Patent ID: 9714983
Date: 2017-07-25
CPC Classifications: G01R

Claim:
1. A test instrument for use with a sample having a plurality of electrically conducting contact pads, said instrument comprising: a controllable, variable force linear actuator; a probe assembly operated by the linear actuator, said probe assembly having a probe head at one end with a flat surface for contacting and applying a uniform force over a contacted area of the sample during testing, wherein the uniform force is generated by the linear actuator and is variably controllable; a movable contactor assembly including a plurality of contacts for electrically contacting the plurality of contact pads on the sample, wherein the movable contactor assembly and the probe assembly are separate from each other and independently operable, and; a housing on which the linear actuator and contactor assembly are mounted, said housing having an identified area for holding the sample during testing, said identified area oriented in a sample plane; a position sensor assembly for measuring changes in the position of the probe head in a direction perpendicular to the sample plane while the probe head is contacting the sample during testing; and a sensor for measuring a force applied to the sample by the probe head during testing.