Relationship of fully automated electronic manufacturing, automatic electronic testing and the FCIM environment

A goal for the Joint Center - Flexible Computer Integrated Manufacturing (FCIM) is the rapid delivery of small volumes of replacement circuit cards at moderate cost. While the overall FCIM program is targeted to mechanical and electronic assemblies, this paper is limited to the automated fabrication and testing of electronics. It describes a proposed approach that can remove many of the roadblocks by unifying available tools, technologies, and standards within the acquisition and manufacturing community to form a rapid production capability; goal that also has a direct application for the commercial world