No matter what product you're manufacturing, end-of-line (EOL) testing is a critical part of the process. End-of-line testing verifies that the product satisfies its requirements, performs as it should, and meets quality standards.
Implementing an automated end-of-line testing system offers even more benefits to manufacturers. Automated EOL testing can impact the production line by improving test efficiency, identifying issues with product quality, and minimizing defects and downtime.
Benefits of Automating End-of-Line Testing
From identifying defects in production to collecting and analyzing data on the production process, automating end-of-line testing equipment offers many advantages to manufacturers.
Consistency and Accuracy
Automating EOL testing ensures consistent and accurate quality control across production runs. An automated end-of-line testing system performs a comprehensive test on each product that comes off the line using precise tools and standardized procedures. Automating this testing ensures that the quality control process remains consistent and that any defects are accurately identified.
Limiting the operator's interaction on the testing process leads to more efficient and reliable production. With automated end-of-line testing equipment, less operator interaction means fewer sources for error.
Data Collection and Analysis
Another advantage of automating your end-of-line testing system is having access to a record of complex test data. Automated EOL testing systems can collect data on your production lines and analyze it to identify issues and patterns.
Accessing the vast amount of data automatically collected by the EOL test system, users can generate a variety of reports. Manufacturers can identify trends and pinpoint potential issues in real-time. This statistical process control and ongoing monitoring can help manufacturers establish ways to continue improving their production lines.
Enhanced Product Quality
An automated EOL testing system thoroughly puts each product on the line through a series of tests to verify that the product meets its design and functionality standards. With a consistent process for testing each product that is not subject to human error, an automated end-of-line testing system can identify defects quickly.
By pinpointing any potential product issues, EOL testing helps manufacturers ensure that only high-quality products that meet their standards reach the market. This attention to consistency and quality when delivering products can positively impact customer satisfaction and the manufacturer's brand reputation. Customers will know what to expect when interacting with that product or brand.
Efficiency and Speed
It's no surprise that automated end-of-line testing is quicker and more efficient than manual testing. By reducing the risk of human error, the automated EOL test system consistently performs the same testing cycle at a faster pace. This is especially beneficial for repetitive tests and extensive test cycles.
Utilizing an automated end-of-line test system reduces the amount of human effort needed to set up the test and the expertise required to operate it. Automated test systems can quickly detect product or production issues, reducing downtime.
Cost Reduction
While automating your end-of-line testing equipment requires an initial investment of money and time to set it up, it can save you money in the long run. Reducing the dependency on human operators can lessen your labor costs. With an automated EOL testing system to quickly identify issues, your production line will experience fewer errors and downtime, leading to long-term cost savings. Over time, you'll realize the ROI of streamlined operations, improved product quality, and lower operational costs.
Key Technologies and Methodologies in Automated End-of-Line Testing
Automated end-of-line testing utilizes a variety of technologies to streamline testing, collect data, and analyze data to improve operations.
Data Acquisition and Analysis
One of the most valuable aspects of an automated end-of-line testing system is the ability to automatically collect data and analyze it to identify patterns. By analyzing data in real-time during end-of-line testing, manufacturers can immediately detect potential issues and correct them, leading to reduced downtime and improved operational efficiency.
DMC has deep expertise in integrating high-speed data acquisition systems with automated test equipment. We can implement an automated testing system that collects data from disparate sources and large channel-count systems, securely stores it, and displays the data.
Using the NI LabVIEW programming environment, our systems can automatically process and visualize your data. LabVIEW is a graphical programming environment, and its data visualization tools offer real-time monitoring and control of testing processes. This automated approach to end-of-line testing speeds up the decision-making process with real-time data and results in more accurate and efficient testing.
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) can be used to help automate test processes by offering precision control of the test equipment. By integrating with various components, PLCs can improve test operation and reliability.
DMC has extensive experience programming PLCs for end-of-line testing and connecting PLCs to LabVIEW. Many operations that are controlled by PLCs require a more powerful data acquisition controller for complex algorithms or large data arrays. DMC has implemented solutions connecting PLCs to LabVIEW on Windows and Real-Time targets for applications needing high-speed data acquisition and complicated processing for end-of-line testing.
Our custom PLC programming expertise integrates with Automated Test Equipment (ATE) to optimize test processes and ensure accuracy. PLCs can coordinate ATE components and automate test operations, streamlining the test process and improving accuracy.
Custom Test Stand Design
There is not always a one-size-fits-all solution for automated test systems. End-of-line testing systems may be needed in rugged environments or require connecting disparate sources. Fortunately, there are many options to customize test stands that meet specific testing requirements.
DMC's has deep experience in designing and fabricating custom test stands for various industries. Our services range from defining test requirements and designing the test stand architecture to developing the test automation software and designing custom PCBs for test interface signal routing. We can support you through the life cycle of the automated test stand, from integrating DAQ systems to validation and documentation, and ongoing support.
Whether you need a simple stand-alone controller or a facility-wide, customized testing system, our automated test stand designs will enhance your end-of-line testing capabilities. We have experience in designing and developing portable and modular test stands for testing in the field as well as integrating multiple locations as well as creating turnkey test stands.
Vision Inspection Systems
Vision inspection systems are another technology used in automated end-of-line testing that helps enhance accuracy in detecting defects and ensure product quality. Using advanced cameras, these systems can inspect products in the manufacturing at a level of detail that a human operator might miss. Vision systems streamline testing and guarantee the quality of products that make it off the production line to customers.
