Patent ID: 7259576

Claim:
A method for probing a bead probe on a printed circuit board, the method comprising: aligning a twisting fixture probe with a bead probe conductively attached to a trace on a printed circuit board, the bead probe comprising a localized high point of solder along the trace of the printed circuit board for enabling contact with a probe tip wider than the bead probe without damaging printed circuit board components near the bead probe, the bead probe being the same width as the trace for enabling bead probe placement without modifying printed circuit board lay-out, wherein the twisting fixture probe has a spring with a first end that is mechanically held within a test fixture probe barrel against rotational movement relative to the test fixture probe barrel and a second end that is mechanically attached to a first end of a plunger shaft against rotational movement relative to the plunger shaft; and bringing a tip at a second end of the plunger shaft into compressive contact with the bead probe, wherein the tip rotates as the spring is compressed and wipes the surface of the bead probe, cleaning any contaminants thereon.