Hanover Displays – Automated PCB Testing with Techman Robot
Hanover Displays, a UK manufacturer of passenger information systems for the public transport sector, partnered with LG Motion and Absolute Robotics to automate the testing of printed circuit boards (PCBs).
The result is a highly reliable, scalable automation solution that has now completed over one million automated PCB quality tests, significantly improving production efficiency and quality assurance.
The Challenge
As Hanover Displays brought PCB production back in-house, the business faced a critical challenge:
- Manual PCB testing required constant operator attention
- High volumes increased the risk of inconsistency and human error
- The process limited throughput and efficiency
- Skilled staff were tied up in repetitive, low-value tasks
With thousands of boards requiring inspection each year, Hanover needed a consistent, high-accuracy, and scalable testing solution.
The Solution
LG Motion, working with integration partner Absolute Robotics, delivered a fully automated PCB testing system using Techman collaborative robots (cobots).
Key features of the solution include:
- Automated loading and unloading of PCBs
- Integrated vision systems for inspection and LED sequence verification
- Seamless operation with existing test equipment
- Flexible tooling to accommodate multiple board types
- Continuous operation, including unattended overnight running
The system has expanded over time and now includes 11 Techman cobots (TM5-900 and TM12 models) operating across multiple production lines.
The Results
The implementation of collaborative robots has delivered measurable improvements across Hanover’s manufacturing operations:
- 1,000,000+ automated PCB tests completed
- First-time pass rate improved from 94% to 99.5%
- Consistent cycle times and repeatable quality
- Increased throughput with lights-out operation capability
- Full traceability of test results and performance data
- Skilled staff redeployed to higher-value activities
Automation has also strengthened collaboration between departments and improved how new products are designed and tested.
The Outcome
By combining collaborative robotics with custom tooling and automated test systems, Hanover Displays has achieved:
- Higher product quality and consistency
- Increased manufacturing efficiency
- Scalable automation to support growth
- A future-ready production environment
Reaching one million automated tests represents a major milestone and demonstrates the long-term value of collaborative robot automation in electronics manufacturing.
Looking to Automate Your Process?
LG Motion works with manufacturers across a wide range of industries to design and deliver tailored automation solutions.
If you are looking to improve quality, increase throughput, or reduce manual processes, get in touch to discuss your application.