Many industries can benefit from utilizing vision inspection tools in end-of-line testing systems. Automotive production lines use vision systems to inspect components and ensure that they meet safety standards. The food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries use vision inspection systems to inspect their packaging and labels. In electronics manufacturing, vision inspection helps ensure product quality so that only products that meet standards become available to consumers.
DMC has more than 15 years of experience in creating robust vision inspection systems with a wide variety of vision inspection platforms, particularly the National Instruments (NI) platform. Many of our vision applications utilize NI LabVIEW for its ability to analyze and present data. As an NI Vision Specialty Partner, we are a recognized leader in providing vision inspection systems and software. Using our vision lab, we can optimize your system or determine the best solution for your potential application by specifying the ideal lighting, hardware, and software.
Industry Applications and Case Studies
DMC has experience automating end-of-line testing across a variety of industries and applications.
Automotive Industry
Automated end-of-line testing improves safety and reliability in automotive manufacturing. DMC can help enhance your automotive test capabilities from R&D and product development to validation, production, and quality testing. We've delivered successful automotive solutions including EV/battery test, vehicle electronics, powertrain, and infotainment as well as enterprise data management, test assets, and cloud-based storage and presentation.
For example, DMC developed a new end-of-line test station for a manufacturing line producing automotive sensors that programs and tests a variety of parts. Our automated end-of-line testing system reduced production time and costs, improved test accuracy, and identified common failure modes through tracking and analysis.
Battery and Clean Energy Industry
Automated test systems ensure the reliability and safety of battery packs and battery management system (BMS) in the energy industry. DMC can design, build, and program automated testing and validation systems for battery pack and battery management systems. Our modular test platform creates systems customized to the end user's specifications. DMC's custom test solutions ensure precise and reliable battery pack and BMS testing, resulting in optimal performance and safety.
The DMC Battery Production Test (BPT) System is a fully automated test solution with a modular design to meet the needs of battery production test regimens. The BPT System's capabilities include assembly and electrical verification tests, BMS verification tests, and power capability tests.
Consumer Products
End-of-line testing is critical in ensuring the functionality and durability of electronics and other consumer products. DMC has worked with major manufacturers to design and develop automated test systems for appliances and electronics.
In one instance, DMC worked with a manufacturer of consumer products to develop a turnkey appliance test lab. The solution included multiple custom-designed test stands to conduct tests on consumer products like dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, and more. The rugged systems allowed for week-long uninterrupted tests with easily searchable test data stored in a centralized location.
Medical Devices
Automated testing is a vital part of verifying compliance and safety in medical manufacturing. At DMC, we've worked with medical and pharmaceutical manufacturers to enhance test capabilities like end-of-line testing, vision inspection, rapid prototyping, thermal camera integration, high-speed testing, and flow rate or particulate measurement.
One of our medical solutions involved developing a vision system capable of inspecting a pharmaceutical product and the text on its packaging. It was crucial for DMC to meet the demands of the high-speed packaging line while ensuring the correct product size, identification, and labeling. Our solution inspected 100% of products and rejected products that didn't meet quality standards, increased production yield, and allowed for the inspection of various products.
Aerospace and Defense
Rigorous testing is imperative to validate the quality of the aerospace and defense industry's mission-critical systems. DMC's custom equipment spans all test domains from R&D through production. Our test system specialties include aircraft sensors, aircraft tires and landing gear, battery and energy storage systems, and communications protocols.
On one aerospace project, DMC worked with Arrow Science and Technology to develop a LabVIEW tester application that validates Power Bolt Nut Assemblies (PBNAs) that help attach cargo modules onto the International Space Station (ISS). DMC's solution can test up to four assemblies in parallel using high-speed data acquisition. It offers configurable test parameters and a user-friendly HMI that allows operators to view and log test data.
Why Partner with DMC
DMC's Industrial Automation division is a key benefit to partnering with DMC on implementing automated test systems. Our experience in manufacturing automation and system integration services for the industry ensures that our end-of-line test systems are designed with deep knowledge of how they fit into the broader production process and facility.
Our industrial automation services include interfacing factory lines with intelligent systems like Manufacturing Execution Systems, recipe management systems, SCADA systems. Reporting and productivity monitoring systems, and more. This industrial automation expertise is a valuable complement to DMC's production test systems.
Custom Solutions for Specific Needs
DMC can work alongside your team collaborating to develop tailored automated test systems based on your specific requirements or develop a custom turnkey system. These automated test systems ensure consistency, accuracy, and reliability in product testing.
By leveraging DMC's custom test solutions, manufacturers can achieve enhanced product quality, faster testing cycles, and reduced costs. Harnessing the real-time data captured by automated test systems allows manufacturers to pinpoint issues in production, streamline operations, and minimize expenses.
Expertise and Experience
Founded in 1996, DMC is a NI Preferred System Integrator and project-based engineering firm with nearly 300 employees and 15 locations across the US. As test and measurement automation experts, we design and deliver solutions for our customers around the world.
Our capabilities span from supporting your test system throughout the project life cycle to developing a turnkey test stand. We have engineers with extensive experience using a range of programming platforms, including LabVIEW, TestStand, and text-based languages, to meet our client's needs.