Huntron Product Overview
Flexible, automated diagnostic solutions to help people solve circuit card problems
Huntron's troubleshooting tools are well suited for use in PCB manufacturing and PCB repair environments. Utilize a Huntron Tracker system to analyze fallout from the production line functional test or screen sample PCBs for problems caused by wrong components, missing components or solder shorts. Troubleshoot field service returns without the requirements of board schematics or documentation.
Huntron Trackers®
The Huntron Tracker® product line has benchtop versions designed mostly for handheld troubleshooting methods and system versions mainly intended to be used
with accessories that automate the test process.
Benchtop Trackers include the Tracker 2800 and 2800S and interface to the PCB under test with test probes or DIP clips and cables. PCB troubleshooting
is typically accomplished by comparing signatures of a good board to those of the bad board. These units are
lower cost and work well as a complement to automated Tracker systems. Software control is optional with these Trackers.
Tracker systems include the Tracker Model 30 and TrackerPXI where a higher degree of hardware
and software control is necessary. These Trackers are primarily used with accessories such as Probers and Scanners which help automate the test process.
| Huntron Trackers - Power-off Diagnostic Test | ||
| Product | Description | Software Controlled? |
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Tracker Model 30 - PC controlled Huntron Tracker used for troubleshooting PCBs to the component level. Works in conjunction with the Huntron Workstation software. The Tracker Model 30 can be interfaced to Sacnners or Access Probers for test automation. | Yes - used with included Huntron Workstation software |
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TrackerPXI - Huntron Tracker used for troubleshooting PCBs to the component level. Designed to be used with existing PXI platforms. The TrackerPXI can be interfaced with custom switch cards and Access Probers for test automation. | Yes - used with included Huntron Workstation software |
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Tracker 2800 - Stand alone benchtop Tracker used for troubleshooting PCBs to the component level. Interfacing to the PCB is accomplished with handheld Huntron Microprobes. | Yes - used with optional Huntron Workstation software |
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Tracker 2800S - Stand alone benchtop Tracker used for troubleshooting PCBs to the component level. Interfacing to the PCB is accomplished with handheld Huntron Microprobes or with standard IC clips and cables interfaced to the built-in scanner connection on the front panel. | Yes - used with optional Huntron Workstation software |
Huntron Scanners and Access Probers
Huntron also manufactures accessories for the Tracker Model 30 and TrackerPXI that can save significant test time compared to testing manually. The accessories are the Scanner II and Scanner 31S
and Huntron Access Automated Probing Stations.
The Scanners are a useful switching matrix that allows for cable style interfaces to be connected to the Tracker Model 30. These cable interfaces could be DIP Clip cables,
custom cables that connect to PCB connectors, or interfaces to a bed of nails.
The Huntron Access Probers literally automates the probing process allowing for fast and accurate interfacing to points on a circuit card. This is especially useful when dealing with fine pitch
surface mounted ICs where probing by hand is very difficult to accomplish. Three Access Probers are currently available- the standard size single head Access Prober, the larger single head Access 2 Prober
and the dual head Access DH Prober.
| Huntron Scanners for the Tracker Model 30 - Connect to PCBs with cable based interfaces | ||
| Image | Description | Software Controlled? |
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Scanner II (30S) - This dual channel Scanner is designed to connect to the Tracker Model 30 and allow for use of cable style interfaces such as IC clips and cables or custom cables to PCB connectors. | Yes - used with Tracker Model 30 and Huntron Workstation software |
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Scanner 31S - This single channel Scanner is designed to connect to the Tracker Model 30 and offers a lower cost method to use cable interfaces such as IC clips and cables or custom cables to PCB connectors. | Yes - used with Tracker Model 30 and Huntron Workstation software |
| Huntron Access Probers - Automation for Tracker Model 30, TrackerPXI and more | ||
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Huntron Access DH - Dual head robotic prober with an open architecture design that alows for connection of many types of test instrumentation including the Huntron Tracker Model 30. The Access DH has two probeheads for true point-to-point testing of points on a PCB. | Yes - uses Huntron Workstation or custom software |
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Huntron Access 2 - The larger of the two Huntron Access single head Probers. With a bed size of 22” x 23” (56cm x 58cm), this platform is designed to handle larger PCBs. | Yes - uses Huntron Workstation or custom software |
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Huntron Access - The Huntron Access is a single head Prober with a bed size of 19.4” x 14” (49.3cm x 35.6cm). This robotic platform is well suited for testing many PCBs where the larger size of the Access 2 Prober is not needed. | Yes - uses Huntron Workstation or custom software |
Service Electronics
The typical service electronics environment requires a number of different test technologies. Oscilloscopes, digital multimeters (DMMs) and
Huntron Trackers all have a place in the electronics service facility. A Huntron Tracker fills a specific niche where lack of documentation
or the ability to power-on the PCB can normally hamper troubleshooting. It is a perfect complement to the arsenal of troubleshooting
tools on your workbench as it makes it possible to troubleshoot any board at any time.
The ability to test a circuit board without the need to power it ON is beneficial for several reasons:
- the risk to the PCB is reduced
- you are troubleshooting the PCB to the component level regardless of board function
- reduces fixturing or test bed costs by eliminating the need to power ON the PCB
- the need for documentation is reduced or eliminated.
Circuit Board Repair
A curve tracer style of in-circuit board testing allows troubleshooting of resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, MOSFETs, ICs and most other components.
This power-off in-circuit component troubleshooting technique applies a sine wave stimulus to a component creating a voltage vs. current signature. This
technique allows a trained technician to locate damaged and marginal components.
Software enhances power-off diagnostics by providing storage of signatures from know good circuit cards. The software maintains testing parameters
for performing repeatable test.