Monolithic Device Workstation

The new "Monolithic Device Workstation" is a very effective tool to connect a monolithic device (microSD card, eMMC flash memory chip, etc.) to electronic lab instruments such as oscilloscopes, logic states analyzers, ICs programmers, memory chip readers and more.

This tool uses acupuncture needles as nano-probes to reach even the smaller test points of a monolithic device. It is equipped with an interchangeable adapter to house different types of monolithic devices. The adapter for microSD cards is currently available, but new adapters for other types of devices will be available shortly.

To make it easier to keep in place the tip of the needles on the test points of the monolithic device under test, I have designed a custom stencil that exactly reproduces the location of all the test point to be connected. At the moment, it is available only the stencil for microSD having test points organized in a 6x4 grid, but I will release more stencils for different layouts in the next weeks. Custom stencils can also be designed on user request.

Please note: stencils require a high-resolution SLA 3D printer since the holes are too small and too close to be printed using an FDM 3D printer.

Post-Printing

Mount the part "Needle-Holder-T.stl" into the socket of the part "Needle-Holder-B.stl". If necessary, drop one or two drops of super-glue into the socket before assembling the two parts. Then insert an acupuncture needle into the slot of the small adapter. Finally, mount the needle-holders into the holes of the round base.

The optimal size of acupuncture needles is 0.30x50mm. Each needle must be bent about 90 degrees to a distance of 10mm from the tip. The needles should have a metallic handle and a round head to allow soldering of the electric wire.

The central interchangeable adapter can be securely held in place by mean of 4 small magnets (10mm diam.), two by each side of the adapter. Four more magnets can also be used to firmly keep the stencil onto the monolithic device under test.

In order to improve the stability of the contact between the tip of the acupuncture needle and the test point of a circuit trace on the microSD, I suggest using in advance a needle, lightly pressing it by fingers, to make a small engraved spot at the exact point where you want to place the probe later. In this way, the tip of the acupuncture needle will stay more easily steady on the target test point.