EEVblog #270 - µCurrent Test Jig - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: xyzzy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2012, 06:19:14 am
content: Dave,It appears to me that you might be able to save a second or two per uCurrent if you set your Flukes to the correct range manually instead of waiting for them to autorange on every unit.I expect you probably thought of that somewhere in the process, but it was difficult to tell from the time-lapse video if you ultimately did it that way.Keep up the good work!

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2012, 10:06:56 am
content: Nice video.One thing I remember from the last batch is that you had several out-of-spec units. Do the machine assembled units have better (or worse?) tolerances than the hand assembled batch?

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2012, 10:56:10 am
content: Hi all,I enjoyed this particular blog..........got me to thinking about all the different test jig/rigs I've built over the years.Some of them just a ways to connect things, others had specialist functions c/w uP's & LCDs etc in them.........I remember our company getting audited on more than one occasion on behalf of prospective clients and them asking me if I had calibration certs for my test jigs...........oops, oh errIan.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2012, 11:00:13 am
content: Quote from: ejeffrey on April 24, 2012, 10:06:56 amIt was almost 100% this time. A couple were right on the border so I kept them aside to have a look at them, and to keep a few spare.The problems in previous batches have been the 10ohm 0.1% resistorsSo I'm not sure if it's just a different (non-dodgy) batch of resistors this time, or it's something in the assembly process. Too much heat in manual soldering perhaps? But whyonlythe 10R resistors?Given that I had that horrible batch that time, I'm always suspicious of them now.Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2012, 11:01:04 am
content: Quote from: xyzzy on April 24, 2012, 06:19:14 amYeah, could shave a fraction off there. I've done that before, but didn't for this video.Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2012, 11:07:58 am
content: Quote from: IanJ on April 24, 2012, 10:56:10 amYeah, I wish I'd have kept photo and docs of the countless test jigs I've done.Calibration and full certification and proving can range from "what are you wasting your time on that for?, we need it NOW!" to spending a month documenting and testing an interconnect cable!Here is a production test jig for a dev board you might know.Dave.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2012, 12:49:38 pm
content: Does the blue plate carrying the nanoboard slide on the rails?Any info/reference about those rails please..

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2012, 12:55:15 pm
content: Quote from: HAL-42b on April 24, 2012, 12:49:38 pmYep, it slides into the PCI connector using the handle.Worked fairly well. Limited life on the corrector of course, but easy to replace on a regular basis.http://australia.rs-online.com/web/p/linear-guides-rails-carriages/3752439/http://docs-asia.electrocomponents.com/webdocs/035d/0900766b8035df18.pdfMaybe not the exact one, but close.Dave.

author: enz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2012, 01:34:36 pm
content: Ah, the Drylins.These things are great and quite cheap for this quality.Here you can find information direct from the manufacturerhttp://www.igus.deThe have their website translated in many languages.Best Regards,Martin

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2012, 01:45:44 pm
content: Misumi is great for configurable components for fixtures, etc. especially handy for people who have no means to modify parts. You can build just about anything right out of their catalogs.I deal with Misumi USA but this is the international link.http://www.misumi.co.jp/english/company/office/index.html

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2012, 01:50:48 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on April 24, 2012, 12:55:15 pmWow thanks Dave, dimensions are exact match to what I am trying to design, height, width, fastener size, everything.

author: JimmyM
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2012, 04:31:50 am
content: Just bought a uCurrent shipped to the US. Love the individual testing on the new jig. Great for testing uP sleep state current consumption. Bigger loads can be handled directly by my Fluke 189.Thanks, Dave. Was looking for an opportunity to contribute.PS. Looking for way to justify Agilent 1253 or Fluke 287.