DFT Preparation that keeps test planning under control
Test-program preparation is one of those tasks that can either stay structured—or turn into a bottleneck. Once DFT constraints, manufacturing rules, and multiple tester formats come into play, manual probe planning quickly becomes expensive in both time and quality.
The DFT Preparation Plugin in PCB-Investigator is built to make this process more efficient. It supports test-program planning and creation for machines from Elowerk, Seica, Spea, Takaya, and i3070, combining automation with the control engineering teams still need.
Automated probe creation with rule-based logic
Depending on the test strategy, probes can be generated from test points, vias, THT pins, and—on flying probe setups—also from SMD pads. Users can define minimum distances to surrounding components, spacing between probes, needle sizes, and the number of test accesses per net.
That matters in dense designs. A valid test setup is not just about finding access points; it has to respect physical constraints and production reality at the same time.
A strong DFT workflow is not about replacing engineering judgment. It is about making that judgment repeatable, traceable, and exportable.
Practical flexibility for real design and production flows
Automatically created probes can be edited manually and moved via drag & drop. In addition, each component can be linked to a test model, such as transistor or potentiometer tests. With the EasyLogix Part Library, component contours and test models can be reused, which helps accelerate setup and keep data consistent.
The plugin also supports panel-level planning and multi-step projects. That makes it suitable not only for single-board workflows, but also for production environments where repeated structures and panelized designs are part of the process.
Why this matters for engineering teams
- Automate probe creation based on defined DFT rules
- Support fixture and fixtureless test strategies
- Edit and fine-tune probes manually when needed
- Work with component-level test models and part data
- Export to widely used tester platforms and machine formats
- Assess coverage before committing to machine export
For teams building production-ready PCB designs, this approach saves time where it matters most: before test-program generation and before the first machine export. It reduces iteration loops, improves consistency, and helps bring design and manufacturing closer together.
Learn more about DFT Preparation here: https://www.pcb-investigator.com/en/features/fabrication-tools/dft-preparation/
