Custom Built Test Instruments
I designed and built many custom "engineered" Test Instruments. They
were not prefect, as only one or two were fabricated. That means it
will be
costly to produce such instruments. It is just like tooling, you have
to make some numbers to
recover costs, or price it very high to compensate for the wastages and
iterations. But things are better off now for building custom
instruments. Yet a design firm has to make modules and keep ready, then
put together a solution/system, program and ship.
When making custom equipment, you have to have an extended service
agreement like 5 years. Also request a minimum order of at least
5. Make your R&D and Inventory Modular. That way it is
profitable and some money available for reinvestment on instruments and
Equipment for calibration and quality.
Transistor Beta and Vce Tester
This was a Beta Hfe and Vce Measuring Instrument used in Incoming
Inspection of Power Transistors made by me 20 years back.
Related Resources -
Measureall Workbench Test Instrument
This was a Student Project of mine, it is a very basic
instruments that could do most of the tasks on a test bench.
The cabinet used, was available as a part of a Hi-Fi DIY
System, The
Range and Mode switches were Modular Stackable Interlocked MultiPole
Switches. The rest of the Interface were wirewound pots, jacks, sockets
and plugs. The front panel was Engraved Acrylic, the panel was the
toughest issue we tackled.
I wanted it to look well
engineered, at least on the outside. It was a total analog instrument
except for the digital indication of ICL7107.
Thanks to ‘Intersil Hot Ideas’ Applications Book.
The above circuits belong to an instrument Measureall shown below.
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