CODA-PIN Contact Probes & Interfacing Components

Assembly Type B - Assembly information for receptacles with a stop-collar.

Probe Plate
A receptacle is normally fitted into a block or into a board called the probe plate. The block can be made from plastic such as nylon. A probe plate can be made of resin-laminated fibreglass, eg. G10 or FR4, or other materials; such as Perspex or polycarbonate. The thickness should be such that it will support the total spring pressure of all probes without significant bending. For a very large density of test probes installed into a probe plate, it may be necessary to put some support pillars underneath to minimise probe plate flex. The probe plate should have a thickness of 8-10mm.

Installation
A receptacle which features a stop-collar is intended to 'interference-fit' into a drilled hole in the probe plate. This fitment will hold the receptacle firmly once installed. Some gluing may be required, depending on the nature of the material. The collar of the receptacle is normally left flush with the top of the probe plate.

Tools
Special receptacle insertion tools are available for most ranges. This type of tool has been designed to install the receptacle without damaging the top aperture or the tube wall. Please see more details in the Tools & Accessories section.

Drills
A variety of drill bits and sizes is available to drill the hole in the probe plate. For plastic probe plates, a slow speed drill is desirable to avoid melting and subsequent receptacle looseness and mis-alignment. For glass fibre materials, a carbide-tipped drill run at high speed (greater than 10,000rpm) is preferable to avoid drill wander caused by the glass strands. You can find the full range of drill bits in the Tools & Accessories section. Where the test fixture has a large number of probes spread over a large area, it is recommended that a CNC-controlled milling machine should be run from the PCB CAD program. After installing the receptacle, and the cable attached, the probe is pushed fully home so that the probe's collar meets the receptacle's collar, and the probe is retained by the detents on the side of the receptacle.

Series which use this type of assembly:
PS3, PS6, PS8, PS9, PD3, PC8, PD1, PK, PC3, PC4