The request was about the creation of a bench for the functional testing, at the end of the production line, of an electronic board capable of generating voltages of several kV. In fact, the instruments normally used for online testing were not able to safely interface with such high voltage points on the circuit.

The project concerned electrical, mechanical and ergonomic aspects, since a mechanism was required for the connection between the device under test and the bench easy to use, reliable and speedy to execute, in order to reduce the time necessary for testing each board.

It was decided to create a stand alone test bench, operating without the need of external devices, equipped with a local user interface.

For the measurement of the electrical parameters and data processing, a microcontroller board was designed, and spring probes were used to contact the high voltage measurement points. Due to the particular arrangement of these points, the probes were hooked to a mechanism capable of gripping them only after positioning the device in its housing, through the rotation of a flange by the operator.

Since very high voltages were involved, aspects relating to operator safety were also taken into account, with the inclusion of an interlock system or powering the device only after its correct positioning and safe locking.

The result of each test is clearly shown on the graphic display and through different colored LEDs.

This test bench was entirely made in house by Florence Engineering, including 3D prints of the mechanical arrangement.