HIOKI Flying Probe Tester FA1816

HIOKI FA1816 Bare Board Tester FAQ

The HIOKI FA1816 is a high-speed flying probe tester for bare PCB inspection. Using HIOKI’s capacitance measurement method, the FA1816 enables fast and accurate testing of unpopulated printed circuit boards without requiring a dedicated test fixture. It is suitable for HDI boards, package substrates, IC substrates, rigid PCBs, flexible PCBs and rigid-flex PCBs. With high-speed inspection, vacuum board fixation, high-resolution camera alignment and optional roll-to-roll integration, the FA1816 helps manufacturers improve bare board inspection speed, quality and production efficiency. Its capacitance-based approach is a highly differentiated solution with very few direct alternatives in bare board testing.

1. What is the HIOKI FA1816 used for?

The HIOKI FA1816 is used for bare PCB inspection before components are mounted. It checks unpopulated printed circuit boards for electrical defects using a high-speed flying probe system and HIOKI’s capacitance measurement method.

2. What is a bare board tester?

A bare board tester is used to inspect printed circuit boards before assembly. It helps detect defects such as open circuits, short circuits and manufacturing issues before electronic components are mounted, reducing the risk of defective boards entering production.

3. How is the FA1816 different from conventional resistance testing?

Compared with conventional resistance testing, the FA1816 uses HIOKI’s capacitance measurement method to perform faster inspection while maintaining reliable test results. This approach can significantly reduce inspection time, especially for complex bare PCB designs.

4. Does the FA1816 require a dedicated test fixture?

No. The FA1816 is a flying probe tester, so it does not require a dedicated test fixture for each PCB design. This makes it suitable for high-mix, low-volume production, prototype boards and applications where frequent design changes occur.

5. What types of PCBs can the FA1816 inspect?

The FA1816 is suitable for a wide range of PCB types, including HDI boards, package substrates, IC substrates, rigid PCBs, flexible PCBs and rigid-flex PCBs. It is especially useful for thin or flexible boards where stable fixation and accurate probing are important.

6. Why is the capacitance measurement method important?

HIOKI’s capacitance measurement method enables fast bare board inspection by detecting electrical characteristics without relying only on conventional resistance measurement. This helps improve inspection speed and can support more efficient testing of modern high-density PCB designs.

7. Is the FA1816 suitable for high-speed PCB inspection?

Yes. The FA1816 is designed for high-speed bare board inspection. In sample comparisons, capacitance-based testing can be significantly faster than conventional resistance-based testing, helping manufacturers improve inspection throughput.

8. How does vacuum board fixation help?

Vacuum board fixation helps stabilize the PCB during inspection. This is especially useful for thin boards, flexible PCBs and rigid-flex boards, where board movement or warping can affect probing accuracy and inspection reliability.

9. Can the FA1816 support automated production lines?

Yes. The FA1816 can support production efficiency through features such as high-resolution camera alignment, accurate probing and optional roll-to-roll integration. These features make it suitable for manufacturers looking to improve bare board inspection workflow and automation.

10. Why choose the HIOKI FA1816?

The HIOKI FA1816 offers high-speed inspection, fixtureless flying probe testing, capacitance measurement, support for many PCB types and reliable board fixation. Its capacitance-based inspection method is a highly differentiated approach with very few direct alternatives, making it a strong solution for advanced bare board testing.