Alstom Trains Use New PCB Design for ATC System
A new printed circuit board (PCB) design used for the backplane in Alstom’s Micro Cabmatic automatic train control (ATC) system employs conformal coating and press-fit connectors to improve reliability, performance and manufacturing cost.
The RoBAT can test virtually any size connector or board, from fine pitch signal connectors to power connections. Tens of thousands of test points, requiring all the measurements mentioned above, can be tested in less than 15 minutes. Moreover, its tooling (fixture) costs are typically less than $1,000, and the changeover time for a new product usually takes less than five minutes.
All this contributed to Harting-VAB’s ability to deliver Alstom’s first backplane prototypes within seven days of receiving the board layout engineering files. Production is taking place in this same ISO and IPC-A-610 certified facility. The board design and production has been so successful that Alstom made “press-fit after coating” the standard for all its backplanes.
Frank Ball is a key account manager for Harting of North America. Eric Nickerson is a product manager for Harting Integrated Solutions.
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- Next Page »
