May 2008 — atg Luther & Maelzer GmbH, in cooperation with the Capital Equipment Group (CEG) of Everett Charles Technologies, introduces the LM800 Picomat universal grid tester for bare boards.

As the world’s first Octal Density (35 mil) Universal Grid Tester, the LM800 Picomat doubles the actual 50 mil density, which is the current industry standard. Until now, certain high-technology PCBs could only be tested with dedicated testers. However, the LM800 Picomat changes that by testing high-technology PCBs with a throughput reaching up to 800 boards per hour.

Designed for the electrical test of bare board PCBs, the LM800 Picomat features octal density, simple fixtures, an ARES measuring system, full automation and high throughput. Additionally, it provides users with numerous benefits including high volume, high-density PCBs that are testable with a universal grid tester, lower fixture costs compared to a dedicated tester and the ability to make fixtures in-house.

LM800 Picomat serves all high-technology mobile phone PCB manufacturers worldwide and boasts a patented switch card technology that makes it feasible and affordable, as well as an advanced, simple fixture design with less pin deflection.

Developed by the Luther & Maelzer group in Wunstrof, Germany and supported by the atg group in Wertheim, Germany, LM800 Picomat is designed to meet the challenge of testing the new generation of smaller, higher density mobile phone PCBs with 0.3 mm BGAs.

atg Luther & Maelzer GmbH, headquartered at Wertheim and Wunstorf, is the undisputed market leader worldwide for the electrical test of bare printed circuit boards with an annual turnover of 45 million EUR and approximately 1,680 active test systems installed worldwide.