High-Speed Camera ＋ data Logger = PLEXLOGGER The ultimate solution for dramatically increases the efficiency of evaluation and verification on site

We develop printed circuit boards to mount small electronic parts. We conducted durability reviews by conducting drop tests during the development process; however, we faced a problem in the process. The review process accounted for 30% of the total man-hours required for the development process. However, simulation and design processes took time, and it was difficult for us to spare sufficient time for the review. In the actual review process with a finished prototype, it was often the case that the result was not as expected and the result of the drop tests was not satisfactory. To tell the truth, we spent almost two months looking at a broken printed circuit board and estimating the causes so as to rework.

We positioned the high-speed camera and dropped a product to which an acceleration sensor was attached, from different angles and heights to analyze the tendency of the deflection, deformation, and warpage of the PC board. We observed that damage was caused for a certain angle and distance. On the basis of this information, we prepared prototypes of different materials and with different paints to conduct analysis.

At the beginning of the drop test, many PC boards are damaged. We used videos showing stripped and bent parts and conducted numerical analysis of the angles and the strength of the impact by considering various aspects to create a database and narrow down the factors to be improved. We showed the video to a manufacturer of the PC board material and a process department in our company to jointly review the PC board material and processing methods. This helped us identify the optimal conditions.

To Sample Movie

The joy in detecting the problems that could previously not be identified is not only because of the video taken with the high-speed camera but also due to the quantification of the video with analog waveforms. Rather than implementing improvements at random, people concerned made all out efforts toward the same goal, aiming to reduce the number by a specific percentage. We also had a pleasant surprise when we began to use PLEXLOGGER: young engineers began to use this tool very often in various situations, as it is east to carry and operate. They show me the video and specify the locations where they want to take measurements, the man-hours required, the risks involved, etc. They use measurement functions for determining the angle and distance and use flow-line tracking to design materials according to specifications, both for the company’s own use as well as for clients. It is easy for me to use PLEXLOGGER for discussions with clients and for suggesting improvements to a design. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this new tool fosters communication among people within and outside the company, e.g., between engineers and customers; I can say that this tool accelerated the project.