Birmingham-based Brandauer (www.brandauer.co.uk), a leading producer of precision stamped parts, is successfully using a Starrett L2 force measurement system for the quality control of its EloPin press-fit solution — a product that enables a solderless, gas-tight and reliable connection of pins to a PCB.

The fast-growing electric-car industry and the trend towards smaller cars has led to a demand for robust, affordable and miniaturised electrical interconnection components.

The patented EloPin meets this demand, but it is available in diameters as small as 0.6mm, so it can pose a significant challenge in terms of pin-hole alignment and measurement of the insertion force, which is measured using a motorised mechanical frame, with a load cell and controlling software.

Leicestershire-based Optimax (www.optimaxonline.com), Starrett’s UK agent, designed and built a specialised jig for the Starrett L2, allowing various sizes of EloPin to be loaded and the measurements to be completed without operator alignment.

Adam Burgoyne, new product introduction and quality engineer at Brandauer, said: “We needed a purpose-built jig, which would have been difficult and time-consuming for us to make ourselves.

Optimax also provided full support, training and programming; they even sourced the test PCBs for us.”

Safety parameter programs were included within the jig. If the pins are mis-loaded onto the jig, or if a pin is bent and misses the hole, the increased insertion force causes the machine to stop.

The robust Starrett L2 machine can run throughout the day, testing every reel of 20,000 pins stamped. By simply changing the jig, Brandauer can also measure a second (American) press-fit solution and a range of products for its Chinese clients.