Benefits from the "big picture"

Patrick T. Flynn President Everett Charles Technologies Pomona, CA Patrick Flynn became president of Everett Charles Technologies (ECT) in May 2005, after previously heading the company's Capital Equipment and Services Group and Semiconductor Test Group. Joining ECT in 2000, Flynn has been instrumental in leading key product introductions, as well as the firm's expansion into Asia. His 25 years of experience in technology management include executive positions in the aerospace, automation, and motion-control industries. Flynn was the first American to receive a Marcus Wallenburg Foundation Fellowship to attend MIT, where he earned an MS in management. To some, the broad product mix at ECT might suggest lack of focus. But as Flynn sees it, this diversity creates a prime vantage point for viewing the emerging needs of test engineers. For more Q&A with Patrick Flynn on probes, technologies for loaded PCBs, and ECT’s global plans, read the continuation of this interview.

A: We keep a close watch on strategic customers to understand their products as well as the markets they serve. Because ECT goes all the way from semiconductors to loaded board test, we get good insights on where electronics test is headed. So, we really have a good window on the future, and that allows us to stay ahead of the curve on our own product developments.

Q: What other steps do you take to foster innovation?

A: Innovation is a key part of our corporate culture, and it all starts with this question: How can we help customers solve their test problems? We have process review committees that bring together technical specialists, sales, marketing, operations, and manufacturing. This is the forum we use to analyze market trends, the technologies required to meet customer needs, and what it will take to manufacture these products.

Q: Can you give an example of a product that reflects this process?

A: A good example is the Eliminator PCB test cell. As you know, printed-circuit boards are becoming more and more complex. Yet companies need to test these boards in a cost-effective way. With Eliminator, you don't need test fixtures, which can be very difficult and costly to build. The Eliminator can test a 24x24-in. panel in less than 2 min, regardless of the number of images per panel, test pitch, density, or test point count. Eliminator also shines in package test, where it can test very fine geometries without expensive test fixtures. With this product, customers can determine what voltages they want to test at—up to 250 V. With high voltage, customers can do a very thorough job of test and more easily pinpoint defects on a board.

Q: What about product breakthroughs in semiconductor test?

A: A key area is testing MEMS devices. This is a fast expanding technology that includes air-bag, ABS, tire-pressure, and rollover sensors, and even drop sensors for PC notebooks. Our German IC handler company, Multitest, has developed some unique approaches for delivering MEMS devices to the test contactor. In flip testing, for example, we make the module that flips the MEMS chip.

Q: You seem to be getting some big orders for flying-probe test systems.

A: Much of that trend can be traced to lot size. It used to be that a board shop might build thousands of a particular product. Now, they build them in lots of 200, 100, or even less. With these flying-probe systems, no tooling or fixtures are required. You get the data, create a program for the tester—and off you go. It's a system that is well tailored for small lots and for cutting cycle time.

Q: How do you achieve zero defects in your products?

A: It really comes down to our ability to get quality data from our customers, which can be a big challenge. Customers have distinct preferences, so we try to set up defaults in our products tailored not only to a company, but to specific engineers and specific testers within that company. This requires a tremendous focus on customer relations.

A useful tool that we rely on—ProWorks—keeps this detailed data in a central repository. This makes it easier for a new ECT engineer coming onto that job to understand a customer's needs. It all relates to throughput. We are a part of the customer's revenue stream. If we can't deliver the test interface they need in a timely fashion, we aren't helping them.