Testing and Inspection

PCB Assembly Testing and Inspection Services

At Sierra Assembly, we understand that customers demand durable, reliable, and high-performing circuit board assemblies. The long-term performance of a PCB depends on comprehensive printed circuit board testing and precise pcb inspection. Our pcb testing services are designed to detect defects early, ensure compliance with industry standards, and reduce costly rework.

By combining rigorous circuit board testing with supporting pcb inspection, we deliver assemblies that are accurate, reliable, and ready for critical applications in medical, aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors.

Why PCB Testing is the Focus?

While pcb inspection ensures that boards are physically free of defects, the primary goal of our services is PCB Testing, which verifies that every circuit board functions as intended. Proper testing is essential for:

• Early Defect Detection: Identify shorts, opens, and faulty components before they cause failure.
• Quality & Reliability: Ensures boards meet stringent requirements for critical applications.
• Cost Savings: Detects defects early to prevent scrap, recalls, and warranty claims.
• Compliance: Meets IPC, UL, ISO, and other regulatory standards.

Our Comprehensive PCB Testing Services

We provide a suite of pcb testing services for every stage of assembly. Each service is performed by skilled engineers using advanced equipment. Learn more about each service on its dedicated page:

• GenRad 2283 & GenRad 2280S
• Bed of nails fixture
• Open Express with Boundary Scan

Want to learn more about our ICT services in detail? Explore Our ICT Page to see how Sierra Assembly ensures flawless PCB performance.

• BX AOI with 5-megapixel color imaging
• 1 top-down and 4 side-angle cameras
• Quick setup, high speed, and low false failure rate

• Glen Brook RTX-113 X-Ray System
• Scienscope 19” Camera System

Want to ensure defect-free, high-reliability PCBs? Learn more about our X-Ray Inspection services and see how Sierra Assembly guarantees quality even in the most complex assemblies.

• Bandit APE Rework Station
• Tektronix 7704A Oscilloscope
• Sony color 65 power inspection camera

Need expert PCB repair and rework solutions? Discover our PCB Rework Services and see how Sierra Assembly ensures reliable, production-ready boards every time.

• Carpenter Model 70D wire stripper
• Cirrus 1100 H+ Hi Pot Cable Tester
• Pico Crimping Tools Model 400B
• Ideal Industries Model 45-754 Measure, Cut & Strip

Want to ensure flawless wire harness and mechanical assembly? Explore our Wire Harness Testing Services to see how Sierra Assembly validates your boards for safety and performance.

difference between PCB Testing and PCB Inspection

Feature	PCB Testing	PCB Inspection
Purpose	Verify electrical functionality and performance of the PCB	Detect physical, structural, and assembly defects
Focus	Electrical continuity, component operation, shorts, opens	Solder joints, misaligned/missing components, internal defects
Methods	In-Circuit Testing (ICT), Functional Testing, Hi-Pot testing, Oscilloscope checks	Automated Optical Inspection (AOI), PCB X-Ray / BGA X-Ray, Visual inspection
Equipment Used	ICT testers, functional test rigs, oscilloscopes, power testers	AOI machines, X-Ray systems, microscopes, cameras
Goal	Ensure PCB works as intended in its circuit	Ensure PCB meets visual quality standards and is free of defects
User Intent / Benefit	Confirm board functionality for real-world applications	Confirm assembly quality, reliability, and compliance with standards
Examples	Circuit board testing, printed circuit board testing	PCB inspection, pcb board inspection, x ray solder joint inspection
Critical For	High-reliability applications (automotive, medical, aerospace)	Defect-free assembly, long-term reliability, regulatory compliance

Key Objectives & Benefits of PCB Testing

• Error Mitigation: Detect shorts, opens, misaligned components, and defective solder joints early.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure each board meets IPC and customer standards.
• Cost Reduction: Prevent defective boards from advancing, reducing scrap, recalls, and warranty claims.
• Reliability: Critical for high-reliability applications like medical, automotive, and military systems.
• Enhanced Product Performance: Ensures consistent circuit board operation across applications.

Common Problems in PCB Testing and How We Solve Them

Common Problem	Impact	Our Solution
Shorts or Opens	Boards fail functional tests, leading to rework	Our In-Circuit Testing (ICT) detects shorts and opens early, preventing defective boards from advancing
Misaligned or Missing Components	Causes intermittent failures or complete board malfunction	Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) identifies placement issues before soldering completes
Hidden Solder Joint Defects	Difficult to detect visually, especially in BGA components	PCB X-Ray inspection and x ray solder joint inspection reveal internal defects without damaging the board
Inconsistent Test Results	Leads to uncertainty about board quality	Standardized printed circuit board testing protocols and skilled engineers ensure repeatable, accurate testing
Rework Delays	Slow project timelines and increased costs	Our Rework Services quickly correct defects while maintaining high quality standards
Electrical Connectivity Issues in Wire Harnesses	Malfunction in assemblies with mechanical/wiring components	Mechanical Assembly & Wire Harness Testing ensures proper connectivity and insulation

Why Choose Sierra Assembly for PCB Testing

Nordson/Yestech Benchtop Automated Optical Inspection System for (AOI)- Model-BX AOI

• Its features include:

• 5 megapixel color imaging

• 1 top-down & 4 side angle cameras

• Quick set-up

• High speed

• High defect coverage

• Low false failure rate

Nordson YESTECH's advanced 5 megapixel color camera imaging technology offers benchtop PCB inspection with exceptional defect coverage. This benchtop system inspects solder joints and verifies correct part assembly enabling users to improve quality and increase throughput. The optional four side viewing cameras add additional inspection capabilities found only on in-line systems.

Programming the BX is fast and intuitive. Operators typically take less than 30 minutes to create a complete inspection program including solder inspection. The BX utilizes a standard package library to simplify training and ensure program portability across manufacturing lines. Programs created with the BX are also compatible with Nordson YESTECH's complete line of AOI systems.

Advanced Fusion Lighting™ and newly available 5 megapixel image processing technology integrates several techniques, including color inspection, normalized correlation and rule-based algorithms, to provide complete inspection coverage with an extremely low false failure rate.

The BX is equally effective for paste, pre / post-reflow and even final assembly inspection. Remote programming maximizes machine utilization and real-time SPC monitoring provides a valuable yield enhancement solution.

EVOCAM II Digital Microscope

Capable. Powerful. Adaptable.

EVO Cam II is a powerful, versatile, yet easy-to-use, high definition digital microscope. Flexible configuration options deliver excellent image quality and optical magnification up to 760x. Digital zoom takes you further. What’s more, a range of precision objectives and wide-field lenses let you choose a configuration that’s an exact match for your unique and individual needs. It’s everything you would expect from a Vision Engineering microscope.

Why Choose Sierra Assembly for PCB Testing

Sierra Assembly delivers reliable pcb testing services with multiple layers of pcb board inspection, inspection pcb, and circuit board inspection. Our advanced pcb xray tools ensure high-quality yield, early defect detection, and cost efficiency.

Compliant with IPC, UL, and ISO standards, our skilled engineers provide precise printed circuit board testing, x ray solder joint inspection, and thorough PCB inspection for critical applications.

Ready to ensure flawless PCB performance? Request a Quote today, or Consult Our PCB Testing Experts for guidance tailored to your project requirements. Have questions? Call us directly or email sales@sierraassembly.com to get started.