Implementing Test Systems with Tecap
A new test system rarely starts completely from scratch. In most cases, products, test strategies, measurement instruments, test programs, or experience from existing systems already exist and need to be incorporated into the new solution.
Tecap provides the ready-made software foundation for this. The platform already includes the core functions required to develop, operate, and organize automated test systems. Instead of developing custom runtime software for every project, implementation can focus on the actual testing task and the integration of the required hardware.
- develop and structure test programs
- integrate measurement instruments and interfaces
- manage product variants and system configurations
- implement production workflows
- identify and trace DUTs
- store and analyze results
- manage roles and permissions
- develop test projects from the first prototype through to production
A Ready-Made Platform as the Starting Point
The Fundamental Tasks Are Already Solved
Tecap is not a software construction kit from which a new application first has to be programmed for every project.
Test planning, test execution, instrument control, variant management, result data, user management, and production functions are all part of the platform and provide a common foundation for different test systems.
This avoids creating project-specific runtime software whose core functions then have to be maintained individually over many years.
The Project Starts with Your Testing Task
Project-specific work is focused where test systems actually differ:
- DUT and test strategy
- required measurement instruments
- signal routing
- adapters and contacting
- product and variant logic
- system handling
- communication with PLC, MES, or other customer systems
These tasks are integrated into Tecap through the interfaces provided for this purpose.
From Requirements to the Test Program
Test Planning Directly in Tecap
The structure of the future test program can already be created with Tecap Test Planner during the concept phase.
Requirements specifications, test specifications, or existing test procedures can thus be turned into a tangible model of the future project at an early stage.
This plan is more than documentation. It already forms the foundation for the later test program and can be extended and refined step by step during implementation.
- structure requirements
- define test steps
- account for product variants
- assign measurement tasks and instruments
- make workflows visible at an early stage
Integrate Measurement Instruments Flexibly
Tecap is not tied to a specific manufacturer or fixed instrument platform.
Existing or newly selected measurement instruments are integrated into Tecap through the instrument interfaces. If an instrument is not yet included in the instrument library, the required integration can be added as part of the project.
Typical platforms and interfaces include, for example:
- PXI and LXI
- PCI and GPIB
- USB and serial interfaces
- switching matrices and multiplexers
- CAN and other bus systems
- customer-specific instruments and interfaces
From the Test Program into Production
Tecap connects the test program with the processes surrounding the actual test.
These may include, for example:
- selection of the released test program
- product identification via barcode or 2D code
- serial number management
- control of adapters and contacting stations
- communication with PLCs and system components
- handling of passed and failed parts
- label printing
- traceability
- data recording and result analysis
- integration with MES, traceability, and customer systems
The platform provides the general functions. The interfaces and workflows arising from the specific production environment are adapted as required.
A System That Can Continue to Evolve
A test system changes over its life cycle. Products gain new variants, measurement instruments are replaced, and production processes evolve.
With Tecap, the underlying software platform remains in place. New requirements can be integrated into the existing project structure without having to build new runtime software for every extension.
- A ready-made software platform instead of project-specific core development.
- Open to different measurement instruments and system architectures.
- Clearly defined interfaces for project-specific requirements.
- From the first test program through to long-term production use.