Development Background

In recent years, packaging density has been increasing for SMT ICs, LCDs, fine-pitch glass substrates, and other electronic components. This has allowed such components to incorporate more and more sophisticated functions in electronic equipment. At the same time, these electronic components have a very large number of pins and electrode pads, and they are laid out very close to each other on a PCB. Inspection of electronic components uses a probe pin. Such high-density devices require inspection of many areas, so multiple probe pins must be placed with a very small spacing between each.

A probe pin typically has a cylindrical shape and consists of multiple parts, namely plungers (contacts), a coil spring, and a barrel to house them. Due to this configuration, the conventional probe pin has several drawbacks, which make it difficult to meet a customer's requirements for fine-pitch, multi-point inspection.

These drawbacks include:

• Limitations as to how far a probe pin's diameter can be reduced using the conventional cutting process, which makes it difficult to support finer pitches.
• Because the probe pin consists of multiple parts, the conduction path becomes complex, thus making contact resistance unstable.
• Making the spring's coil diameter smaller increases conductor resistance, causing heat generation and the spring's disconnection.

OMRON overcame these problems by creating a new structure using the company's proprietary electroforming technology. The result is an electroformed probe pin that has a structure entirely different from that of a conventional probe pin.

Features

1. Flat structure makes it easier to reduce pitch
   With a conventional probe pin with a cylindrical structure, the molding of a thinner socket becomes extremely difficult in the case of a fine pitch. OMRON's electroformed probe pin employs a flat structure, which enables placement of pins at any angle, thus making it easier to reduce pitch compared to a conventional cylindrical probe pin. It is also possible to use a general cylindrical socket housing with the flat probe pin.

   

2. High-precision formation of versatile shapes enables creation of separate spring and barrel sections in a single component
   OMRON's proprietary, advanced electroforming technology capable of forming versatile shapes enables a single component to incorporate a spring section to provide contact force and durability, and a barrel section that turns on power when it fits the plunger, separate from each other. No electricity flows through the miniaturized spring section, thus solving such problems as excessive temperature rise, the spring section's disconnection, and unstable resistance.

3. Quick delivery of customized products is possible as no die is necessary
   OMRON's electroforming technology eliminates the necessity for costly investment in press dies and other equipment, as well as the time-consuming die-making process for prototyping and mass production of probe pins. Specific demand for customized non-standard specifications can be satisfied speedily.

4. Other benefits brought about by OMRON's electroforming technology:
   OMRON's probe pin provides a smooth contact end surface that protects objects to be inspected from damage. It can also have multiple miniaturized contacts, and offers high durability through the use of OMRON's original material.

   

Applications

A contact pin for inspection of semiconductors, glass substrates, LCDs, PCBs, etc.

Factory in Charge

Yasu Plant, OMRON Corporation

Specifications of New Probe Pin

Electroformed Probe

Reference

Terminal Shape Formation through Electroforming Technology

Electroforming is a metal forming process that forms ultra-thin metal components through the electroplating process. The components are produced by developing a layer of metal onto a base form (master). Once the plated layer has been built up to the desired thickness, this newly formed part is stripped off the master substrate. Electroforming enables high-precision production of extremely small, thin and fine parts. OMRON also produces dies using microfabrication technology to meet more exacting needs for shapes and sizes, thus enabling transfer of a pattern with submicron-scale (0.0001mm) accuracy.

OMRON's small battery connector using subminiature electroformed contacts now employed for smartphones

Visit the website below for more information about OMRON's micro contacts and electroforming technology

About OMRON

Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, OMRON Corporation is a global leader in the field of automation. Established in 1933, and headed by President Yoshihito Yamada, OMRON has more than 36,000 employees in over 35 countries working to provide products and services to customers in a variety of fields including industrial automation, electronic components, social systems, healthcare, and the environment. The company has regional head offices in Singapore (Asia Pacific), Beijing (Greater China), Amsterdam (Europe, Africa, and the Middle East), Chicago (the Americas), Gurgaon (India), and Sao Paulo (Brazil).
For more information, visit OMRON's website at https://www.omron.com/