This webinar will explain the different test methods used in custom built user interface (HMI) products. We will identify the types of tests performed and when the tests will be selected. We will also discuss the use and need for custom/customer provided test equipment. To learn more information on our user interface solution visit http://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/.

1.  DELIVERING QUALITY SINCE 1952.
User Interface Functional
Test Schemes
04.22.15

2. 2
Introduction
 This webinar will explain the different test methods used with our
Custom User-Machine Interface (HMI) products
 We will identify the types of tests performed and when these tests will
be selected
 During this presentation we will discuss
the below test methods:
– First Article Testing (FAT)
– Functional / Acceptance Testing (AT)
– Environmental Stress Screening (ESS)
– Qualification Testing (QT)

3. 3
First Article Tests (FAT)
 First Article Tests (FAT) are formal one time tests performed to
identify the effectiveness of the manufacturing process, equipment
and procedures
 FAT Tests are widely used by the Military, Aerospace, Automotive and
Medical industries
 FAT Tests are performed on Epec User-Machine Interfaces, Cable
Assemblies and Box builds manufactured at our Largo, FL location
 FAT testing is selected and determined based on the customer
requirements and can be provided per request

4. 4
First Article Test Benefits
 Verify the accuracy of drawings and ensure that they reflect any
changes made to parts design during the prototype design
 Verify the production process in every parameter, rather than just
concentrating on “critical” dimensions
 Verify all tooling used to produce a part, to ensure that it is capable of
producing parts to specifications
 Verify the ability of the manufacturer to meet the needs of production

5. 5
Functional Testing (FT)
 Functional Testing (FT) is a quality assurance process that verifies the
functionally of the product against a specification
 FT tests the functions of the product to include components and the
interface
 FT Tests are widely used by the Military, Aerospace, Automotive and
Medical industries
 FT Tests are performed on 100% of all Epec Human-Machine
Interfaces, Cable Assemblies and Box builds manufactured at our
Largo, FL location

6. 6
Functional Testing Benefits
 Reduces manufacturing and customer risk
 Verify hardware and software functional performance
 Verify product stability
 Verify electrical test

7. 7
FT Case Study
 All products designed & manufactured at Epec’s Largo, FL location
are FT tested
 Each initial production build produces a single FT unit for build and
testing
 FT allows Epec to identify process and test deficiencies prior to the
production build

8. 8
Acceptance Testing (AT)
 Acceptance Testing (AT) is used to validate that requirements of a
product specification are met
 AT Tests are widely used by the Military, Aerospace, Automotive and
Medical industries
 AT Tests are performed on 100% of all Epec Human-Machine
Interfaces, Cable Assemblies and Box builds manufactured at our
Largo, FL location

9. 9
AT Benefits
 Validates hardware and software functional performance per customer
specification
 Validates product manufacturing process
 Validation is monitored, measured and recorded

10. 10
AT Case Study
 Tactile response (feel):
– Membrane switch button is measured by analyzing the amplitude, rise slope, and
overall shape of the force displacement curve
 Dimensional:
– An optical comparator and micrometers are used to confirm dimensional
specifications
 Color Testing:
– Spectra colorimetry is used to measure and control color
 ​Ink adhesion:
– Ink adhesion and durability are measured by cross hatch tape pull and
hardness/abrasion testing
 Adhesive:
– Performance is assessed using a dynamic peel and static shear test

11. 11
AT Case Study – cont.
 Electrical:
– Open/short tests are performed on circuits
– Functional tests performed on active circuits to include LEDs, LCD displays,
touchscreen, etc.

12. 12
Environmental Stress Screening (ESS)
 Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) is a process of exposing a
newly manufactured or repaired product to stresses such as thermal
cycling and vibration in order to force latent defects to expose
themselves by permanent or catastrophic failure
 The surviving population, upon completion of screening, can be
assumed to have a higher reliability than the similar unscreened
population
 ESS testing is widely used by the Military and Aerospace industries
 ESS testing is selected and determined based on the customer
requirements and can be provided per request

13. 13
ESS Benefits
 Improves Quality and Reliability of the product
 Fewer product field failures and returns
 Produces a more robust design
 Provides higher mean time between failure (MTBF)
 Yields a High return on investment
 Forces product maturity
 Improves customer satisfaction and relations

14. 14
ESS Case Study
 Epec has in house ESS capability
 Testing can be designed to be powered and monitored
 Current Military HMI program running a 3 day, 10 cycle ESS program
from -40ºC to +85ºC

15. 15
Qualification Testing (QT)
 Qualification Test (QT) simulates defined operational environmental
conditions with a predetermined safety factor, the results indicating
whether a given design can perform its function within the simulated
operational environment of a system
 QT testing is a formal contractual test
 QT Tests are widely used by the Military, Aerospace, Automotive and
Medical industries
 QT testing is selected and determined based on the customer
requirements and can be provided per request

16. 16
QT Benefits
 Validates product design integrity over the specified operation and
environmental range
 Validates the effectiveness of the design, manufacturing process,
equipment and procedures
 Provides an independent evaluation of customer specification

17. 17
QT Case Study
 Epec provides qualification testing on a contractual basis
 Supporting documentation package
 Epec can provide the following QT Testing:
– Norman Abrasion Wear
– Life Cycle
– Tactile Response
– Force & Distance
– Peel / Ink Adhesion
– Environmental
– Color
– Electrical Parameters

18. 18
Summary
 Epec can support you with your Custom User to Machine Interface
test requirements
 Epec can support your project from Concept – Production
 Epec can assist with all of the testing discussed in this presentation, to
include the following:
• First Article Testing (FAT)
• Functional / Acceptance Testing (AT)
• Environmental Stress Screening (ESS)
• Qualification Testing (QT)

19. 19
Our Products
Battery Packs Flex & Rigid-Flex PCB’s User Interfaces
Fans & Motors Cable Assemblies Printed Circuit Boards

20. 20
Design Centers & Technical Support
 Battery Pack & Power Management – Denver, CO
 User Interfaces – Largo, FL
 Fans & Motors – Wales, UK
 PCB’s – New Bedford, MA & Shenzhen, China
 Flex & Rigid Flex – Toronto, Canada
 Cable Assemblies – New Bedford, MA
 Our Engineering and Design teams are ready to help
our customers create world class and cost effective
product solutions.

21. 21
Q&A
 Questions?
– Enter any questions you may have
in the Control Panel
– If we don’t have time to get to it, we
will reply via email

22. 22
Thank You
Check out our previous webinars at www.epectec.com.
For more information email sales@epectec.com.
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