Retesting in electronics manufacturing is a hidden time-thief that costs companies dearly in both resources and money. Many repeatedly test their products – often in the hope of a different result – but this can have serious consequences for both the business and its customers.
At CB Svendsen, we work purposefully to minimise unnecessary retests, because we know that the right testing strategy not only reduces waste, but also safeguards quality and saves companies significant costs.
The problemet with repeated testing
Retesting may sound harmless – but in reality, it takes up valuable capacity on testing equipment, increases unit and production costs, and can ultimately have a negative impact on product quality.
It often happens because test operators mistakenly believe that the test equipment is at fault, and they rerun the test until the product passes. But what if the fault is genuine? A product could end up in the hands of a customer when it should never have left the factory.
The consequences of repeated testing
Troubleshooting through retesting can lead to:
- Reduced testing capacity: Test systems are unnecessarily occupied, creating bottlenecks in production.
- Higher production costs: Repeated tests require time, equipment, and personnel – all of which cost money.
- Quality issues: Products that should not be approved may slip through the testing phase, potentially causing malfunctions for the customer.
Identifying and reducing retests
To combat unnecessary retesting, it is crucial to have visibility into test data and understand where and why repetitions occur. Many companies lack the right overview and tools to address this, which is why the problem continues to go unnoticed.
An approach to reducing retesting can include:
- Data analysis and pattern identification – By monitoring test data in real time, recurring fault types can be identified and addressed at the source.
- Accurate test limits – Unclear or overly strict test limits can lead to unnecessary failure registrations.
- Optimisation of test equipment and methods – Continuous evaluation ensures that errors are not caused by poor calibration or worn-out equipment.
A Data-driven testing strategy at CB Svendsen
At CB Svendsen, we have made it our mission to help companies minimise testing costs and maximise product quality. We design and build our own testing equipment, giving us full control over the testing process and the ability to adapt tests to each individual product.
We also have a dedicated statistician who analyses test data and identifies patterns that could indicate potential issues. By using advanced data analysis, we can predict faults and correct them before they become costly problems.
Retesting is a problem – but it can be solved
If your products often have to go through repeated testing, it might be time to look at why this is happening. With the right testing strategies and data-driven solutions, you can reduce costs, improve product quality, and optimise your production process.
At CB Svendsen, we are ready to help – contact us today to learn more about how we can make your testing process more efficient.