In-Circuit Test Chanel Partner Interview Series

Gary St. Onge P.E.

Director of Global Kits and US/China Operations, Everett Charles Technologies, Clifton Park, New York Gary began his career in ATE in 1977 at Fault Finders, Inc. The roots of this company later became a part of ECT, and since then, Gary has been involved with Management, Engineering, and Operations around the world. Gary presently holds 10 U.S. patents related to ATE, and has 20 published articles to his credit. Gary holds B.S.M.E and M.S.M.E degrees from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. and has been a licensed Professional Engineer since 1986.

 Navigating the in-circuit test (ICT) challenges of today requires a synergy with fixture and programming houses. This article series launched with a focus on programming houses. It is now that we venture into the fixture house side of the business. As a way to provide some educational information to our install base, an interview series with ixture houses that we regularly work with is underway. Recently, the Americas Development Manager associated with our ICT products, Stacy Johnson sat down with Gary St. Onge. Gary St. Onge is the Director of Global Kits and US/China Operations at Everett Charles Technologies. 

Johnson: What changes has your company seen within the ICT ixture industry for the last 5 years or so? 

St. Onge: The migration of the electronics assembly to low cost regions around the world is by far the largest change. Regions like China, Eastern Europe and Brazil are the real boom areas for the Automated Test Equipment (ATE) suppliers.

 Johnson: What do you think is driving that? 

St. Onge: pressures from every level of the manufacturing chain are the main driver. Every company needs to be cost competitive and no one wants to be left behind.

Johnson: What are you doing to respond? 

St. Onge: Everett Charles Technologies has setup facilities in China and Hungary to support and service the areas where migration has occurred. In addition to a large fixture facility, we have also established a kit factory in China for all of our major components and kits. We have a long term partnership in Brazil that services that area using our hardware and technology. The market demanded globalization, and we have supported that demand.

 Johnson: What technology changes with ICT do you see impacting the fixturing industry the most? 

St. Onge: Existing technologies developed by Everett Charles Technologies such as Smart File Fixtures, 1mm pitch technology, dual stage for boundary scan, and LED testing are able to satisfy most current technology needs and, low cost, quick delivery cycles. But ECT has always been known for its innovation, and we continue to look forward, and are now developing the next generation fixture. Our current R&D focus is for a new fixture solution which will dramatically reduce both cost and delivery time of test fixtures, while allowing a .8mm pitch testing. We also anticipate the signal quality of these new fixtures will improve measurably, which has been a troublesome area for boundary scan fixtures. The new product is scheduled for release to the marketplace in mid 2009, and of course we are working with Keysight Technologies, Inc. on this new solution. 

Johnson: What beneits does having a channel partnership with Keysight provide your customers? 

St. Onge: When we work together as partners, we become solution providers. These solutions can be technical in nature, or they can be reactions to market pressures such as quicker cycle times and reduced costs. The other benefit often overlooked is customer support. As work moves to the low cost regions, we find that the user’s technical expertise may be very limited. And so it becomes a huge benefit to work together in support of our mutual customer. When the end user is successful, we share in the reward, and so it is essential to be partners with Keysight.