Tekmos' Blog

Tekmos sells many micro controllers and Flash memories that are in PLCC packages. These mature packages are not being supported by modern handlers, and so we are fortunate to have acquired both a number of MCT handlers, and production kits for packages sizes ranging from 20-pin PLCC up to 84-pin PLCC packages.

While old, the handler is capable of both hot and cold operation, and can test parts at a 1800 uph rate. The handler has a clever mechanism that reverses the part orientation during test. Parts that are fed into the handler with pin 1 first, and leave the handler with pin 1 last. This allows a tube of continuity rejects to be easily retested.

We also use this handler in our programming operations. We pre-program about half of our micro controllers, and to do so, we use the combination of our production tester and the MCT handler.

The MCT handlers are just another capital investment Tekmos has made in order to continue to support mature products.

The temperature forcing probe is a washing machine sized box with an adjustable arm extending from it. At the end of the arm is a small test chamber. The machine can generate a temperature controlled stream of air, with temperatures ranging from -65ºC up to 185ºC. The test chamber is placed over the part, and the air is used to either heat or cool the part. Then we can measure the parts performance at a given temperature. And it has an auxiliary thermocouple that can be placed on the part to precisely control the actual part temperature.

We do this for several reasons. When a new part comes out, we characterize its performance over the intended temperature range. Not only does this confirm the correct operation of the part, it also provides feedback for our design models. We also use the probe when we need to test production parts at temperature and do not have a temperature handler capable of working with a specific package. And finally, we use the probe for failure analysis when a customer reports a problem at a specific temperature.

One issue with the probe is that it will also heat the tester that holds the part. We have learned that the best solution is to use a small extender cable so that the part under test is not directly on the tester. In those cases, where the part must be on the tester, we use sheets of thermal rubber as a top insulator, and then put multiple layers of cardboard under that to protect the tester from overheating. We tried ceramic tiles at one point for the underlying insulation, under the belief that if they worked for the space shuttle, then they would work for us as well. But they did not work as well as the cardboard, and so that is what we use.

The temperature forcing probe is a strong asset allowing us to provide a superior product for our customers.

In life, there is constant, ongoing challenge. These challenges can take many forms. We see examples of this in nature, with the frenetic competitive energy of an ecosystem, bubbling with all forms of life in constant struggle. Or we can find examples in the daily lives of ordinary people, tasking themselves with reasons to strive. For some, these tasks may be to simply work to provide for basic needs. For others, they may find the challenges of life filled with personal objectives, such as improving oneself with knowledge, or pushing themselves to improve a specific physical ability. Whatever the challenge or goal is, there seems to be one constant to make that goal a reality. That is the drive and determination to stay on a task, to see the objective before you, and to move toward that objective with fierce determination. However lowly or lofty the goal, and whether rushing forward or stumbling and plodding, the march must not stop. It is the persistence itself which often wins the day. And as Jim Rohn points out so simply, discipline is the glue that pulls the goal together with the achievement.

A business is no different, or any system within that business. To set the goal, then to make the goal real can only be done with the discipline of effort. When a process is evaluated, what is truly being observed, what is truly being measured, is the simple day to day discipline needed to reach the goal of that process. At Tekmos, we recently went through our BSI Quality surveillance assessment, to verify that our Quality Management System was functioning as represented. We found that indeed, our processes and procedures were functioning as they should. But the real achievement was the opportunity to see that the discipline, the bridge if you will, was in place and moving toward our goals. Our goals are customer driven. And it is good to see that at Tekmos, we have a sturdy, though well-traveled bridge, to bring our customers goals to full achievement.

Tekmos make replacements for mature microprocessors. With the acquisition of Atmel, and we are seeing an increased demand for processors in the 40 pin DIP package. Whereas in the past, we have been dealing with small 100 piece orders, we are now faced with orders of up to 40,000. We had been manually testing the parts, but with the new, larger orders, we needed an automatic handler for testing.

40-pin DIP packages are a very old package design, dating from back in the 70's. They are not very popular, and are not supported by modern handlers. So our only choice was to go to the second hand market, and hope for the best.

In this case, we found a high volume, tri-temperature, 600-mil DIP handler. There are a number of 600 mil DIP packages, including the 40-pin package. We bid on the auction, and won. The handler was in Germany, and so we had to have it shipped back to America.

As you can see in the pictures, it is strange looking machine, but in excellent shape. It did take us a little while to bring it up. The on-board diagnostics were all in German, which none of us speak. Fortunately, the Google translate app in our phones came to the rescue, and allowed us to communicate with the handler. Our only problem was that it tended to throw empty part tubes around. After a few adjustments, the tubes wound up in the correct holding bin, and we have had no other problems.