks from various manufacturers and a compact in-house design. The interlock can be tied into mechanical and electrical safety on the test fixture.

Can controls like switches, push buttons, LEDs, or displays be implemented in the test fixture?

Yes. For stand-alone operation we integrate your specified controls directly on the test fixture.

Can angled connectors be side-contacted in the test fixture?

Yes. A linear slide next to the DUT moves in when the test fixture closes, enabling multi-directional contacting in the test fixture.

What currents can the test fixture handle?

Typically 1–3 A. More than 100 A is feasible with sufficiently large test points and waffle-head spring probes for multi-point contact and low contact resistance. The test fixture is designed accordingly.

What voltages may be applied in the test fixture?

SELV is uncritical. For higher voltages we implement appropriate safety measures up to the kV range in the test fixture, including interlocks, covers, and insulation distances. Please inform us in advance.

Is there a maximum component height?

Tall components are recessed or shadowed in the test fixture. This is generally uncritical and is handled in the test-fixture design.

Are plastic test fixtures ESD-protected?

Yes. All test fixtures receive an ESD coating. On request we build entirely from graphite-filled ESD material. Hybrid builds are possible, e.g., ESD fixtures with targeted high-insulation support points.

What is the lead time for an ELOPRINT test fixture?

Typically within 6 weeks for PCB test fixtures. With prioritization, depending on complexity, usually 1–3 weeks.

Contact

Please enter your contact details in the contact form on the right and describe your requirements for your PCB test fixture. We will get back to you shortly.

To ensure a smooth process, we ask you to fill out the template linked below and upload it. This allows you to specify the coordinates of your test points. You can also specify the desired pin assignment for the adapter interface and any special features such as high currents or RF signals. You are also welcome to add any other requirements for your PCB test fixture to this document.

Download template

Contact us at:

info@eloprint.de

+49 711 50480481

Please fill out the contact form for initial contact: