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Datest, a leading provider of advanced, efficient and mission-critical test engineering, X-ray inspection, failure analysis, flying probe, and in-circuit testing solutions, hosted a successful and well-attended open house on July 9 for the press, including US Tech, Global SMT & Packaging, Mexico EMS, Circuits Assembly, and SMT Today Magazines.

The group was treated to an up close and personal tour of Datest’s Fremont facility, showcasing its new Microfocus CT lab. A lead-shielded room houses the VJ Technologies custom microfocus vault 225kV X-ray CT system, which can X-ray parts up to 110 lb at resolutions as small as 5 microns. In CT scanning mode, the Microfocus system can compile as many as 6400 discrete projections or image slices into three-dimensional models, suitable for viewing using four different sets of modeling software (Fraunhofer Volex, VJT Vi3, and Volume Graphics VG Studio and VG Studio MAX).  Applications include digital radiography, volumetric comparisons, metrology, nominal/actual comparisons for additive manufacturing, and porosity analysis of castings, to name just a few of many capabilities. Support is provided by both Datest and VJT personnel, including Ph.D.-level analysts and operators, and NAS410-certified and ASNT Level II and Level III technicians.

“A large portion of our business is in quick-turn problem solving for customers with urgent needs,” commented Robert Boguski, President of Datest. “The addition of the microfocus lab is not a change of direction for Datest, but a natural expansion of the failure analysis services that we have been providing to the circuit board and EMS world for years. We are taking our increased knowledge and applying what we have learned to other sectors and industries, going well beyond PCBAs and electronics. Our key customer is an engineer with a problem requiring an immediate solution. Our goal is to provide that solution or at least a direction to pursue.” Robert added that Datest is now an active member of ASNT, the American Society for Non-Destructive Testing, and is able to draw on technical resources from that relationship as well.

Datest is the West Coast demonstration site for SPEA systems and has plans to install a SPEA 4080 flying probe test system in Fall 2018.

An ISO9001- and AS9100-certified company, Datest provides advanced test engineering and inspection services to the CM/EMS and OEM communities, and many other industries. The company, with over 30 years of expertise, offers in-circuit testing (ICT), flying probe testing, X-ray inspection, boundary scan/JTAG testing, functional testing, failure analysis and other related services. Datest is a member of IPC, SMTA, IEEE and ASNT.