Continual investment in new hardware ensures Action Circuits maintains maximum throughput, even when programming the latest technology devices
In today’s complex and ever-changing electronics manufacturing environment, the highest quality standards must be maintained to properly program devices. As a major provider in the European device programming service industry, Action Circuits boasts many years of experience, ensuring that every part is processed and handled to the highest quality standards.
The process starts with the creation of a first article agreement. This ensures that Action Circuits captures any relevant settings specific to the customer’s requirements. Once this is complete, parts are programmed and shipped, typically on the same day.
Hardware investment
Devices are programmed on a range of hardware using silicon manufacturer approved algorithms. Action Circuits operates the latest technology including fully automated robotic programmers, which enables the company to offer an optimal service, matching customer requirements with the correct hardware.
As part of the programming operation, devices are verified twice. Action then has the option to laser mark a customer’s part number, or logo onto each device. Alternatively, it can apply a heat resistant label, or for small components, a coloured paint dot.
Whether customers require programming in prototype quantities, small production volumes or programming for mass production, Action Circuits aims to offer unrivalled levels of quality and throughput for any type of programmable device available on the market today.
Supporting device development
When looking for a company to burn software into chips, it may seem a simple process, but it is essential to choose a company with up-to-date algorithms, as well as optimum ESD protection and handling procedures to ensure parts are not damaged during the process.
There are many device types and several associated file formats used to program data into these devices. New formats are always emerging, like the Actel APA devices with the STAPL file format. There are also common formats, such as PIC devices, which range from the PIC16C54 and PIC12C508 through to the PIC12F, PIC16F84, PIC16LF, dsPIC and rfPIC family devices.
TI also has a large range of TMS430 devices that Action Circuits can program in large volume batches, while also retaining support for TIBPAL devices. Furthermore, Action offers full support for the National COP range of microcontrollers, as well as fully supporting Spansion NAND flash and NOR flash.
With technology continually moving forward, there is a constant demand for investment, with new device package styles requiring new socket modules, or multiple socket modules for volume programming.
Rapid service
Whatever devices need to be programmed, Action Circuits aims to offer a service second to none. Once the program has been delivered via email, including all the settings required, and devices have been received, Action Circuits can begin to process customer requirements. A first article agreement process helps ensure samples are customer approved. This is invaluable since increasingly complex options and security settings for many devices, make it essential that customers can rely on Action to program memory or microcontrollers with the correct settings every time.
