The study considers the development and evaluation of spring contact
probes used for automated testing of printed circuit boards (PCBs)
and assemblies. It considers the evolution of circuit technology
which originated from the introduction of the thermionic valve at
the beginning of the century. Since the introduction of the
integrated circuit in the 1960's, the industry has seen considerable
advances in integrated and printed circuit miniaturisation with its
associated effect on the testability of the completed assembly. The
close spacing between the tracks and pads within the printed circuit
board, which is possibly loaded on both sides with integrated
circuits and other components with fine pitch termination spacings,
has initiated the rapid development of a specialised electronic test
industry to ensure product quality. [Continues.
