Manufacturing Defect Analysis (MDA) Testing

Bittele Electronics offers a wide variety of testing and inspection options to our clients for every stage of the PCB Assembly Process, each with its own advantages and applications. MDA Testing is a method usually applied for large-scale production orders, and functions as a pared down version of In-Circuit Testing (ICT). Both of these methods employ a “Bed of Nails” fixture that is able to quickly test connectivity of the finished PCB against a client’s Netlist file.

MDA Testing is normally performed after Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) and final Visual Inspection is complete. MDA Testing is not one of our Standard PCB Options, and is not available for Prototype PCB Assembly or Low-Volume PCB Assembly orders; clients who require this service should be aware that they will likely incur some additional cost and lead time for their project. Each PCB project is unique, so part of the time and cost requirement for MDA Testing is the design and development of a custom fixture for the project. Once a fixture is built, the testing process itself is quite rapid, but Fixtureless PCB Testing is much more efficient for lower-volume orders.

The main difference between MDA Testing and ICT is that MDA Testing only tests for connectivity on the board, similar to PCB Electrical Testing, while ICT checks specific voltage and current levels throughout the PCB. When you submit your request for MDA Testing, our highly trained engineering team will carefully review your PCB Design Files, and develop a targeted testing workflow, and begin working on the design for your custom test fixture. After testing is complete, we will generate a test report for your review, so you can get a clear picture of exactly how your boards held up.

If you still find yourself with any questions about Bittele’s MDA Testing capabilities, or to send in the PCB Design Files for your PCB project today, please feel free to Contact Us any time! You can reach us over email at sales@7pcb.com, or call us toll-free at 1-888-812-1949.

Bittele is a full-service provider of low-cost Canada-Based PCB Assembly solutions. In business since 2003, we have established ourselves as a leader in the PCB production industry, and we offer a variety of tailored solutions to meet your specific needs.